The Ohio Colporteurs’ Institute by I. D. Richardson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 10, 1916

The Ohio Colporteurs’ Institute

By I. D. Richardson

THE Ohio Colporteurs’ Institute was held in Cleveland December 29 to January 9. Because of another institute’s coming at the same time it was impossible for me to reach Cleveland until the institute was about half over. The interest was the best that I have seen in my twenty-two years’ connection with the publishing work. The attendance was not only large, but those present gave evidence of having been called to the colporteur work. The spirit of devotion and consecration was excellent.

All seemed to realize that this is a great soul-winning work, and that all associated with it must first have a deep Christian experience and constantly be led by the divine hand.

When the subject of the right use of our time was presented, it was agreed by all that if one has a great longing for the salvation of souls, he will put in full time. In concluding the study on time, the workers were asked how many would agree to put in 1,600 hours in 1916. Over 36,000 hours were pledged.

A goal of $50,000 was set for the new year, and the meeting closed with the courage of all renewed.

The accompanying picture will convince one that Ohio has a fine large corps of sturdy men and women with which to reach the new goal. They have but one ambition, and that is to win souls by giving the message.

We confidently expect to see a great work done in Ohio this year. Quite a number of the older colporteurs were not at the institute, and we are sorry that not all who attended were present when the picture was taken; some had gone home, and two were away from the church at that hour. Brother Punches, the field missionary secretary, and Brother Reichenbaugh, his assistant, are hard at work with these workers in the field, endeavoring to help every one to make a success.

The Virginia institute was held at Richmond with the largest attendance of any I have ever attended in the “Old Dominion.” Like the Ohio institute, the spirit of consecration and devotion was excellent, and the workers seemed to realize that they were called to this definite line of work. We expect to see a great work done in Virginia during 1916 in the sale of our literature. Brother George, the missionary field secretary, is greatly encouraged at the outlook, and I never saw a better outlook for the canvassing work in Virginia.

I. D. RICHARDSON, Union Miss. Field Sec.