Canvassing in Chile by Thomas H. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1909

Canvassing in Chile

By Thomas H. Davis

Soon after the Chile conference in Santiago, the writer started north to visit the canvassers in the field. At Valparaiso I found Brother Farias and wife, who had but recently moved there from Santiago, much encouraged, especially in selling the Señales. Elder E. Balada had begun selling the two thousand he had ordered, and was being helped in the sales by his oldest son.

I then took a German steamer to Caldera, where I began selling books and taking subscriptions for the Señales. It had been about eight years since I was there, but I found it just as easy to sell books as then. At Copiapo, about three hours' ride by rail from Caldera, Brother Morales waited for me with his coach at the station. What a joy it was to me to meet some of these brethren, who were the first to accept the truth some years ago.

On leaving for the north, it happened that another rapid steamer was in port, and brought me to Taltal in about twelve hours, that being quicker time than is made by other steamers. Here at Taltal we have a canvasser who has worked for some time, but was somewhat behind. We worked together, and he was pleased to learn that he could take orders for large books. The last day we worked together, he took five orders, and I fourteen, before we had breakfast. The Friday before I had taken twenty-eight orders in five hours, valued at two hundred fifty-two dollars (Chilean). For the hours I put in, I averaged about four and a half orders an hour. These native brethren have gone out full of zeal, but without instructions, and it is surprising to see how they stay with the work.

There are at least three cities on the coast where we could use about six good American canvassers to advantage. Valparaiso in the south, and Antofagasta and Iquique in the north, are full of English-speaking people, so the workers could sell many books immediately, while learning the language. These brethren would be a help to the native canvassers.

From here I expect to visit Iquique, then go to Peru to help Brother A. N. Allen instruct some canvassers there. We expect soon to have the coast literally sown with our publications.

THOMAS H. DAVIS.