p. 15 | Two Pennsylvania Institutes by I. D. Richardson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1908

Two Pennsylvania Institutes

By I. D. Richardson

The canvassers’ institute in eastern Pennsylvania opened March 15, at Scranton, with a good number of canvassers, which increased until we had the largest class of the season. The institute was splendidly provided for. Elder W. H. Heckman, and his committee were very liberal in providing a good, old-fashioned institute; yet it was so managed that the expense was not large. Elder Heckman was with us part of the time, and rendered very acceptable help, giving some practical suggestions which were appreciated by all. Having been a practical canvasser, his remarks were right to the point.

The institute was held in some large rooms formerly occupied by the Y. W. C. A., having kitchen, dining-room, recitation-room, and three large bedrooms, which accommodated all very nicely. This kept all the canvassers together so we always had a full class. Brother Holman and his wife kept the house, and furnished us with a good, healthful diet, and also kept good order.

Brother Holman, who was elected State agent at the conference in November, has been working hard for the canvassing work in eastern Pennsylvania, and with the co-operation of other conference workers has been successful in persuading quite a number to enter the work. All in attendance seemed to sense the great responsibility resting upon them in placing before the people the warning of the third angel as quickly as possible.

We were much pleased to have with us S. W. Curtiss, of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, who seemed anxious that there should be no missing link, from the call-boy in the publishing house to the canvassers in the field, but that a golden thread should pass from heart to heart. All agreed that we as workers in the field should remember at the throne of grace the faithful workers shut up in the publishing house.

As the coming camp-meeting is to be held at Scranton, it was thought best to hold the institute there,—a wise plan, for several of the Scranton church who kept dropping into our meetings became interested, and will join our force of workers, and work in Scranton; we trust that in this way many may be interested in the truth, and led to attend the camp-meeting. Much canvassing has been done in the vicinity of Scranton, and it is believed that the camp-meeting will be well attended.

At the close of the institute each canvasser was able to give a good, fluent canvass of his book, besides managing many other difficult problems which generally confront a canvasser, especially at the door.

The institute closed with a good, live meeting, and every canvasser present was determined by the help of God to be faithful, and put in good time, working forty hours a week.

The western Pennsylvania institute opened March 29 with some earnest students, and a number of experienced canvassers present. The acting president, Elder I. N. Williams, was present the first part of the institute, and conducted some excellent Bible studies for us, but was compelled by press of other duties to leave soon. Elder J. W. Watt, a member of the conference committee, continued with us, and gave an interesting course of studies on the law of God. The institute was held at Johnstown, in the Seventh-day Adventist church. As at Scranton, some of the Johnstown members became quite concerned over their inactivity, and one took training for the work, and will enter it at once; another will, I think, arrange to enter the field soon.

We had an earnest class of students, and I believe that we shall see western Pennsylvania do good work with our good books from this time forth. The mining outlook seemed a little dark for a time, but now the cloud looks bright and shining.

Brother Bigelow has worked hard to build up the canvassing work, and we are pleased to see a number responding with the answer, “Here am I; send me.” Some in western Pennsylvania are taking up the health books; those who have been handling them report excellent success, though they have not been working in the best of territory.

Our institutes this spring have proved a great blessing to the churches where they have been held; on the last Sabbath of the institute we held a revival service for the Johnstown church, which proved a great blessing to all; feathers, ribbons, and jewelry were spoken against; the reproof was received kindly, and a whole-hearted consecration followed. There was a real sorrow for sin, and all felt that they must do all in their power to warn the people of Johnstown of a greater calamity than they have ever experienced,—the wrath to come.

We shall look with interest for some good reports from western Pennsylvania in the near future.

I. D. RICHARDSON, General Agent, Columbia Union Conference.