E. R. CHENEY by E. R. Cheney

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1908

E. R. CHENEY

By E. R. Cheney

Thoughts from One Who Has Earned a Scholarship.—Have you been wishing to attend one of our academies? Why wish longer? Financial circumstances need not hinder you. The scholarship plan now affords the means whereby any young man or woman may secure a year's schooling. The canvassing work is a school, in which you are both teaching and learning,—teaching the beautiful truths which God has intrusted to us as a people; and learning how to do better the work of the Lord.

When I entered the field last summer, my experience was somewhat limited. I found that success is spelled W-O-R-K. Do not enter the canvassing work with the thought that you will find it easy. Perhaps there are as many or more difficulties in canvassing than in any other branch of work; but the lessons learned, the tact and discipline acquired, will prepare one for other fields of usefulness.

“All branches of work connected with the third angel's message need men and women of self-culture and polished manners, not the artificial manners of the world; but the agreeable manners that are the natural result of kindness of heart and a desire to copy the example of Christ—men and women who have cultivated thoughtful, care-taking habits,—habits of industry and discretion,—who seek to honor God by making of themselves all that it is possible for them to become.”—“Gospel Workers,” page 347.

The canvassing work is the best way to cultivate these attributes. I know no reason why any young man or woman, who is willing to work, and desires to gain a Christian education, should be kept from attending one of our academies. Wherever one goes, he will find some one who is willing to help him in securing means to attend school. The Lord also will be with you. He has said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” No one knows the truth of this text better than the God-fearing, truth-loving canvasser. I was engaged all summer in securing my scholarship, but let me repeat that I was new at canvassing. The coming summer's canvassing should bring the same results in a shorter time. Experience is a help in any work. Do not think, though, that because you have not had experience, you can not earn a scholarship; for you can. After you have earned a scholarship, and attended school one year, you will, I am sure, enter the field the following summer. In the words from the manual for canvassers I would say, “Let us who have been in school go out into the field, and put to a practical use the knowledge we have gained. If we will do this, using the ability that God has given us, seeking counsel from him, and combining the work of selling books with personal labor for the people, our talents will increase by exercise, and we will learn many practical lessons which we could not possibly learn in school.