Canvassers’ Institute in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
By JOHN LIPKE
For some time we have seen the need of a revival in the canvassing work. Discouraging experiences with canvassers, the dropping of old methods, difficulties in shipping the books to the canvassers, time lost in waiting for books, and other matters not to be mentioned here, have contributed to the decline of the canvassing work, so that only two canvassers were left, and these worked only part of the time. During our last conference a field missionary agent was appointed, and we decided to hold a canvassers’ institute the following month with those who were willing to try. You will notice that I say “try.” A canvasser in this field has to meet peculiar difficulties not to be found in other fields. We were indeed glad to welcome nine persons, three married and six single men at Taquary, to take part in the institute. Brother Brack and the writer gave the instruction. From the very beginning we received the blessings of God, the Holy Spirit being our instructor. We studied the Bible, the “Testimonies” on the canvassing work, the books they were expected to sell, and drilled each canvasser to give a fluent canvass of his book. Objections that a canvasser generally has to meet were also studied, and it was shown how he can meet such objections successfully. As a lack of faith had hindered the work in the past, we gave lessons on faith, and showed that without fervent prayer a canvasser can not succeed. First we studied the life of the apostle Paul, who never lost sight of the aim the Lord had put before him. Like him the canvasser must steadily push forward, having as his aim the proclamation of the last message of salvation, overcoming all difficulties, trials, temptations, and persecutions by the power of God. In studying the life of Jeremiah we considered the many difficulties he had to pass through, and how he was the faithful messenger of the Lord until the end. The experience of the twelve spies was also studied, showing that among those who call themselves Adventists are some who say that we can not succeed in the canvassing work, putting the difficulties before the canvasser. But every one of the canvassers should speak as did faithful Joshua and Caleb: “Neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us. . . . The Lord is with us: fear them not.” Full of hope, faith, courage, and zeal, our brethren went out into the field. Five went out into the colonies in company with Brother Brack, who is going to remain with them until they do not need any more help. Years ago many books were sold in those colonies, but as we believe that where some of our books are sold, many more can be sold, we trust they will have good success. Two went to the capital of our state, and one goes into the country, the most difficult field, where he had worked already a little with success. This brother is not afraid of the difficulties. He said: “I will keep on, even if I have to work four weeks before I sell a book.” Sometimes he will have to travel hours before he finds another house. Knowing all this, he went out gladly. We sincerely hope that this institute, and the sending out of these eight canvassers, will be the beginning of a new era in our canvassing work. We know this truth must go, and the angels of God will accompany our brethren who have gone out to canvass. We look with interest for some good reports in the near future. JOHN LIPKE.