The Field Work by J. A. SKINNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1908

The Field Work

By J. A. SKINNER

A Year's Experience in the Sale of “Liberty” and “Life and Health”

MORE than a year ago my stepdaughter, who was then fifteen years of age, wrote to me, while I was away from home, saying, “Papa, if you will go with me, I will undertake to sell Life and Health to pay my tuition and expenses in the academy for a year.” I immediately answered, “Norah, I will go with you.”

For a few weeks I assisted my daughter in the sale of Life and Health, then decided to turn my attention to the sale of Liberty. Since beginning our work, we have visited sixteen large cities, from Lincoln, Neb., to Boston, Mass., and New York City.

My daughter is now in school at South Lancaster Academy, having earned more than enough to pay her way through school, and I am at work in the great city of New York.

During the year I have canvassed about two hundred fifteen days of five or six hours each, and have sold about twelve thousand copies of Liberty, including a limited number sold for the church in Columbus, Ohio, besides about two thousand copies of Life and Health sold before starting with Liberty. In ten months my daughter sold about as many copies of Life and Health as I have of Liberty altogether.

In regard to my experience, I will say that, altogether, I have enjoyed the work. Of course, among busy business men a canvasser for a religious periodical, or, in fact, for any publication, will meet with many rebuffs, and sometimes, although not often, with sharp, coarse criticism. This is good discipline, provided the canvasser has learned the blessed lesson of keeping cool and sweet, and never resenting any insulting or offensive remarks.

One instance I will relate of a lawyer in a large city in Ohio. He was a Roman Catholic, well educated, sharp, critical, but withal very impulsive. After a short canvass, he took the paper in his hand (it was Liberty, No. 4, 1907), and as he glanced over the headings, I noticed the color rising in his face, and felt that a storm was brewing. Suddenly he broke forth in language not only uncomplimentary, but abusive and profane, against both the journal and the poor canvasser, who was beginning to fear that he would be forcibly ejected from the office, but who silently lifting his heart to God, mutely waited until the storm had spent its violence, then in subdued tones ventured, pleasantly and respectfully, to recommend some of the articles as worthy of consideration. A great calm followed the storm, and in a few minutes the lawyer bought the paper, and in parting with the canvasser shook hands warmly, and invited him to call again whenever he should visit the city.

Many incidents along the way are sources of encouragement to the earnest worker. As I was leaving a large office where I had sold a number of copies of Liberty, a young man asked me a question which required quite a lengthy explanation. While engaged in talking with him, others left their desks and came up around the young man, and other questions were asked. Finally every one in the office listened attentively for more than half an hour to an explanation of the movements already on foot that will soon result in the enactment of oppressive laws, restricting religious freedom, and at last developing into a union of church and state. Such blessed experiences are as fuel to keep the fire of enthusiasm burning in the bosom of the canvasser. J. A. SKINNER.