Canvassing in Georgia by Albert Cochran

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1908

Canvassing in Georgia

By Albert Cochran

As some of my former associates in the canvassing work would like to know something of my experiences in Georgia, I am sending a report to the REVIEW of my first book delivery. I began canvassing for “Daniel and the Revelation” August 20, taking orders for October 19.

Including the time spent in delivering the books, I worked two hundred ten hours. During this time I took seventy orders, or one hundred eighteen dollars’ worth. Of these I delivered fifty-eight books, or ninety-three dollars’ worth; lost six orders, and six were postponed with good prospects of delivery. Only one of the thirteen orders received from colored persons was lost. While delivering, I sold one extra book.

Besides the preceding, I sold two copies of “Best Stories” and four of the “New Testament Primer.” While engaged in the work, I spent but fifty cents in cash. Six of the larger books and three of the smaller ones were given in exchange for meals and lodging. My sales averaged over forty-six cents an hour, giving me a profit of a little more than twenty-three cents an hour. These books were placed in a territory of about fifty-five square miles. I seldom failed of giving an exhibition of the book wherever I stopped.

This work was done in Hall County, near Gainesville, fifty-three miles northeast of Atlanta. I enjoyed the best of health, although I came from the North to Atlanta, August 5, in the hottest part of the year.

Georgia has a population of about two million six hundred thousand, with about one hundred fifty Sabbath-keepers. There are one hundred forty-six counties, two thirds of which have not been canvassed for our books. Georgia needs God-fearing canvassers, who are willing to deny self and follow Jesus. She needs men and women of faith; those without faith will desert the ranks. Any one having a burden for this field should write to A. L. Manous, 54 Beecher St., Atlanta, Ga., for information.

ALBERT COCHRAN.