p. 17 | Success in the Canvassing Work by Walter Harper

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

Success in the Canvassing Work

By Walter Harper

THIS has been a day full of experiences for me, and I can only praise the Lord for it all. He is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. My cup seems full to overflowing, and I rejoice in the Lord, and can but speak of his wonderful work to the children of men. Ps. 107: 8, 15, 31; 145: 7.

I began work here at Morenci, Ariz., January 4, just one week ago, having left Globe on the third. From the very first, the Lord has blessed; but somehow in the last two or three days I seemed to get behind in securing my daily desired number of orders for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” It looked as if the way was hedged up for getting orders for this volume. This morning I decided that this state of affairs must not continue; that to-day, the Lord willing, I would get seven orders for that work, even if I had to set aside my regular canvassing work in order to do so. I asked the Lord to help me, and to remove the indifference that was manifested by the people toward this book. No one ever faithfully sought the Lord in vain. He never disappoints those who earnestly and truly seek him. I began my day’s work as early as possible. It was not long until I had been blessed in securing three orders for this work. One gentleman who ordered it, also gave me more than seven dollars’ worth of other orders, one being for “Patriarchs and Prophets,” full morocco, gilt. Then other orders were taken.

I came back to my lodging place about 3:30 P. M. for dinner, and when I resumed work, about 4:30, I still lacked four of the orders I wished to secure for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I besought the Lord to enable me to get them. As I started out, my attention was drawn to a shop not over fifty yards from my room; there I met a man who at once gave me his order. Before I finished canvassing him, another man came in; he was quickly led to decide that he must have the book. Just then another man came down the street on horseback. Feeling confident that this was my opportunity to secure another order, I ascertained where the man was going. Soon I was with him. The book appealed to his mind, and he thought he must have it. I then stepped outside, and near by I saw a fine-looking, well-dressed Mexican gentleman sitting in front of a mercantile warehouse, trying to find solace in a bottle of beer, while evidently waiting for the clerk to come and open the place, so he could secure what he wanted. I induced him to place his name for the work, which he wished for his thirteen-year-old daughter. Thus in a brief space in four successive exhibitions, the four books were sold.

While returning at twilight, feeling that I would be much pleased to have two more orders for “Christ’s Object Lessons” before I closed the day’s efforts, I asked the Lord to grant them. I was directed to a place near at hand, and soon had the wished-for orders, to my great joy. That made nine orders for “Christ’s Object Lessons” to-day. And after all, through God’s blessing, I did not have to lay aside my regular canvassing work; for the Lord gave me over forty-two dollars in orders for books, helps, etc., besides the nine orders for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Such experiences are truly refreshing. A day’s experience like this teaches us our dependence on power from above; that all our success, all blessings, are from God. O how willing he is to bless all! How he longs to impart to every one who will ask, believe, and receive. All honors to our Father for evermore.

WALTER HARPER.