A Courageous Canvasser by E. W. Farnsworth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 18, 1912

A Courageous Canvasser

By E. W. Farnsworth

The importance of placing our literature in the homes of the people can not be overestimated. The faithful canvasser who leaves home and friends to carry the message, meets difficulties and real hardship, yet he finds God’s grace sufficient; and the great reward when the work is done, outweighs every obstacle.

One lad, a student from one of our schools who has been canvassing in the country during the summer, with excellent success, writes this of his experiences:—

“It rained Monday and all of Tuesday, so my fellow worker and I remained together till Wednesday, when we separated. It certainly takes the life out of a canvasser to be cheated of half a week on the start.

“One night we slept in a caboose, after wading mud and sloughs in the dark, while the rain was falling. Another night we went to the schoolhouse, built a fire, and stayed all night, sleeping on the rostrum. No supper, no breakfast, so we felt hungry. After dinner Wednesday, we started out canvassing. Report for Wednesday and Thursday was eighteen hours’ work, thirty-four exhibitions, and twenty-two orders; value $53. Friday I put in eight hours, making sixteen exhibitions, and taking eleven orders, $28.25. God certainly helped me while I was at work; and even though the farmers are looking rather glum and dubious, I keep right on smiling and taking orders.

“One day I was told that I could not sell a book at the next house, but decided to go there and get dinner anyway. A creek ran through the farm, right across the road; and as there was no bridge, I walked through it. I found the young man, who was a bachelor, at home, and very glad to see me, as nobody had called to see him for two weeks. After showing him my book, he began to tremble lest he did not have a pen with which to write his name in the order-book. Of course, I lent him mine, and then had dinner, too.

“Friday at noon a dense mist formed, so I could not see from house to house, and the nearest one was two miles away. I set out, going over a mile when I stopped to listen. Soon a cock crowed in the distance, and I made out to find its owner. He gave me dinner and purchased a book. Then I went across the road to a man to whom, I had been told, it would be very hard to sell a book, but he was glad to get one. At the next house I secured two half-leather orders; so orders came all the way.

“I shall soon reach the mark I have long aspired to. I have taken orders amounting to $1,471; and if all goes well, next week I shall have over $1,500 for the summer’s work. I long for some of the good meetings at the college, and I hope to be there some time.”

All honor to the brave, aspiring canvasser. We ought to pray for more of this kind, and then our petitions should follow them to the field, that God will crown their labors with success.

E. W. FARNSWORTH.