What Seven Men Did by W. W. Eastman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1915

What Seven Men Did

By W. W. Eastman

THE importance of careful selection and thorough training of colporteurs has often been emphasized in our conventions and institutes. The following instance well illustrates the value of this theory:—

In the Southern Illinois Conference, seven men sold and delivered during 1914 $9,758.33 worth of books, or an average of $1,394.04 for each man. The lowest total sales of any one of these men was $1,010. and the highest, $2,279.95. In order to accomplish this, these men put in a total of 10,556 hours, or an average

of thirty hours a week for fifty weeks. This would give an average sale of ninety-two cents an hour, or a retail value of $27.60 a week, for each individual for the fifty weeks.

With the exception of one, all these men are married and have families. While the total sales appear large, when spread over fifty weeks the wage is small. Still, by careful economy men can care for their families and continue indefinitely this self-supporting evangelistic work.

What is needed in each conference is more of these selected, thoroughly instructed, and trained men, whom God has called to this work; and we believe our conferences are appreciating the value of this class of workers, and endeavoring to supply the need as never before.

W. W. EASTMAN.