Real Evangelistic Canvassing
By W. W. EASTMAN
THE following letter, written recently to Brother Covey, field agent of Eastern New York, by one of his colporteurs, so beautifully sets forth real evangelistic canvassing, and that, too, by actual experience, that we think it should be passed on to the entire field. Note these facts: The worker has a burden for souls, is filled with the spirit, doors are open to him everywhere, and the people are eager for his book, and, of course, he enjoys his work. The letter reads as follows:— “I am glad I can send you a better report this week than last—not in dollars, but in experience. Dollars do not count in this work. O, I wish you could have been with me this week, not to help me (for I now have a better Helper even than you), but to see the eagerness of the people. It is wonderful. I found many who were as eager for the book as children are for candy. I do not know how else to express it. “Yesterday a young lady who is a graduate from the music department of Syracuse University, was so excited that she could hardly wait for the opportunity to sign her name. She said, ‘It is just what20I have been looking for. There are many ideas in the world, and I am all mixed up. I wish to know what the Bible says.’ “Tuesday afternoon I canvassed a woman and her daughter. I had a deep burden for them, but could not get an order. The woman mentioned that a school-teacher who boarded with them might be interested in the book. On Thursday, when I was near that section again, I was told that the lady whom I visited on Tuesday wished to talk with me, and she said if I would call at the schoolhouse I would get an order. I had to go about half a mile, but it did not take long. I never saw any one apparently more pleased than was that teacher. I did not give her an exhibition, but handed the prospectus to her, and gave a brief synopsis. She gave me her order, and said, ‘I am glad you came, for I had given up all hope of ever seeing you.’ She had tried by telephone to find me on both Tuesday and Wednesday. “Friday morning I took four orders, as follows: a poor woman doing housework by the week, a German cheese-maker, a Catholic woman, and the music teacher whom I mentioned before. The canvasser can reach all classes if he has crucified self and becomes filled with the Holy Spirit. But it is a daily, yes, hourly, crucifixion. I have found it so, anyway. For three years I have asked God to give me a burden for souls, but it never came. Why?—Because I was not in a condition to be trusted with it. It does not come by simply asking for it; it comes by praying for the people. “Perhaps you would be interested to know how God and I carry on this co-partnership plan of working. First, I try to spend about one hour each morning studying his Word and in prayer, pleading for a special message for each home I shall visit. He sends his angels ahead to prepare the way. When I visit a home I speak as directed by his Spirit. It is very seldom that a deep interest is not aroused, and often hearts are deeply moved. Persons like to hear of the love of Jesus. I always bring that in during the first of the canvass. (See ‘Manual for Canvassers,’ page 33. By the way, I am making an almost daily study of the ‘Manual.’) I often have opportunity to tell persons how I work, and of God’s blessings. I strive, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to make the canvass from start to finish reveal God’s love, and it is having a marked influence on my life. “I cannot praise God enough that he has been so persistent in calling me. Now my one great desire is to be ever able to say, ‘Not my will, but thine, be done.’ “At night I take every order to God in prayer. I try to see the needs of the persons I visit, and then I ask the Lord to supply them. Every day I feel that I am growing stronger, but at the same time the task and responsibility loom up greater. “May God’s blessing rest upon the work and give you heavenly wisdom is my prayer. ROY CARR.” This sort of work brings results in the sale of our books. The report accompanying this letter shows sales to the amount of $108, and the week before, $111. The Lord is not partial in the bestowal of his blessings; others may enjoy the same blessed experience.
W. W. EASTMAN.