p. 16 | Ten Years in Tennessee by Mrs. Minnie Hoyt Philpott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1905

Ten Years in Tennessee

By Mrs. Minnie Hoyt Philpott

Ten years ago I came to this State as a self-supporting worker. For about one year before coming here, the work of the Southern field was on my mind continually. I had no means with which to come here from Michigan, but I prayed to God, that, if it was his will for me to come south, the way might be opened; and he answered my prayer. Praise the Lord, I am still here canvassing, and expect to spend the rest of my life in the South, unless the Lord sees fit to call me elsewhere. I have enjoyed many rich blessings here, and can truly say from experience that God will certainly go with every one who goes out by faith to work for him. I first came to Nashville, Tenn., and remained there nearly four years, canvassing a large part of the time; I also worked in one of our missions for a while. At this place I had a severe sickness, and was brought to death's door; but the Lord spared my life, for which I am very thankful.

I have not been directly engaged in the canvassing work all the time, but my heart has been in the work, and I have found plenty to do in other lines. I have canvassed in a number of different towns, and in every place have found kind friends. I am now canvassing in Franklin. The Lord in a wonderful manner opened the way for me to come to this place, and I have never had more freedom in all the years I have canvassed, than the Lord is giving me at the present time. There are many places where canvassers are greatly needed here in the South; and, dear reader, if God is placing a burden on you to come this way, do not hesitate to follow the leadings of his Spirit.

I was in poor health when the Lord called me to the Southern field, but he has greatly strengthened me while working for him, and enabled me to place hundreds of our books in several places in this State. To his name be all the praise. Among some of the books I have sold here are “Great Controversy,” “Christ’s Object Lessons,” “Coming King,” “Steps to Christ,” “Christ Our Saviour,” “Our Paradise Home,” “Gospel Primer,” “Best Stories,” “Making Home Happy,” a few copies of “Desire of Ages,” and a number of Bibles. I have also taken quite a number of orders for The Signs of the Times, and have distributed thousands of pages of our literature in the form of tracts and papers. My courage was never better than now.

The work is onward in the South, and times are favorable for our work. Who will come and enter the harvest-field here? Some of the people are very hospitable to strangers, and are glad to get our books. From my experience in the work in the North and in the South, I see no reason why any one who can succeed elsewhere can not succeed here. True, there are some difficulties to meet here as well as everywhere, and one's faith is sometimes tested to the utmost, yet God has promised to be with us even unto the end.

Then let us go where the Lord calls us to labor in his vineyard, and with him as our leader, we shall have success. We may not always see great results from our work in this life, but God will bless the seed sown by faithful canvassers.

MRS. MINNIE HOYT PHILPOTT.

Franklin, Tenn.