Will They Sell? by G. Phillips

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 5, 1905

Will They Sell?

By G. Phillips

In Volume VI of the “Testimonies” I read the following: “Let each publisher and general agent work enthusiastically to encourage the agents now in the field.” In my experience I find that the best way to encourage an agent is to go with him into the field, and take the same book he is handling, and show him how to sell it. It is far better to give real, practical help than to give advice.

Some have asked me if our large books will sell; I want to say, Yes, and I wish I could say it in tones that could be heard throughout the length and breadth of the land. Through the spirit of prophecy the Lord has said they should be sold, and “his biddings are our enabling.” The experience of our canvassers in Missouri is demonstrating this fact. One of our canvassers a few days ago sold forty dollars’ worth of “Bible Readings” in one day, another lady canvasser sold over forty dollars’ worth of “Great Controversy” in less than a day. I went to assist one of our canvassers who was selling “Great Controversy” in a town of three thousand inhabitants. He took one street, and I took another, and in six hours I made nineteen exhibitions, and took twenty orders for “Great Controversy;” value, $65.75. I sold a book in every house on that street but one, and sold two in it.

I do not speak of this to exalt any canvasser or myself, but that all may see that when we follow in the path of duty,

we can not fail. Let no one think that our books are too high priced to sell, but let all exalt the value of these books.

While delivering books in the South one time, a subscriber said, “It will take half a bale of cotton to pay for that book.” I said, “I know it; but this book is worth more than your whole crop of cotton; its value can not be estimated in dollars and cents. If you will obey the teachings of this book, it will land you in the kingdom of God, where you will not have to raise cotton for a living.” I believed what I said to him, and looked him square in the eyes when I said it; and he believed it too, and paid me for the book. O, I pray God to help us to see the real value of our books, then the price will not be in our way.

We are pressing the battle and shouting the victory in Missouri. Dear reader, do you want a good, rich experience? If so, get a prospectus for “Great Controversy” and come with us, and we will help you to get it, and you will lay up treasures in heaven. G. PHILLIPS.