Soon after going to New Zealand, where the sanitarium was being started, I engaged in selling Herald of Health, and was enabled, with God's help, to obtain over two thousand yearly subscriptions, besides selling several thousand single copies, and over one hundred copies of “Christ's Object Lessons.” Some will remember me as one of the pioneer canvassers in Canada. I am now past sixty years of age, and am glad to say that I have never lost interest in the work, nor regretted that I sold my farm when I did, leaving all for Christ's sake.
A NEW ZEALAND FARM
On one occasion after completing a canvassing tour along the foot of the southern Alps, I took the homeward-bound train. A freight-train, loaded with sheep, stood on the side-track, bound for the freezing works, where as many as five thousand are killed and frozen in a day. As the train moved along the Snow Cap mountain range, at my right as far as the eye could reach, were stretched out the Canterbury plains. Sparkling streams of cool water from the hills were conducted through the paddock, where thousands of sheep were grazing; the line fences of hedge full of yellow bloom appeared like threads of gold. Separated by a mile or two were clumps of eucalyptus, and pine-trees, showing where farmhouses were located. I was reminded of the time when Lot, lifting up his eyes, beheld all the plains of Jordan so well watered. But what gladdened my heart the most as I rode along was the thought that from farm to farm and from village to village, for fifty miles homeward, I had faithfully canvassed nearly every house. I had a copy of the ConferenceRecord, and read: “Satan uses every means in his power to lead the canvasser to take up some other line of work. But this order of things must be changed. God calls the canvasser back to his work. He calls for volunteers who will put all their energy and enlightenment into the work, who will go forth with love of Christ for those far and near, who will sacrifice ease and pleasure. The promise is, The Lord imparts a fitness for the work to every man and woman who will co-operate with divine power.”
As for difficulties by the way, when overcome they are like green oases strewn with roses. I will relate an incident. One day, cold and muddy, darkness coming on, I wished to find lodging, and was told that the only place in the neighborhood was the public house. I looked in. The strong odor of beer and tobacco seemed too revolting. So plodding on, I was made welcome with a kind Christian family. A rainy day followed, and I remained the third night, being treated as an honored guest. But, strange as it may seem, the third night the old gambling hotel was burned to the ground.
At another time I was working on an elevated section between the hills, near the village of Waikari. The houses being some distance apart, I crossed paddocks, lifting my wheel over the wire and hedge fences. One morning at a farmhouse, sausage, bread, and tea seemed about all they had to offer me; and at noon the kind-hearted woman had nothing more to offer than a plate of rabbit and potatoes, and tea. Eating a few potatoes, I found it was time to start for the train. This meant ten miles' ride on the bicycle, facing the rain, and wading one stream, carrying my wheel. I had hoped to keep my feet dry, but soon found the water filling my boots. I met a poor tramp on the road. He was carrying his bed on his back, and a billy in his hand—the way tramps travel in this country. I tried to cheer him with a kind word, but could get no response. His highest motive seemed to be to seek a little comfort and shelter from the storm; while joy was filling my heart as I thought of the glorious future when the faithful ones will be gathered home. I made three calls on my way to the train, receiving four orders. Although wet and shivering during the ride of fifty miles, I had a warm heart. A hot bath at the sanitarium set me all right.
I know our little trials by the way are scarcely worth mentioning: the Lord is so gracious and kind, far better than we deserve. Those who engage in canvassing for our health literature may not see immediate results, yet they are doing the work of John the Baptist in getting this reading-matter before the people, preparing the way for the gospel message, and eternity will reveal the results.
