Is Our Work a Failure?
By J. B. Blosser
As year after year goes by, and we see so few enter the canvassing work, and many of those who do soon pass on to something else, we may be inclined to think that after all our work is a failure, or of minor importance, and that these conditions must of necessity exist. Then our brethren, sharing our feelings, look upon it as a needless expense, and so, step by step, we lose our interest in it, and finally give up in despair, or watch for the first opportunity to get into something else. That the foregoing is the experience of many who have been in this work is only too true. Now, shall we look at things in this light? Come, brethren, let us all say, No! Let us repeat, with more emphasis, the words spoken to us: “Where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred.” “This is the very work the Lord desires his people to do at this time.” “God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books; and canvassers should be impressed with the importance of bringing before the world as fast as possible the books necessary for their spiritual enlightenment.” “And let all the people say Amen!” Let us all, then, leaders, people, or brethren in responsible positions, put away our doubts and criticisms of this work, and regard it as God would have us, as second to none, hence worthy of our best energies and financial assistance. How shall we secure more recruits? First of all let me suggest to our canvassing leaders that we can not “preach” it into the people to enter this work. Let us present the work in simplicity and faith, believing that God will impress those who should enter the work; and when we find those who should engage in it, see to it that they get a proper preparation, and have the needed help in the field. Our school men are in a position to render valuable aid. From our schools the youth should go out to learn to deal with minds, and to become soul winners; and in no other way can this be so successfully done as by selling books on present truth. I was greatly encouraged by the hearty response to the call for recruits from the Mount Vernon school recently. Over twenty bright, consecrated young people received special instruction at an institute held in connection with the college, and I attribute this to the efforts of the teachers who hold up this work as a successful way of saving souls. Then we need to come close to the ministers who are guardians of the flock. Show the president of your conference how he can assist you, and you will not be disappointed. Ask him to go with you to some of the churches where there are those who should enter this work, and while he presents the missionary value of this work from the pulpit, you can come close to the individuals who are interested, and can definitely arrange for their training and help in the field. And shall our conference men regard this work as undeserving of financial assistance because as sowers we do not seem to reap as many souls as some other workers? Shall it be valued by the dollars and cents received for books? — No; its value lies in the great truths contained in the books, and in the great number that may be reached in this way. And we as workers should rejoice in the fact that we can do so much toward spreading this truth with so little financial burden to the conference. “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”