p. 18 | The Open Door by V. O. Cole

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1909

The Open Door

By V. O. Cole

WHILE our minds are being directed toward the work in the Southern field through the offerings of October 2, it might not be out of place to speak of one important way of getting the truth into that field, which, perhaps, many of our people have overlooked. While our gifts are indeed very acceptable in the sight of heaven, yet they can not take the place of the means I shall mention, which is, I believe, the Lord’s solution for us of the problem of reaching the many people of this long-neglected field. I am sure that many of our Northern friends are interested in the work here, and are willing to make sacrifices, as far as their means are concerned, to see the work go, but I fear that they have, in a great measure, overlooked one of the principal means by which this field will have to be warned.

I presume all know about the race question, which is a very important problem here. If our ministers labor for one class, they are debarred from the other. The same can be said of the Bible worker, the medical missionary, or the school worker; but thanks be to our Heavenly Father! the Lord has given us one avenue through which we can reach all classes alike without raising prejudice. You ask, What, then, is the way that the Lord has left open for this great work to be accomplished?—It is the same of which the Testimonies have so plainly said: “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.” Now, if this testimony applies in a general way, how much more forcibly does it apply to the Southern field, where this method seems to be the only open door which Providence has left by which we may be able to reach all the people without much prejudice.

Yes, the faithful canvasser may go to the great mansion or to the humble hut, even if standing side by side, and raise no comment from the world, simply because he has something to sell. The people look at it from a commercial standpoint, regarding that an agent has the right to sell to all classes alike; while the Lord, holy angels, and real Christians look at it as a missionary work of the highest order.

The canvassing work can be carried on here during the entire year. We trust that the Spirit of the Lord will turn the hearts of some this way who feel a deep burden for this field; and have the kind of missionary spirit that will take hold of the work understandingly, and with a zeal that is according to the knowledge of his word.

V. O. COLE,

Gen. Miss. Agt. S. E. U. Conf.