Canvassing in Mississippi
By H. W. Pierce
I have been in this State four years; and as the funds have been low, I have spent a good share of the time canvassing. I had no experience to begin with, and had always thought I never could canvass. I also doubted if selling our books could be made a success in this State, but my experience has taught me better. I know it is a good field, and the people need our books. I am now making “Coming King” my principal book, with “Steps to Christ” and “Gospel Primer” as helps. At first I feared that to tell people I was bringing to them a book on the second coming of Christ and the signs that show his coming near, would arouse prejudice in their minds, but I found this was not so. I represent it first and last and all the way through as a book on that subject, and I talk it just as plainly as I can. I do not need to make a long canvass. I have been surprised to see how readily the people buy, both white and black. The last week I took fifty-three orders for “Coming King,” besides a good many for the small books. I have enjoyed the work very much. I should be glad to see many more engaged in it. Some fear that they could not make a living, but I believe that a good, faithful worker would not want for the necessities of life, and something might be laid up for a rainy day. It is perseverance and the blessing of God that give success. Some of our Northern brethren who are obliged to wade through snow-drifts four months in the year, would here find a happy change in that respect. Come and help us. Since my report of the work here, some of our friends in the North have written, inquiring how they should send money, as Eshool is not a money-order office. To all such I would say that an order on Quitman post-office will be all right. Some have already responded to our call, for which we are very thankful. The land, which is now seventeen acres, is all planted, and everything is doing well. We are grateful for the prosperity the Lord has given us, and will try to use whatever our friends send us as economically as possible.