p. 19 | Colporteurs' Institutes by W. W. Eastman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1916

Colporteurs' Institutes

By W. W. Eastman

AMONG the many institutes and conventions held in connection with this advent movement, not the least important, by any means, is the colporteurs' institute.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COLPORTEURS’ INSTITUTE

Only a few years ago these institutes were quite generally held in the early spring, or possibly the closing winter months. Those who could be induced to enter the work for the summer's campaign were gathered in at that time and given special instruction and sent out. Indeed, the writer quite well remembers when no institutes at all were held for those who desired to canvass for our books, but they were furnished a prospectus and a printed canvass, and possibly given a little private instruction, and then sent out to succeed or fail, whichever the case might be. Even when institutes began to be held, it was often the case that the “State agent,” as he was then called, was generally left alone to do the best he could with those he was fortunate enough to get sufficiently interested to attend.

But little by little the Lord has helped his people to see the importance of this work, and to-day it is very different from what it used to be. These important gatherings are now quite generally attended by the local conference president, and often by the union conference president, who assist in Bible and other instruction, thus giving a substantial mold to the work. And, too, we find them being held as early in the year as possible, often beginning with the holidays before the old year has closed.

Most encouraging reports are reaching us from these institutes this year, and in some instances photographs have been sent us. That a splendid class of men and women are enlisting for 1916 can be seen by a glance at these photographs. The picture recently appearing in the REVIEW, from Ohio, was a good illustration of this. This week we pass along two excellent-looking groups,—one from the Northern California Conference, showing Elder C. Santee, the conference president, in attendance; and one from Georgia. Of the one first mentioned, F. E. Painter, field secretary of the Pacific Union, who appears in the group, says: “We certainly had a splendid institute at Lodi, and I think Brother Abbott has some of the most promising colporteurs lined up that I have seen yet.” Brother Abbott himself says: “We have just closed a very satisfactory institute, and the workers shown in the illustration, besides two others, are in the field for earnest work, and the larger portion of them expect to stay in the field for twelve months in the year.”

Brother D. W. Dillen, field secretary of the Southeastern Union, also speaks very encouragingly of those whose faces appear in the Georgia group.

We say again, These colporteurs' institutes are of great importance, representing as they do a class of workers who are doing a great work in hastening the coming of Jesus.

Let us remember these devoted workers at the throne of grace, that God may greatly bless their labors to the salvation of many souls. W. W. EASTMAN.