Our Colporteur Work in Europe
DURING the past years it has many times been demonstrated that the Lord can give success to our colporteurs in their efforts to circulate the printed page where from a human standpoint it would seem impossible. This is again being proved in the countries in Europe that are directly involved in the present terrible war. It is true that our workers have had to change their tactics, in some instances selling periodicals, but they have not had to give up their work. In the following extracts from private correspondence we give a few items of the latest news regarding this branch of our work in those fields:— Elder L. R. Conradi writes as follows:— “DEAR BROTHER: Five weeks have passed since we parted. I hope that by this time you have reached your family and found them all safe and sound, and are in a country of peace, far beyond the din of war. You may be sure that I was glad when I reached home. My good wife wept tears of joy. “Wonderful things have happened since then. For weeks nearly all mail was stopped. Nothing could be sent, as the way had to be left open for soldiers and guns. It was a terrible blow for us, but now things are opening up; and with the exception of a few districts on the border, we can send out parcel post again. “During the time that mail did not go out, we organized a good band of canvassers here in Hamburg, and they did splendidly, especially in selling our periodicals. Some came from Berlin and took back big loads of literature with them. Brother Boex went to Holland, taking over eight hundred pounds with him. We are trying to fill our papers with suitable material, and they have as large a circulation as before. We are also getting out suitable pamphlets, so we are by no means idle. Larger books are also being sold, as the people have a greater desire now for religious things. But doubtless the cheaper publications will find a more ready sale. “We are thankful that thus far Germany has financially outweathered things splendidly, so we have no difficulty in securing money. Though we shall feel the strain, yet if things continue as they are, we shall have no reason to complain.” Brother S. Joyce, the general agent of England, writes:— “The war has had a bad effect upon our book work. Only twenty agents have had courage enough to remain at their posts. Their sales average about $15 a week, but we hope soon to do better. ‘Armageddon,’ the latest number of Our Day series, has had a good start, over 110,000 copies having been ordered; also 70,000 copies of a six-page folder entitled ‘The Meaning of the War.’ Our people have heartily taken hold of the work of circulating these special publications, and will, I hope, keep at it until the work is finished. Our ministers thus far are not prevented from publicly proclaiming the truth. In a number of places interest in their work is increasing, owing to the war, and preparations are being made for a vigorous campaign in inexpensive halls and in house-to-house work. Immediately when the war was declared, our food factory was stormed with orders. Thus far the food factory, the publishing house, and the sanitarium are running full time, and the college has opened with a good attendance, and students are still arriving. In most parts of the union the truth has come in as freely as before. We feel thankful to God for his protection in this time of carnage and bloodshed.” Brother John Brown, who is in charge of the colporteur work in Spain, sends the following word from Valencia, Spain:— “After our conference in Barcelona I left home for this city. On arrival I began work in earnest, to encourage by example as well as by precept the workers who are with me. But my example has tended to discourage rather than to encourage the workers; for although I have worked hard, I have not been able some days to take even one order. This has been the experience of several other workers. Business houses are closing, factories are shut, banks are breaking, and as a result thousands of families are really going hungry. There is no way to export or to import goods. Agricultural products are rotting in the fields, and nearly everybody is moneyless, the same as we are. “The Bible workers have been sent out to sell papers to earn their living. The ministers are about to do the same, and now we have decided to place all our bookmen on the paper also. We have published special numbers of the paper, and they are meeting with a ready sale. We can all earn our living selling papers. Our book business is probably ruined for this year, even though the war should stop; but we are of good courage, and shall make every effort to succeed, even though it seems impossible.20 “During the eleven months preceding our annual conference our colporteurs in Spain sold $9,200 worth of literature, a gain of 150 per cent over the previous year. We are glad for this report, as it shows that our literature can be sold successfully in Spain. One young man sold and delivered $1,000 worth of books in five months. Pray for us in this time of need.” N. Z. T.