Progress in the Colporteur Work in the Southwestern Union
By R. L. PIERCE.
It sometimes seems unfortunate that in order to record the progress that is being made year by year in advancing the message through the circulation of the printed page, it is necessary to deal so largely with pounds, tons, car-loads, and dollars and cents, rather than with the real good that is being accomplished through this means in the salvation of souls. Many volumes could be written on the spiritual results of this work, and many precious gems gathered from rich mines of personal experience. But, even then, the half would not be told, for eternity alone can reveal the final and lasting results of this faithful, prayerful seed sowing on the part of our colporteurs. Therefore, when considering figures pertaining to the advancement of our colporteur work, we may well pause and consider the far-reaching results they represent. Although the book work this year in the Southwestern Union has encountered unusual difficulties, the Lord has greatly blessed the efforts of those in the field. For this we feel indeed thankful. Not only can advancement be reported, but we believe some new records have also been established in the matter of remittances. It takes a great deal of money to provide such a large number of books as are required for the17fall deliveries, and recently the tract societies have remitted the following amounts on their respective accounts with the Fort Worth Branch:— North Texas .......... $10,101.00
Oklahoma ............. 6,736.25
South Texas .......... 4,800.00
Arkansas ............. 2,715.83
New Mexico ........... 2,000.00
West Texas ............ 1,186.66
Louisiana ............. 750.00 These large remittances, some of which can unquestionably be called record breakers, have been made possible through the earnest, untiring, and persevering efforts of a consecrated band of men and women engaged in our colporteur work. They have labored faithfully under the scorching rays of a Southern summer’s sun, and made their deliveries, in many instances, under anything but favorable conditions. In connection with the hard work of our colporteurs, we cannot refrain from mentioning the unceasing labors of our union agent, Brother A. F. Harrison, also the field missionary agents and the tract society secretaries. Some of these men have toiled early and late, many times riding all night in a day coach, or waiting at a lone station, in order to reach some colporteur the next day who was in need of assistance. Many hardships and privations have been endured by both colporteurs and leaders, but the joy of service and sacrifice in the blessed Master’s work well repays the cost. And, in this connection, let no one think that the delivery of books and the collection of the money have been accomplished without difficulties and hard work. When sending in his remittance to the branch, the secretary of one of our strongest tract societies wrote as follows:— “It represents sweat of brow and toil of body for the men in the field, as well as much anxiety and weary days in the office. . . . I am sorry to part with the ‘tangible evidence,’ but am glad we have money enough to pay our debts. Last year I believe we did not have enough to settle by the first of November, so we are considerably better off now than we were then, although we have had to divide with the conference this year, as they appropriated one thousand dollars of our money this summer.” The series of droughts from which the Southwest has been suffering the past six years seems to have reached the climax this year in the western portions of Oklahoma and Texas, as it was reported the most severe in those sections that it has ever been. And then, just as cotton was opening in many places, the rains came, thus greatly hindering our workers in reaching their subscribers. As an illustration of some of the obstacles encountered, we can take space in this report to relate only one experience, as follows:— One of the colporteurs had a five-dollar book to deliver to a man living on the opposite side of a certain stream. The rains had so swollen this stream that it had become a roaring, rushing torrent. It was very dangerous to cross, as there was no bridge. However, our faithful worker was determined to deliver the book, if possible. He therefore unhitched his horse, mounted him, and taking the book in one hand and the reins in the other, plunged the animal into the water, making him swim across. They finally reached the opposite side in safety. But upon reaching the place, it was found that the subscriber had only a twenty-dollar bill. However, he believed that any one who would keep his word under such circumstances, was honest, and therefore he was willing for the colporteur to take the twenty-dollar bill and leave the change with a neighbor on the other side of the river, where it could be had after the water subsided. Our colporteur thanked him, and taking the bill between his teeth, he plunged his horse again into the stream and swam back to where he had unhitched. This young man made three and one-half scholarships, delivering more than one thousand dollars’ worth of books. Various other means have been used to overcome the many discouragements and difficulties along the way, and the work has continued to advance. Three years ago this fall the Fort Worth Branch remitted on its account with the home office $5,000 at one time. That money was so welcome that the publishing house board sent a telegram of thanks, and it was thought that $5,000 was quite a sum for one remittance. However, as will be seen, two of our tract societies have now remitted considerably more than that amount. Then, the next fall there was a $10,000 check, and that was “marvelous.” Last fall that amount was doubled, and $20,000 was sent at one time; while this year, under the blessing of God and the faithful work of those in the field, we have been able to send $25,000 on our account with the home office, thus making a gain of $5,000 over last year’s high-water mark. We might speak in general terms of the progress that is being made, but upon most minds it would make no impression. However, those who desire the figures, can find food for thought in those given in this report. Dear reader, what message does this wonderful progress bring to you? Do you hear the Master saying, “Go work today in my vineyard”? Because you have a good farm or a good position is no reason why you should be excused from the Lord’s work. On the other hand, the very fact that you have made a success of some worldly pursuit is undoubtedly evidence that you have talents which the Lord can use to excellent advantage in his cause, if they are but fully consecrated to him. Surely the Lord has set his hand to this work to finish it quickly, and those who would have a part in it must hasten. Delay is dangerous.
R. L. PIERCE.