Selling “Ministry of Healing” Without Canvassing
By R. W. Parmele
One of the most common objections we hear as we present the “Ministry of Healing” work to our people, is the following: “I never could canvass. I have tried it and failed.” It is very natural for those who have never canvassed and imagine they can not, and still more natural for those who “have tried it and failed,” to feel excused from duty in the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. Such reason that they will expend their energies in another direction, and let “those who can canvass” look after the sanitarium relief work. I would like to ask all such, Would you risk the price of your full quota (nine dollars), in six books, if you could sell them on a plan that requires no canvassing? Possibly your conference would let you have the books on thirty days’ time, so you would not have to pay the cash down. This would give you an abundance of time in which to dispose of them. I confidently believe that working on the plan suggested in this article the full three-year quota of the denomination could be sold in thirty days. Why should we require Brother Hansen to write so many letters and articles, and visit so many conferences at such great expense to the cause, to get us to do in three years what we could do in less than thirty days if we would address ourselves to the task? This is not guesswork with me. I have tried the plan, and know it works, and it requires no canvassing. Carefully read every word of this article, and then put the plan into operation. A few days ago I visited twelve homes, taking them as they came, and lent twelve copies of the book, accompanied by a copy of the letter quoted below, with my name attached. I have since visited nine of these homes. I got my pay for three of the books, the money being in readiness for me. The other six each returned the book, in most cases with expressions of appreciation, and regrets that they did not feel able to pay for it, and retain it. A deaf-and-dumb man could have done just as well. The letter, accompanied by the book and the blessing of God, did the work. But it is important that the people should read the letter as well as the book. Their especial attention should be called to it. The letter follows:—19 “DEAR FRIEND: I beg to call your attention to the book that I hand you herewith. I consider it one of the best books, except the Bible, that I have ever read. It was written for the sole purpose of benefiting suffering humanity. The object of the book is to present comfort and hope to the sick and suffering, encouragement and counsel to friends, nurses, and physicians who are engaged in ministering to the afflicted. “The book is made up of eight departments, which are divided into chapters, each complete in itself. The first part of the book gives us a picture of the work of ‘The True Medical Missionary,’ our Saviour, who ‘went about doing good and relieving all who were oppressed.’ Next comes ‘The Work of the Physician,’ later ‘The Care of the Sick,’ and some very helpful suggestions on ‘The Home’ and other kindred themes. “Many helpful suggestions are given in the book on the care of our health, the care and treatment of the sick; calling special attention to nature’s own remedies. The doctor can do his part to produce favorable conditions, but the power that the Creator has put into nature is that which produces results. Above all, the sufferer and all others are pointed to the Great Healer of both body and soul. “In many places in this and foreign countries, sanitariums have been erected for the care of the sick. Many of these institutions have been started without endowment, and in the case of those to which I refer, not a penny of profit accrues to any individual. The entire net profits arising from their operation go to the work of relieving the suffering, caring for the sick poor, and imparting instruction in the laws of health. “The author has donated this book to these institutions, and the printers have generously published it for the actual cost of the material and labor. So that aside from this small cost and the transportation, the entire proceeds go to help advance the work of the sanitariums mentioned. “It has been decided by those having the matter in charge that the proceeds arising from the sales of this book in Florida shall be given to the Florida Sanitarium, located at Orlando. The good work this institution has done, and is doing, is the reason it was made the beneficiary of this gift. “I will call upon you again in a few days. In the meantime look the book over carefully, and see if you do not think it well worth the price, $1.50. By its purchase you will provide your home with a most excellent book, and will at the same time be helping a most worthy cause.” I believe this to be a plan on which all our people could work with excellent results. It seems to me especially adapted to our ministers who are engaged in field work. In this way I became better acquainted with the people, found the interested ones, and got them to read a most precious volume of truth. I would urge all our field men to put this plan into operation, as I am sure it will prove a blessing to all concerned. I do not believe that my meetings had much if any influence in the matter of my sales, for one who purchased the book had not been at the meeting at all, and for aught I know did not know who I was. In conclusion, I wish to say that I trust none will think that this plan will discourage the canvassing spirit. On the contrary, I believe it will encourage it. Many imagine that there is something very disagreeable about the work of the canvasser. This plan, it seems to me, will tend to get such started in such a way that this dread will vanish, and they will find their introduction to the work so pleasant that it will inspire them to engage in the canvassing work. The above article by Elder Parmele will doubtless suggest to many a feasible way in which to engage in the “Ministry of Healing” work. A printed leaflet, giving a letter after the order of the one suggested in the article, may be had by addressing the General Conference Medical Department, Takoma Park, D. C.