The Book Work in Virginia by U. D. Pickard

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1911

The Book Work in Virginia

By U. D. Pickard

ONE should enter the canvassing work with the thought of winning souls for God, and not from a commercial standpoint. God knows what we need, and he will look after that if we do our duty faithfully. One canvasser, working in the southern part of Virginia, has brought several persons into the truth, and to-day they are carrying the good news to others. That same canvasser just sent me his report for week ending November 3. He worked twenty-nine hours, and sold eighty-three dollars’ worth of books. One day he worked seven hours and took twenty-four dollars’ worth of orders, thus averaging over three dollars an hour. Brethren, there are bright prospects in the canvassing field for those who are willing to forsake all and work for God. Will not some who read these words answer the call to scatter the printed page? Shall not 1912 be the banner year for our canvassing work throughout the world-wide field?

Doubtless many feel very loath to go out into the canvassing work. In the days of the judges of Israel there came at one time a call for help against the Canaanites. Through the neglect of God’s people these idolators had so increased and fortified themselves that it took brave soldiers to rally to the call to go up against Sisera. The men of the tribe of Reuben felt a desire to respond to this call, but the record tells us that they abode by their sheepfolds, having “great thoughts of heart.” There are many to-day who have “great thoughts of heart” regarding the canvassing work, but that is all. However, two tribes went up against the Canaanites, and we find that Christ began his work in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. The scripture says of these two tribes, “Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.” I am so glad that God calls the field a high place.

At this time Deborah the prophetess was “a mother in Israel.” It was then that the stars fought from heaven in their courses. We are nearing the final battle of Armageddon, recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation, when again the powers of heaven fight for God’s people. “My heart is often burdened because so many who might work are doing nothing. They are the sport of Satan’s temptations. Every church-member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no man can work. Ere long we shall understand what that night means. The Spirit of God is being grieved away from the earth. The nations are angry with one another. Wide-spread preparations are being made for war. The night is at hand. Let the church arouse and go forth to do her appointed work. Every believer, educated or uneducated, can bear the message.” If God has called you to carry the message through the medium of the canvassing work, will you not respond to-day?

“Time is short, and our forces must be organized to do a larger work. Laborers are needed who comprehend the greatness of the work, and who will engage in it, not for the wages they receive, but from a realization of the nearness of the end.” Brethren, if we could realize that the end is just before us, we would begin to be in earnest about finishing God’s work. U. D. PICKARD.