Repeated Calls for Canvassers by N. Z. Town

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

Repeated Calls for Canvassers

By N. Z. Town

ONE of the most painful experiences through which the members of the Foreign Mission Board are called upon to pass, is that of being obliged repeatedly to say “No” to the requests which come from the needy mission fields for men and means. From time to time some of these calls have been published in the REVIEW. A few of the fields have been supplied, while others have had to wait and are still waiting, notwithstanding that the workers continue to repeat the calls with increased earnestness. This has been especially true concerning India.

For nearly two years the Publishing Department of the General Conference has been making efforts to secure two experienced canvassers for that field in response to the urgent requests which have come. Thus far our efforts have been fruitless; but notwithstanding this, as the great need presses upon the brethren in India, they can not but repeat the call. Under date of February 16, Brother Carl Weaks, who is in charge of the circulation of our literature in India, wrote:—

“I feel badly, Brother Town, that we can not have more canvassers. I do hope that you can get two started off for India by the last of August.”

Writing again, March 1, he says:—

“I hope we may have the two men who are to come here by the middle of September, or by October 1. . . . Will close, hoping and praying that two good canvassers may start for India not later than August.”

Under date of March 8, he repeats this request as follows:—

“I hope that you can have our two men out here by October 1. Our cool season is short, and that is our harvest-time.”

At the time these calls came, we were obliged to notify Brother Weaks that not only had the men not been found, but that the funds in the mission treasury were so low they could not be sent, even if they were ready to go. In reply, Brother Weaks says:—

“I was very sorry indeed to hear that funds are in such a condition that you fear you will be unable to send out any canvassers this fall. I am sorry; for it seems too bad to go stumbling on with scarcely any canvassers. Our canvassers can make their work largely self-supporting, so there is very little expense other than transportation.

“I am willing to make a donation of seventy-five rupees toward their fare, and I feel confident that I can raise quite a little more. If they were to come third-class from England, I think I could raise nearly the price of one ticket. I just can’t give up the idea of getting these canvassers this fall. We simply must have them.”

In a letter to Brother E. R. Palmer, dated May 11, Elder J. L. Shaw, superintendent of the India Mission, says:—

“As you know, we have been looking for two or three years for canvassers from home; but now when our hopes are the highest, and we really expected to get canvassers, word comes from the Mission Board telling of the impossibility of sending out many workers the coming year. . . . I think we would be willing to put our hands down into our own pockets to bring out two good canvassers. When they get into the field, if they have been successful agents at home, they will be able to pay their wages here. Brother Raymond worked on commission last year, and put by about three hundred dollars. For two years, Brother J. S. James canvassed for our papers only. At the end of the two years, in looking over his receipts, we found that paying him fifty per cent was sufficient to pay his salary and traveling expenses for himself and wife during the two years. Our only hope in this country in making the work in any way self-supporting, is through what we are able to do in raising up converts among the English-speaking people and the circulation of our literature.

“When we get ministers working in English, I believe we shall get converts who will be suitable for the canvassing work without always looking to the home land for help; but when evangelical work stops in English, of course it retrogrades, and there is little hope of getting workers to take up the canvassing work.

“While I know that other fields are greatly in need of help, and I do not want to press our claims beyond reason, yet I believe, Brother Palmer, if you were in the field and saw the situation here, you would feel inclined to make strenuous efforts to put two evangelical workers and two canvassers into India before the close of this year.”

Surely, such appeals as these ought to touch hearts that will be willing to respond, “Here am I; send me.” Is there not some one also, among those who read this, who will give the money to pay the fares of the two workers out to India? The Publishing Department of the General Conference will be glad to hear from any such, and also from those who are willing to respond to the call. N. Z. TOWN.