p. 17 | Selling “Daniel and the Revelation” by Walter Harper

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

Selling “Daniel and the Revelation”

By Walter Harper

MARCH 28 I left Loma Linda, Cal., to canvass a short time in Kern County before going north for the summer to work. For the last seven years that treasure-vault of truth, “Patriarchs and Prophets,” has been my leading book. As I had already sold “Patriarchs and Prophets” once or twice in this section, I decided to try “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” here. It was rather awkward at first, as I had not sold this volume since the spring of 1886, twenty-five years ago. But the Lord gives success, and I have taken several orders each day for it. During my last week’s canvass in Kern and San Bernardino counties, I have taken over $156 worth of orders for “Daniel and the Revelation” and other books. All honor, glory, and praise be to his name.

It was in May, 1881, just thirty years ago this month, that I began to canvass. My first book was “Home Hand Book,” which was, I believe, the first, as it was at that time the only, subscription-book in all our ranks. I started from near Fairview, Fresno County, from the home of our late beloved Brother W. R. Smith. In about one week I had taken eleven orders for the book, besides a number of yearly subscriptions to Good Health. The first day’s work God blessed with three orders for the medical book, besides some yearly subscriptions for Good Health. In those days the cheapest binding for “Home Hand Book” was eight dollars, in cloth, and nine dollars for the library binding. In about one week I was taken down with malaria; but after a short stay in the mountains, I was able to resume my work in the valley.

In the fall of 1882 I went to San Luis Obispo County to sell “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” by Elder Uriah Smith. Here, again, the Lord wonderfully blessed. By his grace I scattered that good book broadcast over that county and as far south as the northern end of Santa Barbara County. In the spring of 1883 I went to Oregon to work for “Daniel and the Revelation.” God surely wrought there. One day at Roseburg, Ore., I was blessed in selling fifteen copies; in one week at Marshfield and on Coos Bay, Ore., I took eighty-two orders, valued at $250. In the fall of 1883 I was in Seattle, Wash., and early in 1884 at some small towns in Chautauqua County, Kansas. In the summer of 1884 I was in western Montana; and in the spring of 1885 Brother A. C. Johnson, of Lawrence, Kan., went with me to eastern Montana, and later on, to the Black Hills, in South Dakota. In one day at Fort Meade, S. D., we took twenty-two orders for “Daniel and the Revelation.” In the spring of 1886 I began to canvass for “Great Controversy” at Seattle, Wash. In four or five years, in a number of States and Territories, I delivered over six thousand copies of that priceless volume.

Now after all this time, I find myself handling “Daniel and the Revelation” once more. In the past I have had some of the most blessed experiences of my life while canvassing for this good book. I also still have “Patriarchs and Prophets,” which I now sell mostly to Mexicans and the Spanish-speaking population. It is wonderful to see how these people buy this good book, and how the Lord blesses in the sale of it. Some of these poor people, living in shacks, order and pay for the highest-priced, full morocco binding. Of late my experience with these people has been most refreshing, and a continual series of answers to prayer. Their honor and promptness to meet their promises would put some of their white peers to shame. I also sell “Great Controversy” in foreign tongues, notably French; also on this trip, as a relief book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” having sold from three to seven copies a day, and twenty-two in one week. This work brings a blessing into all my other work.

Soon on other trips I propose to work again for “Ministry of Healing” as the relief book, as an adjunct to my regular canvassing work. I plan to take “Object Lessons” on one trip and “Ministry of Healing” on the next. I find many blessings in selling these books. God’s good angels go with their presentation, and there is blessing, peace, and joy in the work.

WALTER HARPER.