The Effect of the Canvassing Work Upon Our Christian Experience
By J. E. Froom
Those who can enter the canvassing work, but do not, are restrained by a fear of the financial prospects, or else they do not realize the importance of the third angel’s message. A candid examination of the case would show these very considerations to be reason for dropping other professions, and engaging in this department of the message. The entire history of our canvassing work shows that the faithful, energetic canvasser can support himself. Of the importance of this work, enough can be said to cause every true-hearted follower of Christ to review his own case, and see whether he is in the line of duty; and although the canvassing work is everywhere recognized as a grand educational factor, I wish to speak of what I regard as the most important consideration; namely, its effect upon our Christian experience. The more I think of it, the more I regard this calling as a blessing from the hand of our Heavenly Father. The successful Christian canvasser will necessarily have a genuine experience that will develop his character, and better fit him to represent Christ in any position where he may afterward be placed. Let us notice his experience from the beginning, and see if it is not only intensely practical, but one that brings him into a close relationship with Christ. A young brother hears the call for laborers. He has a real interest in the work of God; but being associated with those who are absorbed in their preparation for worldly employment, he has heretofore supposed that the Lord’s work was mostly to be done by others, and has felt unworthy of the name “missionary;” but as he listens to the appeal for workers, and hears how the Lord works through and for those who go out in answer to duty’s call, he is impressed by the Holy Spirit that where his treasure is, there will his heart be also, and that bending all his energies to succeed in secular business is not conducive to a growth in Christian experience. So he talks with the church elder and the Sabbath-school superintendent, who are both pleased to see the young people interested in the progress of the cause, but are so anxious to have them in the school and meeting that they are loath to urge any of the young into the canvassing work. At home the parents are counseled with. They have always desired to see their children zealous in the Lord’s service; yet they dislike to say that it would not be best to wait a year longer before going out into the world. Thus our young friends are left to decide for themselves. After viewing the question from many different standpoints, thinking how much help they can be to their parents, and how they would like to work more directly than ever before for some of their schoolmates, they go to their closet, and on their knees tell the Saviour that if he will make the path of duty plain before them, they will walk in it. Then as they think of the text in 2 Cor. 10: 12, they determine not to measure themselves by others, and they are able to launch out even while others continue to wait for the Lord of the harvest to repeat the call for laborers. As they come from the place of prayer, what a flood of joy and peace fills their soul, which is not only yielded to Christ, but is eagerly saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This victory will affect the entire life of the canvasser, and he knows that it was gained by yielding his will to Christ. As the canvasser starts out, relying on the promises of God, success is sure to come. Many times a day his heart is filled with gratitude, as he sees evidences that Christ is assisting him in his work, and he rejoices that it is the Christian’s privilege not merely to reign with Jesus in heaven, but also to live with him on earth. O blessed privilege! He loves the Saviour as a friend, and so his love increases for those whom Christ died to save. As the canvasser enters a house, and tries to interest the people in the teachings of God’s Word, he feels that it is God’s will that he should succeed in interesting them; and he concentrates all his powers on the case in hand. How earnest he becomes as he realizes that the words of his mouth will either draw souls toward Christ or drive them from him! As he senses his responsibility, how it humbles him! He feels that he must have wisdom from above, that even in his intercourse with the neighbors, and in his business transactions, his influence may be to gather with Christ. Under such circumstances, success is the sure and legitimate result.