Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By I. G. Bigelow
How to Sell “Ministry of Healing”
The writer submits the following, after twelve months’ field experience in house-to-house work in connection with churches in four conferences. We have the plea of the relief work, which may be used in getting the order; but, in the mind of the writer, there is a stronger factor in selling the book, one that commends itself to the public, and leaves a better influence after the worker has gone, as it really sells the book more upon its merits. As we start out, we may consider that a book may be the remotest thing in the thoughts of those upon whom we are about to call; that they now possess all the books they want, and perhaps have not been reading even these. Because of these common excuses, we must point to the great need of the book that we are about to present, and show how it meets that need. Introduce yourself at the door always as in the interest of a Christian work, and, after stating that you have called to see the person with whom you are speaking for a few moments, step right forward; nine times out of ten the door swings open, and you are invited in. After being seated, mention may again be made of the nature of your work before introducing your book. Call the attention of your prospective customer to the great spread of disease in the world, especially mentioning the great white plague, cancer, and various epidemics, calling attention to the fatality of la grippe and pneumonia, and to the great increase of stomach trouble. State that this spread of disease has caused a demand for sanitariums, in which to care for the suffering and afflicted, and that you represent a system of about sixty such institutions in this country and about twenty in foreign fields; these are Christian institutions, doing a great deal of philanthropic work. Explain the plan of securing help to place these institutions on a basis where they can do more for the sick and suffering, not by soliciting donations, but by the sale of a book which presents some of the latest researches on scientific principles of protection against disease, and gives helpful suggestions on their cure. Though not a doctor-book, it presents health principles clearly, and combines spiritual healing with physical. Mention that you are giving a few hours of your time to this work without remuneration, and that no one derives any financial benefit from it, but that its sale is altogether in behalf of the suffering. Now present the book, calling attention to the second paragraph on page 8, “It is a dedicated book,” etc. Show some of the beautiful illustrations. Read, or let the individual read, some beautiful paragraph, such as that at the bottom of page 94, or one of many others that might be selected. Refer to the poetry on page 258, and call attention to the index, both Scriptural and topical, showing how easily the comment on the text and the different topics can be found. In closing, say: “Now you can see,17Mrs. — (or Mr.), that the book is really worth more than the price asked for it, $1.50; and besides making a good book for your home, you are, by its purchase, helping along a worthy cause. We sell the books for cash, or deliver them any time you may designate. As I stated, Mrs. —, I do not receive a penny from the profits on this book, but the entire profit is devoted to the benefit of suffering humanity.” One of the best selling-points on the book is the two chapters, “The Mother” and “The Child,” pages 371 and 379. Pointing to the picture on page 377, read, or ask the person to read, the paragraph beginning under the picture “The Mother’s Opportunity.” Don’t be afraid to call upon, and present the book to, the different merchants, especially those with whom you are dealing. Hundreds of these books have been sold in this way, and many have thanked the worker for the visit. Field Miss. Sec., Col. Union Conf.