Results From the Sale of Our Message-Filled Books
By W. C. Thompson
WHILE canvassing in California fifteen or sixteen years ago, I was one day wearily plodding up a small valley. The day was one of the hottest of a California summer; add to this a very dusty road, long stretches of country between houses, and the fact that the people were not disposed to read books, much less buy them, and you can easily imagine my feelings upon this occasion. Finally, with a sigh of relief, what was thought to be the last house in the little valley was reached, and the occupants were canvassed, but with no results. They were not interested in my book. This had been my experience throughout that little valley all day long, and I was glad that the day was near an end. However, the day’s work did not close at this juncture, nor in the disappointing way it promised, but rather with an experience to which I look back as one of the brightest of my life. On turning to leave the last persons canvassed, by merest accident I caught a glimpse of a humble little cottage about a mile farther on, at the very head of the valley. With the discovery came a feeling of disappointment; for I had long made it a rule to pass none by. To all appearances, the tramp thither meant the prolonging of an unprofitable day. On inquiry I was informed that an Italian family lived there. This was received as good news, for it would excuse me from making the call; but the next words of my informant dashed such hopes to the ground,—“The man can read English, and is very intelligent.” So, saying “Good-by,” I started for the Italian home. On arriving I was greeted at the gate by the owner, and lost no time in producing my book and beginning the canvass. As the prospect appeared so unpromising, and I was very weary, I was going through the book—“Prophecies of Jesus”—rather mechanically; but soon my interest revived, as there was something fascinating in the attention manifested in its contents by my hearer. However, the man did not interrupt me until I had finished the description. He then enthusiastically informed me that he had a book “very much like the one” I was showing. “It is not just the same book,” he added, “but treats of the same things. It is a wonderful book. I bought it about two years ago from a canvasser.” “What book is it you speak of?” “‘Great Controversy,’” he replied; “I will show it to you.” Going within, and bringing the book out, he said: “I have read this book many times; it is such a good book.” “Yes, that is a good book. Do you believe what it says?” “I am glad you believe the book, for it teaches truth, and I hope you try to live what you believe.” “I do try to live as it teaches.” “I am glad to hear that. You ought to be a good ‘Seventh-day Adventist.’” “I have never met any Seventh-day Adventists. I would be very happy if I could see even one who keeps God’s Sabbath.” “My brother, I am a Seventh-day Adventist. I keep the Sabbath, and believe the Lord is soon coming to redeem his people.” As I told him this, his joy knew no bounds. With tears of joy and words of thankfulness to God, he embraced me, asking me again to assure him that I was one of those who believed as the book taught. He then led me into the house, and introduced me to his wife. On further inquiry I learned that this Italian brother, for such he is to-day, had begun keeping the Sabbath nearly two years before that time. What is still more surprising, when we take into consideration that he had been a Catholic, he was in harmony with every truth this people teach. As proof of this, he produced from a drawer a sack containing over a hundred dollars’ tithe, which he had saved up, “waiting for the true church,” as he explained. The next thing this brother wanted to know was where there was a company of Sabbath-keepers and a minister; he desired to be baptized and unite with the church. I was glad to tell him we had a church only about a day’s drive away. Hither he drove the following Friday, taking his tithe with him. Elder William Ings was there that Sabbath, and he baptized the Italian without hesitancy. His wife also united with this church a little later. This Italian brother went as our first missionary to Italy. He was not sent by the Mission Board, however, but paid his own way; for though he had a very humble home, he was a prosperous gardener. This is only one of many like instances that could be told of results of the circulation of our books. The canvasser who sold the “Great Controversy” may never know, in this life, of the good accomplished through his work; and though I took only one order for my book that day, the one given me by the Italian, I felt compensated for my labor.