Pioneer Canvassers Wanted at the Front by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1909

Pioneer Canvassers Wanted at the Front

By E. R. P.

Recently, in a missionary talk, Elder O. A. Olsen made the following statement in emphasizing the influence of the printed page in foreign fields: “The fact is, our publications have pioneered the work in every foreign field that I know of.”

Coming, as this statement does, from an ex-president of the General Conference who has had many years of experience in foreign fields and in the general work, it should be a great encouragement to our canvassers to volunteer to do pioneer work in foreign lands.

Many are doing this, and are being sent to the front, — to Mexico, to Central America, to South America, to India, to Africa, and to other countries. Still the need is greater than the supply.

Volunteers are needed in Mexico, where a little handful of brave young men have been pioneering most successfully.

Elder Steele, who was recently sent to Porto Rico, has made a beginning by demonstrating that books can be sold successfully there. In the first four and one-half days that he worked, he sold one hundred sixteen dollars’ worth of books. Now he sends a most urgent call for at least one canvasser.

Recently the General Conference has voted to send two single young men to India to work under the direction of Brother Carl Weaks, formerly general agent of the North Pacific Union Conference, now on his way to the East.

Two young men from the Avondale school in Australia have for several years been pioneering along the eastern coast of Asia, from Singapore to Shanghai. They have been very successful.

We need volunteers for China, Japan, and the Philippines. For nearly two years a call has been out for six young men to volunteer to pioneer the work in southern Ireland, but thus far no one has been found.

Recently our hearts were made glad on receiving a letter from two young men who volunteer for South America. They accepted the truth three years ago from reading “Great Controversy” and “Bible Readings,” and now they wish to become self-supporting missionaries in some more needy field. We trust that arrangements may be made for them to carry out their desire in the near future.

We wish to hear from others, and especially from hardy, consecrated young men who do not flinch from bearing the yoke in their youth. What better task could any young man wish than to go abroad to some needy field, learn a language, learn the manners and customs of the people, help plant the good seed, and grow up in experience with the message which he has been instrumental in establishing. We shall be glad to hear from any whom the Spirit of God may stir up for such work. E. R. P.