Our Missionary Example by A. J. S. B.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1909

Our Missionary Example

By A. J. S. B.

We believe that our many canvassers, periodical agents, and other house-to-house workers will be greatly encouraged, as we ourselves were, by the following thoughts presented by Elder Luther Warren to the canvassers assembled at one of our camp-meetings in the West. He said:—

“Jesus said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.’ In that he was just like the canvasser. He also said, ‘If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.’ This is also what the Christian canvasser says.

“Jesus has something to sell. ‘I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and the white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, . . . and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.’

“He is like the canvasser in another respect. If the people in the house do not answer when He stands at the door and knocks, he goes on. But, like the faithful canvasser, he does not become discouraged, but comes back to that same home and stands at the door and knocks again. He keeps at it. Yet he is so patient with his customers, so gentle, and so kind with us all.”

Jesus prays for his house-to-house messengers. And not only for them, but also for the people whom he wishes them to visit. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” With these thoughts before us, who will not feel like doing more aggressive, Christlike missionary work than ever before? A. J. S. B.