Canvassers’ Institutes by E. R. Palmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 31, 1906

Canvassers’ Institutes

By E. R. Palmer

We have received from Brother H. H. Hall, manager of the Circulating Department of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, a copy of a letter which he has recently sent out to the State agents in the Pacific Press territory, giving interesting information concerning the institutes which have been held this spring. We take the liberty of quoting several paragraphs from this letter:—

“Since our last letter was sent out, many things have happened. First in importance is the series of institutes. Never before since my connection with the book work have we heard such encouraging words from institutes. With few exceptions they have been real canvassing institutes, and not general studies. The attention of each student has been directed to the book for which he was to canvass, and, generally speaking at least, they have been fully prepared before being given a prospectus and sent into the field. Not only have they been prepared by the institutes and seemingly impressed with the importance of the work, but it has given them a love for it. For example, here is a quotation just received from a letter from W. B. White, who is at College Place, Wash.:—

“‘Canvassers are going out evenings, and are doing well. Brethren Stauffer and Moran went out yesterday, made six exhibitions, and sold six copies of “Great Controversy.”’

Our Walla Walla Institute

“Brethren Thomas G. Johnson, E. M. Oberg, and G. Phillips, and myself held an institute at Walla Walla which had the largest and most enthusiastic attendance of any meeting at which I was ever present. Upward of fifty took the class, and they worked hard. Prof. M. E. Cady gave us every possible opportunity we could ask to carry on our work, and the students themselves seemed to enjoy it. He gave us the chapel hour in the morning to meet our class by themselves, and gave those not taking the regular class the opportunity of attending this hour. Sometimes we had seventy-five.

“This speaks for the general interest manifested in the book work. Brother Oberg and I were compelled to leave a week before the class closed, to begin our work at the Laurelwood Industrial School at Gaston, Ore. Brother Phillips writes us, however, that the work closed gloriously. We hope for a general revival of the book work in the Northwest as a result.

The Laurelwood Institute

“This is an intermediate school, and at the present time has about forty-five in attendance. Prof. R. W. Airey is in charge, and gave us opportunity of presenting our institute plans before the school, and helped us all he could to make them a success.

“Eleven took ‘Heralds of the Morning,’ and six ‘Great Controversy.’ I was compelled to leave in the midst of this institute on account of the terrible disaster in California; but even before I left, the same enthusiasm was being manifested as had been in Walla Walla. Brother Phillips came a few days later, and writes that the institute is closing up strongly.

Cottage Grove (Ore.) Institute

“At Cottage Grove, Brother Paap is teaching a church-school, and has five or six students who he expects will enter

the work in Coos County, Oregon, Brethren Phillips and Oberg will spend a week or ten days with them.

Puyallup (Wash.) Institute

“Plans have been laid by which Brethren Phillips and Coffin will conduct an institute immediately at the close of the camp-meeting at Puyallup.

Healdsburg (Cal.) Institute

“Brother Covell has a most enthusiastic class at Healdsburg, according to all reports. Elders Wilcox and Tait spent yesterday there, and are both very hopeful, indeed, as to the outcome of their work. Brother Covell is doing everything in his power to thoroughly prepare his students for the field, and if we are to take last year’s record as an indication of how they will succeed this year, we may expect great things. He has twenty-six in his class.

Northern Union Institutes

“We have letters from Brethren Reiber, Manfull, Fry, and James concerning the work in the Northern Union. South Dakota seems to be leading in the number of agents at work, and Brother Manfull tells us that the conference is doing everything in its power to co-operate with them. At their institute they had nine students on ‘Great Controversy,’ eight on ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ and four on ‘Prophecies of Jesus.’ We understand others came in later. This was the report at the opening of the institute.

“At Harvey, N. D., Brethren Reiber and James had an interesting time, and were assisted by the president of the conference. Eleven attended that institute, and they expect fifteen in all will work in that field this year.

“Brother F. F. Fry arrived in Minnesota quite late, and could not hold a regular institute, but has been doing private work among his agents. Although the book work was down in that State, it is beginning to show signs of revival under the earnest efforts being put forth by Brethren Fry and James.

“Brother W. O. James, of Alberta, writes us that he is now located, and expects soon to see the work started. From a personal talk I had with Brother R. S. Greaves, who is now attending Walla Walla College, but who used to live in Alberta, I believe that will be one of our best book fields a little time hence. We haven’t heard from Manitoba.

Work in the Central Union

“Among the most encouraging letters we have received is one from our youngest State agent—youngest, we mean, from the standpoint of experience—C. G. Bellah, of Missouri. He says:—

“‘We closed an institute at Carthage on April 1. Eleven will go out. Every week sees new recruits. We are getting a corps of workers, who I believe will stay right with this thing. It has been our aim to present the matter to our people from the standpoint of duty,—not financial gain,—but because souls are perishing in their sins. I believe that when we give this message, straight and pointed, our workers will remain with us.

“‘I have been helping the boys in the field. Here are some results:—

“‘One day with Brother Johnson, $30.75; one and one-half days with Brother Trummer, $38; three days with Brother Cottrell, $73; two days with Brother Rowe, $87.

“‘I have just made out my report for March. The comparative sales for 1905 and 1906 for the months of January, February, and March are as follows:—

“‘January and February, 1905, $453; 1906, $569.25. March, 1905, $435; 1906, $720.25.

“‘Pray for us that the Lord may lead continually.’

Prospective Agents

“Just now there is great interest in the Earthquake number of The Signs of the Times. It is being sold everywhere by almost everybody. Office employees here, as many of our church-members as can leave their other duties, and a number of outside persons who are interested in our work, are thoroughly canvassing this valley. They are going to many outside towns, and are meeting with remarkable success. Ought we not as bookmen to watch carefully for book talent among these workers with our periodicals?” E. R. PALMER.

Sec. Gen. Conf. Pub. Dept.