Some Reasons Why Our Periodical Work Should be Followed by Personal Efforts
By A. D. Gilbert
The distribution of literature containing present truth has always seemed to me a sacred work. From my first experience in the canvassing field about fourteen years ago, I have always felt it to be wrong to pass by a family, or even a person, without giving them the opportunity of receiving the truth from my hand; therefore I have often stopped individuals in the street to canvass them. It occurred to me that they might never pass that way again, and possibly the Lord had impressed them to go down that very road on purpose to receive the truth from my hand. Should they be passed by unheeded, the opportunity of saving their souls might be lost forever. I still feel that no such opportunity should be slighted. In our efforts to win souls to Christ and his kingdom, not one cottage, however humble, should be passed by, not one open door left unentered. To me it seems very important that the sale of a periodical be followed with personal calls and labor if possible. Those purchasing the paper may become interested in its message, and perhaps would like further reading-matter; but should the worker be careless or indifferent, and fail to call on these interested persons, then those who might be won to the truth would be passed by, and their interest lost. Personal experience has taught me to follow up carefully by weekly visits every effort put forth with our pioneer missionary papers, The Signs of the Times and Present Truth. Many a time I have walked two miles or more to deliver a single copy. The receiver was reading it with great interest, and gradually becoming a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. By following up such an interest with personal visits from week to week, many will become thoroughly established in the truth, and the worker will thus maintain a standing weekly list of readers. When making future calls, little trouble, if any, will be experienced in finding the place if a record is kept of work done when making the first call. If you fail to put down the name of the street and the number of the house, some interested reader may be passed by. God is very particular as to how the work is done; therefore we can ill afford to be less than very careful. Many will look for your weekly calls with considerable interest. Your hopeful words and cheerful countenance may make a lasting impression on their lives. Many a heart has been won to Jesus by some short spiritual conversation. As we go from door to door, our words should be few and well chosen. Do not let a timid feeling get the better of you; but pray as you go, and the Lord will stand by your side to strengthen and help you. When you approach a person, do so with confidence; believe that he will purchase your goods. Faith is your victory. Saturday night is a good time to sell our periodicals on the street, in public thoroughfares, in saloons or shops, and at private houses. When calling at a private house, simply say something like this: “I have called to see if you would like one of our missionary papers to read to-morrow. It contains interesting short Bible stories, suitable for both old and young.” Hand it to the one you are addressing, and say: “Just have a look at it by the light.” In this way many papers may be sold after dark. It has always been my plan when selling periodicals at private houses, to say, “I will call when passing this way. You may like another copy.” I shall then be expected. Just now is a good time in which to begin working more energetically with our periodicals. The evenings are getting longer; people will now do more reading than during the hot, sultry days of summer. Our publications should be scattered broadcast like the leaves of autumn. Let every one who loves the Lord and believes21that this message should go to the world in this generation come forward now and begin work. Give your order to the librarian of your church, and when the Signs come, begin to “hunt” for precious souls (Jer. 16:16), and “lend” the third angel’s message “to many nations” (Deut. 15:6) by carrying it to them in our periodicals. If you have not yet tasted the joys experienced in carrying the message to others, come and taste now. The special Harvest number of the Signs will soon be off the press, and ready for distribution. May every Seventh-day Adventist in America have a burden to dispose of at least twenty copies of this special number. Many will do much more than that; but I think we should average at least twenty-five copies each. May each one follow up his work by personally calling again with the next number of the Signs. In this way a definite work may be accomplished by this special effort. May we all enjoy the presence and blessing of God by doing personal missionary work for those near our door. A. D. GILBERT.