p. 21 | The Way to Success by J. Johanson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1903

The Way to Success

By J. Johanson

SUCCESS is not a matter of luck; it is invariably the result of thorough preparation and persistent effort; and failure in canvassing is often caused by lack of appreciation of the book you handle, and lack of appreciation is due to lack of knowledge.

The agent who knows his book thoroughly will have an appreciation of it that will make itself felt with the people he meets. Many workers who bemoan their failure might just as well be rejoicing in their success if they would only take Paul's advice to “give diligence to reading.” There is power in the truth; and all the power needed to convince people that they need our literature, that their soul’s salvation depends upon the truth, is found in the very books we handle. “Every soul is surrounded by an influence of its own,—an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love.” The man who has his mind full of the truth is “charged” with power; and if he is full of it, there is no room for doubt, discouragement, or failure. If you desire to make this work a success, study the description of your book. Study your prospectus, and day by day, with your Bible, carefully study the book you are selling. In this way you will continually get fresh, strong points from your book which will be an inspiration to you, and through you a blessing to the people; for “by the atmosphere surrounding us every person we meet is consciously or unconsciously affected.” J. JOHANSON, General Agent of Australasia.