Reports Given at an Old-Fashioned Tract and Missionary Meeting
I GAVE away several papers. I also had with me “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I left a copy for a lady to look at, and when I called a little later, she gave me an order. I saw another woman, who took “Steps to Christ.” This woman did not believe in religion, but after I showed her the book, she wished to have it. This is an excellent book for people who do not believe in Christ. Another evening I went out, and in a few minutes sold two health journals. It is no trouble to sell books and papers. The people are anxious for The Signs of the Times. The Lord blessed me in this work. He always blesses me; he helps and keeps me. I pray that all our brethren and sisters will decide to do something in this good work, no matter how little it may be. I was down town shopping in one of the stores last week. I had been selling The Signs to one of the clerks there. He asked me, “Why don’t you bring The Signs of the Times to me now?” I told him that I had not been selling any lately, and asked why he did not subscribe. He said he would, and promised me a year’s subscription. Brethren and sisters, the people are anxious for The Signs, and if we were just as anxious to sell them as they are to buy, this town would be full of them. Pray that I may do my work as the Lord wants me to do it, and that the message may go forward. I have not done very much, but the Lord has blessed me. One day I sold a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” with hardly any effort. Another day I took a subscription for Good Health. This is a grand and glorious work, and I want to be in just that place where the Lord would have me, and do the work he has for me to do. On Friday there is much to do at home, so I thought I would let my little girl go for me. I asked the Lord to let her be willing to go if he wanted her to do so. I then asked her what she thought; she said, “We want to get the message before the people.” She said she wanted to sell the paper. She went out and sold two copies of the Pacific Health Journal and four of The Signs. I think our little children could do much work if we as parents were not afraid to have them try. The Testimonies say that the children are going to do a great work in giving the message. I ask your prayers that I may labor just where the Lord would have me. I tried to get subscriptions for The Signs and for the health journal; but the Lord impressed me that I should work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Wednesday afternoon, when ready to start, I was impressed to go to one of my neighbors across the road. Just as I arrived there, a storm came on. I had a good talk, and canvassed the lady for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I found that she was anxious to hear, although at first she did not seem to care to look at the book. After I had shown it to her, she said it was a fine book, and gave me an order. By that time the storm had cleared away. I went down town, and sold a book to the doctor who had been attending my little girl. I told him that I had brought a book along, and that I would leave it with him to examine. He took the book, looked at it, and said that he would take it. He said he thought it was a good thing to study the life of Christ. He also wishes another of our books for a Christmas present for his wife. I have tried to be in that place where the Lord can work through me and help me to lead others to him. Pray for me. My face is Zionward, and ever shall be. I have had a good experience in my work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I thought that I was too busy to sell this book, and that I would wait for a slack time. Then I decided to try an experiment. I left a book with some goods I delivered at a house. I told the people that I did not have time to canvass for the book, but that I would leave it for them to look through. I thought I would make a test in this way to see whether a busy person could sell the book. The next time I called at the house, the lady said, “That is an excellent book; I want to keep it.” If the Lord has given us this work to do, he will bless the effort. I went out to see what I could do with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I found my neighbor busy, so I told her that I would leave the book for her to examine. After telling her the object of the book, I said that I would call later. I went back a few days afterward, and she said, “I want that book,” and gave me the money. If we will place the books in the houses, the Lord will sell them. I did nothing toward selling this book, but simply left it with her. This was a Catholic family, too. I want to be in that place where the Lord can work with me. (NOTE: Dear brethren and sisters, may the Lord bring back to us the old-time missionary meetings, the spirit of personal devotion which we enjoyed in former days, and that personal burden for the lost which will lead us to rise up as a body, and give this message at once to the world.)