Missouri by Chas. G. Bellah

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

Missouri

By Chas. G. Bellah

When presenting the needs of the ripened harvest-field for consecrated canvassers, I am often asked such questions as: “Will it pay?” “Do you think I could make a success of it?” “Could I earn a living for my family?” etc. Now these are legitimate questions, and require a candid answer. And I know of no more satisfactory way of answering them than by giving some brief reports of work that has actually been done this summer.

Thinking that perhaps the readers of the good old REVIEW would be pleased to see the faces of some of our Missouri canvassers, as well as to get a report of their work, we had the accompanying picture taken on the Versailles campground. We placed “Patriarchs and Prophets,” in morocco binding, with the photographer as part pay.

We would not ask for a more earnest, consecrated army of workers than we have had this summer. We have endeavored to advance as Luther did up the stairway of Pilate, on our knees, and as a result the Lord has most wonderfully blessed.

The following brief report shows the work done from Jan. 1 to Aug. 1, 1906:—

MO.	AGTS.	HRS.	ORDERS	AMT.	PER HR.
Jan.	2	...	...	$ 268.50	...
Feb.	6	296	85	320.75	$1.08
March	7	467	200	720.25	1.54
April	11	835	427	1,297.35	1.55
May	19	1,663	875	2,493.80	1.50
June	30	2,898	1,110	3,496.50	1.20
July	20	1,746	641	2,276.25	1.30
Totals		7,905	3,338	$10,873.40	$1.38

This gives a general average of $1.38 an hour for each canvasser for the summer.

Six students came from Union College, and earned their scholarship for the coming year. They made the following excellent records:—

NO.	WEEKS	ORDERS	VALUE
1	10	113	$ 387.50
2	8	92	402.25
3	10	144	446.25
4	11	185	568.25
5	9	253	779.00
6	14	318	1,021.75

A COMPANY OF SUCCESSFUL CANVASSERS IN MISSOURI

We have many good strong home workers as well. One canvasser in six weeks secured two hundred and forty orders for “Great Controversy;” value, $723. Another, a boy aged thirteen, in ten weeks secured one hundred and forty-eight orders for “Bible Readings;” value, $397.50. Still another boy, aged nine, left home one Sunday afternoon with small books, and came in the following Wednesday, having made thirty-one cash sales. These records are certainly encouraging.

We could give other good reports, but space forbids. This reveals only the monetary feature. The real results of souls saved, will be known in the better land. May God help us to pray, trust, toil, and sacrifice till every sin-sick, benighted soul has had shine the light of present truth upon his darkened life, thus giving him an opportunity of preparing for the speedy return of Jesus. If this report should encourage some doubting, halting one to enter this ripened harvest, and labor for perishing souls, it will accomplish what the writer had in mind in preparing it for publication.

CHAS. G. BELLAH, State Agent.