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A Precious Experience

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 21.

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A Precious Experience

By E. Russell Potter

SOMETIMES one good experience in the canvassing work outweighs by far all the trying experiences we meet.
A few days ago a canvasser was reading to a family some of the precious thoughts from “Christ’s Object Lessons,” when the man (not knowing who published it) inquired what the canvasser thought of the Seventh-day Adventists.
The canvasser replied that he was one himself. The man said, “I can not help it if you are; the Adventists are doing wrong in working when everybody else is worshiping.”
“Of course it is a fact,” said the canvasser, “that the keeping of the seventh day will not save anybody, but obedience does save; and I love the Lord, and really want to do the Lord’s will in everything.”
“Will you not come back for dinner and talk this over?” asked the man. The canvasser accepted the invitation, and immediately after dinner he was asked to prove from the Bible that Saturday is the Sabbath at the present time. He replied, “I do not wish to argue over this matter, but if you will get your Bible, I shall be glad to study it with you.”
After two hours’ study together in a good spirit, the man told his wife that he would like two of those books; so they ordered “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Best Stories.”
Before leaving, the canvasser read a portion of Scripture, and offered prayer. He arose from his knees feeling that God was indeed near, and went on his way rejoicing.
Space will not permit to tell of the many precious experiences that have come to my knowledge of late. But they show the importance of the message which says, “As you visit the people, tell them that you are a gospel worker, and that you love the Lord.”
“While you should not force doctrinal points upon the people, you should be ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
“The Bible abounds in practical lessons, which the canvasser may safely present. If he can by this means impart a knowledge of practical religion, he will be feeding the people, who need just such precious food.”
E. RUSSELL POTTER, General Agent of Manitoba.