Hold Up the Hands of the Workers
By V. O. Cole
A CANVASSERS’ institute will be held at Graysville, Tenn., beginning April 13 and lasting four weeks. Thirty-four of the students of the Southern Training School desire instruction in this important branch of the Lord’s work, and have expressed a desire to spend a part, if not all, of their five months’ summer vacation in selling the printed page. Thus we see the results of a true Christian education. If any who are not connected with the training school, but who have a desire to canvass, wish to receive the instructions to be given at this time, we would extend to them a hearty invitation to attend. No tuition will be charged, and we trust that all may be benefited by attending. We hope that the Holy Spirit will not only guide in giving the instructions, but also in receiving them. We take fresh courage as we see the old-time missionary spirit coming back into this department of the work. A recent Testimony says that the Lord calls for many more to enter the canvassing work in the year 1903. So, brethren, let us begin now to pray that his Spirit may so rest upon us that we may not disappoint the Saviour in this matter. Let us show our faith by our works. We are told, in “Christ’s Object Lessons,” that “all his biddings are enablings,” and that “we should never once think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.” So let us cease doubting, and begin to pray for the “faith that works.” If there are those in the North who have a burden for this field and for this work, who can come well recommended from their home conference, we shall be glad to correspond with them. No doubt such will be familiar with the many Testimonies concerning the needs of this field. Everything indicates that this will be a prosperous year for the book work, and we trust that the Lord may impress our hearts with the importance of making the best use of the time that remains, while the angels are yet holding the four winds, until this work can be completed, and every soul warned of the approaching danger. One thing more I would mention here, and I trust that every Seventh-day Adventist in the Southern field may read carefully and pray earnestly over this closing remark. The Testimony must certainly mean something which says, “Where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred,” and, “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our literature before the people, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.” And surely there is a place where every one can have some part in this closing work. On page 327 of “Christ’s Object Lessons” we read these words: “Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansion than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God.” We would not construe this to mean that every one should go out and sell our books, or that it is necessary for all to leave their homes in order to do the work that the Lord would have them do in spreading this truth. But is there not some way in which those who can not leave their homes can hold up the hands of those who are able and willing to do? For certainly we all must have some part in this work. Are there not those who wish to have some one canvass in the place where they live, who can furnish a room free or cheap board to one or two lady canvassers during the summer season? And are there not others who can furnish a home over Sabbaths and Sundays to some of our brethren while they canvass the county in which these live? There may be some who can help in other ways, and we believe that a rich blessing will come to those who make a little sacrifice, and thus hold up the hands of these faithful workers. We shall be glad to correspond with any one who wishes to encourage this work, either by attending the canvassers’ institute, preparatory for entering the work, or by tending a helping hand to others. May the Spirit of God guide each of us in this matter. V. O. COLE. Cleveland, Tenn.