The Canvasser’s Living Epistle
“YE are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 Cor. 3:2, 3. THE canvasser’s manner of life before the people is to them the entering wedge of the gospel. He is “known and read of all men.” His deportment is a true index to his experience. The influence of his life, this living volume, will give direction, to a large degree, to the influence of the written volume which he sells. OUR influence never rests; it “has no nights, and keeps no Sabbaths.” — Miller. “An agent’s life is always the preface and introductory chapter to his book.” — F. Jenks, at Kansas camp meeting. “A canvasser should be the third angel’s message in life,—the embodiment of the truths contained in his book.” — W. W. Prescott, at New York camp meeting. These principles should be a guide in the selection of canvassers. Character and Christian experience should be made the primary test. A man with a rough exterior, and with little ability, except the ability to walk with God and live the truth, may do much good, and have success; whereas the polished man, with ability to talk fluently, and having many gifts, except the gift of grace, or the ability to be honest and true, would do much harm, and fail miserably.