The Lord is giving some blessed experiences to those who are in sympathy with the movement to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons.” These experiences would be very interesting to our people; but for lack of space, I will relate only a few of them.
One of the ministers of Wisconsin visited his home church to interest the members in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” They felt that it would be a difficult work, and said that they had little courage to undertake it. The minister was finally told that they believed it would be impossible for him to make a success in selling the book. He realized that the usefulness of that church largely depended upon his course. He had never canvassed, and began to realize that he was placed in a position where he must close his mouth, or show what he could do in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” He said that he never passed through a struggle much more severe than this one. But there was only one thing for him to do if he would obey God, and that was to go out with the book. He struggled and prayed over the matter all night, and until three o’clock in the afternoon of the following day. At three o’clock he started out, and worked one and three-fourths hours. He took the portion of the town that the church had said was the most difficult part. It was Friday afternoon, and he could not canvass longer; but when he had finished his work, he found that he had sold twenty-two books. He realized that God had done it through him.
When the story of his experience was told to the church, they still seemed to be doubting, and said that they did not believe that he could sell books in the resident portion of the town. The minister was obliged to leave the place Monday, yet He made up his mind that he would demonstrate to them that they were wrong on this point, too. Sunday afternoon he spent two hours in the resident portion of the town, and took eight orders. The church had nothing more to say. They ordered their quota of books, and began at once to sell them, and have had success.
The brother made thirty-two canvasses in all, and sold thirty books. He says now that he understands the meaning of what has appeared in the Testimonies of late to the ministers,—that they should canvass; that there are many who have been only consumers, and not producers; and that all should be put to the test in order to determine their power with God.
One of the churches in Wisconsin took no part in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” last year. The conference president asked me to visit this church. When the church learned that I was coming, some of the members said that it would never do for me to come and find them in the condition that they were in, but that they must do something before I reached the place. Five of them went out, and seventeen hours were spent in canvassing. One brother sold twenty-five books, his wife five, his sister five, and two others five,—total, forty. This little experience brought great courage into the church, and they had a wonderful social meeting as the result; and when I reached them, their interest was up to a white heat, and all that was necessary was to organize them into four companies, placing over each company an officer of the church, and an earnest young person as an assistant. They agreed to sell four books for every name on the church roll, even though about one half of the members were not active ones. God has vindicated His promise to this church, in that He has unified them, and brought in a spirit of courage and love as the result of the little work that has been done.
In one church in this State there are no English brethren. Elder Daniells’s letter was translated by one of the brethren, and read to the church. They were deeply moved, and decided that they would sell their quota. They at once ordered fifty English books, but as these brethren are not familiar with the English language, they will have to sell these books at considerable disadvantage.
In another church a sister who had dreaded the canvassing work for years, and felt that she never could go to her neighbors with literature, was so pricked by the Spirit of God that she completely yielded herself to the Lord, and gave herself to the work. It was a fearful struggle, yet after it was over, she went out with good courage. She sold her four books to the first four persons she met. She is deeply interested in the work, and is having success.
In another church a woman not of our faith was told the story of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and she became interested. She secured one of the books, and in one afternoon sold eight copies. She was very happy over the result, and when her husband, who is a business man, returned in the evening, she told him her experience. He was led to try it also, and sold three books the next day.
Books have been sold by those who were unable to go out, and even by some who were compelled to remain in bed, but the work was resting so heavily upon their hearts that when friends came to visit them, they were obliged to speak of the book, and thus secured orders. Nothing can stop the spirit that is working upon the hearts of those who are inclined to work for the Lord.
Another church has had a remarkable experience. The membership is made up entirely of sisters. They have sold their quota, which was sixty-eight. Three sisters canvassed one day, and sold thirty-six books. They enjoyed the work, and are still canvassing, and probably will succeed in helping some of our dear brethren in other churches who have not the courage of these sisters.
