p. 156 | Why Canvass? by E. A. Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 11, 1902

Why Canvass?

By E. A. Sutherland

Have you wondered why the Lord has sent us word that every Seventh-day Adventist should canvass? I have, very often; for canvassing was naturally very distasteful to me, and it was only when I accepted the promise by faith, that I found courage to undertake the work. Having once entered the field as a canvasser for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” I found coming into my life such a warmth of Christian experience that I began a search for the philosophy underlying this method of disseminating truth: for God makes no arbitrary commands.

I have watched two glowing coals on the hearth, lying near each other, yet not in contact. Gradually the ashes gathered, the glow faded, the coals died. I have put a single stick of wood upon the grate, expecting to see the fire burn, and have seen it smolder and die; but if two sticks are laid together, the fire kindles and burns, even though there are but few coals with which to start it.

Furthermore, I have seen Christians in whose hearts had been kindled the fire of truth. They lived year after year in the same community, but no other lights were kindled. Indeed, the first light has in many cases grown dim, although there was fuel in abundance.

The electric wires in our incandescent globes remain dark and lifeless until the current is turned on,—until a connection is made,—then those same little wires glow with a white heat.

Speaking of the last days, the Lord, through the prophet Zechariah, says: “In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left.”

Imagine the blaze of light which will go up from all the earth when the “governors of Judah”—those who know the truth—are like torches brought in contact with sheaves of grain! Evidently the time has come for this enlightening. It has been preached for years, and Isa. 60:1 has been quoted times without number. “Sermons have been in great demand in our churches. The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed upon them [like the lonely coal] have dwindled into feebleness. . . . A revival and a reformation must take place. . . . Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life. . . . Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.”—Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902.

We fell into debt, contrary to the Lord’s wishes, it is true. Nevertheless, since we are in debt, God will use even the debts to arouse His people from lethargy, and will, through the effort to lift those debts, awaken a sleeping world, and proclaim to it the everlasting gospel.

More than that, He will do this through a most humble and despised means. That is also a divine method of work. As “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise,” so He is to-day using a means, despised by His people, to bring that same people into greater truth, and through them to proclaim the last message.

It is a glorious truth. The money which will come into our hands for the erection of buildings or for relief from debt, as a result of the canvassing campaign , is the smallest part of the blessing. There are eternal principles underlying the command to go forward, and as the walls of Jericho are approached, I want a place in the advancing army.

I have watched the reports sent in by hundreds who are now canvassing. It is wonderful to note: (1) the personal help received in every instance by the canvasser; (2) the hearty response from people who for years have been waiting for this personal contact with men and women who know God’s voice; (3) the death blow which canvassing strikes to narrow prejudice, which often exists.

It is God’s work! Do not, oh, do not, check the work! Say, “Lord, I am ready, use me.”

E. A. SUTHERLAND.