Evangelistic Canvassers

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1902

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 7.

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Evangelistic Canvassers.

Jesus Christ loves the canvassing work. It is written that when He was here, He “went about doing good.” It is stated that “there is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing;” “a great and good work may be done by evangelistic canvassers.” There are many other statements as strong as these. Every one who has Christ abiding in his heart believes them.
“Canvassers are to be educated and trained to do the work required in selling the books upon present truth which the people need. There is need of men of deep Christian experience, men of well-balanced minds, strong, well-educated men, to engage in this work. Christ in me has the same mind as Christ in heaven, and when Christ in heaven sends the above message, what can I do but say, Lord, give me this education, for I desire not only to love the canvassing work, but the preparation for it?
“A great and important work is before us. The enemy of souls realizes this, and he is using every means in his power to lead the canvasser to take up some other line of work. This order of things should be changed. God wants the canvassers to be at their work. He wants volunteers who will put all their energies and enlightenment into the work of helping wherever there is opportunity. . . . Who will respond to the call? . . . Who will sacrifice ease and pleasure, and enter the places of error, superstition, and darkness, to work earnestly and perseveringly, speaking the truth in simplicity, praying in faith, doing house-to-house labor? Who at this time will go forth without the camp, imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit, bearing reproach for Christ’s sake, opening the Scriptures to the people, and calling them to repentance?”
“God has His workmen in every age. The call of the hour is answered by the coming of the man. Thus, when the divine voice cries, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ the response will come, ‘Here am I; send me.’ Let all who labor effectually in the canvassing field feel in their hearts that they are doing the work of the Lord in ministering to souls who know not the truth for this time.”
The Lord is coming soon. The work is closing rapidly. Those who know Christ will be in sympathy with Christ, and will do His will on this earth. Every Christian should canvass; he cannot please God unless he does. He should carry to his neighbors and friends the printed page of truth.
There are many who should devote their entire time to this grand work. God is calling them to receive a training for it. Emmanuel Missionary College will give a course of instruction for all such, beginning February 18. Tuition will be free. Living expenses are light. The teachers in this department are men who have had rich experience in the canvassing field. For further information, address Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich.