A CALL TO CANVASSERS by E. A. Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1900

A CALL TO CANVASSERS.

By E. A. Sutherland

If large inducements for money-making could be made, there would be no difficulty in securing canvassers. A few years ago when times were good and books sold readily, many were in the canvassing field. But the Lord finds it necessary at times to test the workers to see if they are working for him or for the money, by removing some temporal blessing. So, when the test came, and times grew hard, a large number left the canvassing work. Those who are in the work for the material blessing will not long remain after the test is applied. Hard times sift out the selfish, indolent, and non-progressive workers, leaving their places to be filled with consecrated men of brains.

There is a keen pleasure in building up a work that has been neglected because it is hard. God now offers to young people an opportunity to test their mettle by following him into fields of arduous work, which are also rich with spiritual blessing.

In 1893 the Lord sent us word that if the proper effort had been made, by means of canvassing, to place “Great Controversy” before the people, the end would have come before this.

“The canvassing work should never languish. Wherever the canvassing work is presented among our people, let both the health books and the religious books be presented together as parts of the united work. The relation of the religious and the health books is presented to me as illustrated by the union of the warp and the woof to form a beautiful pattern and a perfect piece of work.

“In the past, by many, the health books have not been handled with proper interest. It has been regarded as essential that they should go to the world. But what can be better preparation for the coming of the Lord, and for the reception of other truths essential to prepare a people for his coming, than to arouse the people to see the evils of this age, and to stir them to reformation from self-indulgence and unhealthful living? Is not the world in need of being aroused on the subject of health reform? Are not the people in need of the truths presented in the health books? By our canvassers in the field should be entertained a sentiment regarding the health works altogether different from that which has heretofore prevailed.

“Just as much education is necessary for the successful handling of the religious books as for the handling of those treating upon questions of health and temperance. Just as much should be said regarding the work of canvassing for books containing spiritual food, just as much effort should be put forth to encourage and educate workers to circulate books containing the Third Angel’s Message, as is said and done to develop workers for the health books.

“Let each publisher and general agent work as enthusiastically as he can to encourage the agents now in the work, and to hunt up and train new workers. Let each build up and strengthen the work as much as he can without weakening the work of others. Let all be done in brotherly love and without selfishness.”

During the spring term, beginning March 14, Battle Creek College will give special attention to the training of canvassers to handle both our religious and our medical books. Brother E. P. Boggs and Dr. Proum will look after the instruction, the former spending all his time in the school.

Probably there are among us young persons who would be glad to prepare for this work if they could secure the necessary money. If you are one of these, write to us, sending recommendations assuring us that you are a suitable person to engage in God’s work, and we will endeavor to help you in securing money for your expenses.

The time until the opening of the spring term is short. Write at once if you desire to come. E. A. SUTHERLAND.