The Work Begun in Earnest.
By S. H. Lane
We are glad to report to the readers of the REVIEW that the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” has begun again in earnest. In several Conferences the ministers are giving their time to selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and we trust that our brethren and sisters throughout all the churches are again at work. If not, will you not begin the work now? Between now and the holidays many will buy books for Christmas presents, and those who are working to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons” will be blessed in the work. A sister over eighty years of age, in writing of her experience in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” says: “You would be surprised to know what good success I have had in canvassing. While it is always a cross to enter a strange house, I have felt I was doing the Lord’s work, and have had some rich experiences. I am in excellent health. The outdoor exercise keeps me well.” One of our ministers, a president of a Conference, pledged himself to sell one hundred books. When he first started out, for a day or two he had but little or no success; but feeling that he was doing the Master’s service, he continued with renewed zeal, and in two days made a good beginning in disposing of his books, and resolved never to stop until his one hundred were sold. Reader, have you begun yet? If you are so situated that you cannot possibly get into the work, would it not be well to give some one moderate wages to sell the books for you, or allow him forty or fifty cents on each book he sells, paying this from your own purse? Some would be glad to do the work, and perhaps you would be glad to pay them the commission, and thus both would have a part in the good work. Remember that every copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” sold places one dollar or more in the hands of the educational institution in your district, to pay the debts of that institution. If you are in the Eastern Union Conference, every book sold aids South Lancaster Academy in paying its debt. If you are in Ohio, you are aiding Mt. Vernon Academy. If you live in the Lake Union Conference, every book sold aids in diminishing the debt of the Battle Creek College. If you are living in the Northwestern Union Conference, you are aiding Union College; if on the Pacific Coast, you are aiding Healdsburg and Walla Walla colleges. If you are in the Southwestern Union Conference, you are aiding Keene Academy; and if in the South, you are aiding the schools there. Shall we not make a mighty effort this fall to put thousands of dollars into the various school treasuries to aid in the good work? I know our brethren everywhere will say, “Indeed, we will take hold.” We shall be glad to hear from those who are canvassing for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” as we are especially interested in the experiences of the workers, and shall be glad to have them write out their experiences for the church paper, the REVIEW; and thus we can hold a social meeting together every week. The writer would suggest that those who are canvassing for “Christ’s Object Lessons” carry some children’s books with them; as they can be sold readily, the holidays being near, in connection with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and may be placed in some families where the latter cannot be sold; but do not let these helps hinder the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Hold that before the people as the principal book, and dispose of the others only in case you cannot sell the former; and it may be that you can sell one of these smaller books as well as a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We would recommend such books as “Easy Steps,” “Best Stories,” “Gospel Primer,” “Steps to Christ,” etc. Fifty per cent is allowed on these books, and they may aid the canvasser in keeping in the field in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Let us make a long, steady pull in this work; for success will certainly attend it. It has in the past, and will in the future.