Training Agents to Sell Health Books
By E. R. P.
A short time ago we sent a circular letter to our Union Conference general agents with regard to the training of agents to sell our health books. A few suggestions on this subject will be found elsewhere in this number of the SUPPLEMENT. I will quote for the encouragement of others, two or three extracts from letters received in response to this circular:— From E. E. Miles: “Yours of the 24th is here. Is it necessary to take a course in theology before attempting to teach a canvass for religious books? Then is it necessary to be a nurse or a physician before working with health literature?” From S. C. Osborne: “In regard to working for the health books, will say that I do not see the necessity of having a special man come around and instruct in reference to those books. I have always attended to it where I have been; am doing so at the present time. “In the institute which we are now holding in San Francisco we have a class of seven in “Home Hand-Book,” and we expect to drill them, and prepare them for the work. In fact, I hardly think it is best to have another man take up that line of work, because it seems to bring in a division.” From G. Phillips: “I have read your letter in regard to the training of canvassers for the health-book work, and believe your plan will succeed. It will have a tendency to unify the work. We had thought differently, but after considering your suggestions we are satisfied that they will work successfully. We are holding an institute here now, and have one ‘Home Hand-Book’ canvasser, and he is getting along better than any one else in the class. I wished for a man to take that line of instruction at the beginning of our institute, but had none, so I just rolled up my sleeves, and went at it myself, and God is blessing the work. I do believe that we need men that will just take right hold and work, and not be weak and spiritless and nerveless. We need a good, strong backbone and a strong determination. I am heartily in sympathy with your plan, and will co-operate with you in every possible way. The prospects are real good in our conference. We are going at it expecting to win.” E. R. P.