THE COMING CANVASSER by E. A. Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1902

THE COMING CANVASSER.

By E. A. Sutherland

FOR years we have known that the printed pages containing the Third Angel's Message should be scattered as freely as the leaves of autumn. Considerable work in canvassing was done a few years ago by those who were looking for the soon coming of the Lord. But difficulties have arisen. The idea is prevalent that the time for canvassing is past. There is a lack of courage and trust in God's promises.

We repeat the experience of the ten spies, who said that Israel could not take the land of Canaan. Because of unbelief the whole camp of Israel was turned back into the wilderness, and there those who started the exodus died. The children, whom they feared would be destroyed by the enemy, were the ones who in the end did the work that the fathers deemed impossible. We have for years been wandering in the same state of doubt and unbelief. When God has told us to arouse and do, we, too, have said that it was impossible. We are, however, again nearing Kadesh-barnea. The Lord has the second time told us to go up and possess the land.

To-day the children are catching the spirit which the fathers should have possessed years ago. The church schools are training them to do active missionary work. God said that if we would start these schools, the children would become missionaries and that through them a great work would be done. Our hearts rejoice as we hear of the canvassing done by little children.

Elder Thompson wrote as follows concerning the work done by one small church school in the State of New York: “One of our sisters has been teaching a church school in her home the past winter. The school was located on a farm a few miles from the city, and about a mile from any village. There was an attendance of from seven to ten pupils. Recently these students have been canvassing in this country place, and the following is the order of books which has just been received at our office:—

“‘Best Stories,’ cloth, 15 copies; board, 10 copies; paper, 18 copies; German, 2 copies; ‘Ladies’ Guide,’ 4 copies; ‘Coming King,’ gilt, 10 copies; plain, 22 copies. The value of these would aggregate $65.25.”

A young lady teaching her first school writes: “We have been taking a club of twenty-five Signs of the Times, and with the proceeds have papered and reseated our schoolroom. After paying our tithe, we have $1.25 with which to buy curtains.”

“We are in a place where we can do some missionary work,” writes another teacher. “To-day the girls of the school went about four miles and a half to sew for the poor. We have missionary meetings every two weeks, and have money enough to take a club of ten Signs.”

One of the Conference papers thus describes the aggressive work of a church-school teacher: “She recently ordered a quantity of tracts on Christ's second coming, and started her pupils out to sell them. Their sales amounted to over a dollar and a half in three afternoons. There will be no trouble to find canvassers and workers for God when the children are properly educated from infancy.”

“My children had the pleasure of sending one dollar to the Southern missionary work. This was the proceeds from the comforter which they pieced last winter.”

The educational secretary in one of the States in the Lake Union Conference writes: “One teacher has just learned by experience that his youngest pupils can sell the educational journal. The little people are becoming enthusiastic. Another teacher writes that his school has sold thirty dollars’ worth of books and periodicals in less than four months, besides placing the REVIEW in every family in the church.”

Another school gave Christmas offerings amounting to fifty-four dollars, the money having been earned by taking orders for the Missionary Magazine.

Any number of similar experiences might be given. We are living in the time when God's Spirit is being poured upon the children and youth. But that Spirit is offered just as freely to those of mature years. I want to keep pace with the message. You have the same desire, I am sure.

An evangelistic canvassers’ school will be held at Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich. Those who know that God has been calling them to do this work, and who are ready now to do it, but who desire a brief training, should correspond at once with Emmanuel Missionary College.

E. A. SUTHERLAND.