p. 7 | GREATER NEW YORK by George A. King

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

GREATER NEW YORK.

By George A. King

In large cities the canvassers will always need all the help that can be given them in getting acquainted with the people, and the Signs of the Times is the best and cheapest medium we have for this purpose. Even in suburban places and in small cities the Signs, when judiciously used, will be found to be a great help, especially at the present time. The use of the Signs and Good Health does not burn over the territory, but the free use of these publications will make many substantial and valued friends, who will open channels through which the worker may reap a harvest in the sale of our publications.

The method of using the Signs is very simple. Take a good supply, folded once, in a nice satchel. (As you canvass from house to house, you will find many who will invite you in, and listen to your book canvass at once. You will also find many who are too busy to see you; many more, who, after you have canvassed them, must see their husbands before they can make any purchase. Many more want time to think over what they will do about it, there being so many opportunities to spend money; and still many more, who are ready to close their door against agents and peddlers.) Leave a copy of the Signs and your book circular with them with the understanding that you will call again when they have more time. This they like, as it is a ‘true, manly way of doing your work. It also affords an opportunity to meet with hundreds of people with whom you would not get acquainted without the use of these papers. The majority of the people will like the Signs or Good Health.

When the way is open to display the book, make the most of the opportunity. The “Desire of Ages,” for a large religious book, works the smoothest, taking it all around, with all classes, and lays the best foundation for future effort with other books; besides, it is very appropriate just now, while many are asking, “Who is Jesus Christ, anyway?” Display

at once the great themes of this book. Reveal the life of Christ in prophetic history as the prophets looked through the ages four thousand years to His coming; His life as a youth for fifteen years; His life as a carpenter for fifteen years more; His life for the sins of the world; and His life in glory as pointed out in the transfiguration and in the last chapter of the book, the most exemplary life that ever existed on the face of the earth, in all phases of which was illustrated the principles of the golden rule and an untiring effort to establish them in the lives and hearts of men. A thorough knowledge of the book, skillfully used, will completely disarm all prejudice against your work, for the spirit of the Lord working through the truth will win the favor of the person canvassed.

When the way is clear to reveal just what books are being sold, and it is wished to give the party a broader view of what the work is, and to open the way for the sale of other books, display “Patriarchs and Prophets.” It shows the providence of God in creation, the flood, and the exodus, showing the doctrine of evolution to be a great error. Display “Daniel and the Revelation” as showing how the prophecies have been fulfilled in the last three thousand years, and how they are being fulfilled all around us at the present time, thus showing that the Bible is God’s Word, and contains light for all ages. Everywhere we hear that Christianity has always been a failure, but the Christianity of Christ is always a success. Everywhere we meet the idea that evolution, and not the account of creation as given in the Bible, is true. On every side we meet the question, “Who knows that the Bible is the Word of God?” The question, “Who is Christ?” is all along the line. These four great books stand as four great forts against the errors of the age, and in behalf of the old family Bible and the Christian’s hope; and they meet the immediate needs of the time in which we live. A proper display of this set of books gives a better idea of the work, and establishes an influence with the people.

It is a tiresome and discouraging job to go from house to house and do nothing, but there is something inspiring in the work, when in every call one has the satisfaction of doing something either in the act of distribution of literature or the sale of books. In the above method of using the Signs and Good Health, the results are not at all discouraging.

Last year, while training in the use of periodicals for the introduction of books, nearly two hundred annual subscriptions were taken. Altogether the sale of literature amounted to about one thousand dollars. We also gave Bible readings to those who desired them.

As the result of this work, about twelve have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and many others are interested. The interest awakened is being followed up by two of our Bible workers. Hence, the plan is a success from a harvest of sales to a harvest of souls.

GEO. A. KING.