A LETTER by W. C. Sisley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 52.

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A LETTER

By W. C. Sisley

Showing What a Busy Man Can Do

BATTLE CREEK, MICH., Nov. 11, 1900.

Elder R. M. Kilgore,

18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.

DEAR BROTHER: You know that at the last council meeting, I expressed myself as being deeply interested in the plan of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” for the relief of the schools. Well, as the days go by, my interest deepens, and I can see greater possibilities in the plan than ever before. I am perfectly satisfied that we can sell three hundred thousand books in an incredibly short time if we all take hold in earnest. If you will pardon me, I will give you a little of my experience.

At the Conference, as you will remember, I urged all the brethren in responsible positions, leaders, to take hold of the work in earnest themselves, and thus set an example for the ministry, and the rank and file will follow. About that time I was elected president (librarian) of the Battle Creek missionary society, which has over two thousand members. I began at once to plan how we could handle our share of this great work. It took but few figures to show that our quota would be about twelve thousand copies. The magnitude of the undertaking fairly staggered me, and I began to study the reasons why we should be excused from taking so large a number. Such a busy people, such a poor people, no territory to work in, etc., came up as excuses; but I was not satisfied; I could not escape the conclusion that we must do our part, but how to do it was the question.

I began to cast about in my mind to find those who could devote a large amount of time to the work, but could think of but few; nearly all were too busy or too indifferent. In spite of my best endeavors to the contrary, I began to feel that it was no use trying. We could never do it. In this state of mind, I began to seek the Lord, and think upon His promises. My hope began to revive. Something seemed to say to me, “You sell some, and you will see how the work can be done. You set the example, and others will follow.” I had never sold books, and you know, Brother Kilgore, that I am very busy, hardly having a moment I can call my own. I tried to excuse myself, suggesting many plans for others, thus helping them work, but not engaging in the work myself. I wriggled and twisted every way, but could not get away from the conclusion that I must sell some of these books myself. I promised the Lord that I would do it if He would open the way and furnish the opportunity. This He soon did, and I sold the first book by telephone.

I was talking business with a gentleman in another city, and while waiting for information, sold him a book. He was so interested in our plan of paying our debts that he offered, of his own accord, to help us sell the books. This encouraged me very much.

I wish I could give you all my experience in selling the books. Perhaps I can sometime. I can only take time now to tell you that the Lord has opened the way and helped me to sell seventy-five books in a little over two weeks. During this time I have worked just the same in the Office, losing no time whatever. I do not think it has taken me on an average more than two minutes to sell a book. I have sold to every one I have asked to buy. All these books have been sold to those not of our faith. Quite a number have paid two dollars each for the book; some one dollar and a half, and none less than one dollar and a quarter. One gentleman bought four for Christmas presents; one, three; another, two.

While selling these books, I have improved many opportunities to speak of the goodness and love of the blessed Saviour. I have been greatly blessed. It has been a precious experience to me. I am full of courage, and can now see how our church can swell its quota. The Lord has helped me to sell books, and He will help all who will try in His strength.

I can not tell you how anxious I am for every one of our leaders and ministers to go to work at once and sell some of these books, so that they may tell the brethren how to do it.

Dear brother, if you have not already sold a lot of these books, will you not do it at once? Then, when you come in contact with the people, whether in private or public, you can encourage them to go and do likewise. It will not do for our ministers to buy a few of these books, and then give them away. We must sell them, and by so doing get our friends to help us. Our people everywhere should sell these books. They are well worth the price asked for them. There is no Seventh-day Adventist who has not at least six personal friends who would buy one book each to help along a good cause.

These books can be sold by mail; for I have tried it, and sold several in that way. Will you not sell some in that way?

I would like to write much more, but must forbear for fear I shall weary you. May the Lord greatly bless you and all who take hold of this good work, and hasten the day when the last of the three hundred thousand books are sold, the debts paid, and we all, by the effort put forth, are brought into perfect union and prepared for the great closing work of the Third Angel’s Message.

Your brother in Christ,

[Signed]

W. C. SISLEY.