Selling Christ’s Object Lessons
Those outside of our denomination are entering upon the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” with enthusiasm. No one can read it without wishing that all his friends, and all his enemies, and everybody in the world might have a copy, and learn to practice its wonderful truths. One sister, who is seventy-three years old, said, “I stayed at home, and sold nine books.” Another one, who was certain she could not sell a book, after considering the matter and praying over it, started out, and in just a few days sold seventeen books. A brother bought eight books, and started out to give them away; but at his first attempt, he was offered the regular price for the book, and thus encouraged, he went ahead and sold them all, and then came back for six more. I have just delivered thirty-three copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The people seemed glad to get them. One man who has read the book says, “It is worth its weight in silver.” I am convinced that now is the time to push this work. . . . Times are good, and the people are willing to buy our literature. But who knows how soon hard times will return, or how soon, as in Canada, the people everywhere may be warned against our books? Let every one awake to his responsibility just now. Each individual who does his part will surely be richly repaid; but unless we move as a united people, a great blessing will be withheld, and the loyal may be held in bondage by the unfaithful. Jer. 43:5-7. A man to whom one of our sisters sold a copy of “His Glorious Appearing,” became so interested that when I canvassed him for “Christ’s Object Lessons” he took it, saying, “Adventists have the best books in the world.” Papers, pamphlets, and tracts may be sold or given away while working for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The Lord has given me a new plan by which to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons” to school-teachers. I go to the schoolhouse just before intermission. When the teacher asks me to make some remarks, I accept the invitation, and give a talk on education. I tell them that true education will make them better men and women, and that it is in harmony with God and His word. I then tell them that I have a book, which I am selling to advance educational work, and which I wish to show them during intermission. Of course, I do not expect to sell to the children, as they must first consult their parents, but I turn my whole attention to the teacher, yet do it over the children’s shoulders. Out of the three schools that I have visited, I have not missed a sale for “Christ’s Object Lessons;” but that is not all. The children get acquainted with me, and tell their parents about me, thereby advertising me and my work. I expect to visit every school in this way; and if the plan succeeds, we shall have at least one book in every school district. Pray that the Lord may direct me in devising plans by which to sell the books. The pastor of the Congregational church in Atlantic, Iowa, expresses his appreciation of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the following words: “‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ by Mrs. Ellen G. White, is a well-written and beautifully printed book. It can not fail to instruct all who read it thoughtfully. It has in it the germs of a thousand sermons, and helps the reader to catch the points of application to his own life. In a busy, much-reading age such books are of great value. This book is a good one with which to begin a new century. It should be widely read.” We are told that the people and institutions of the Lord are being tested not only on selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” but to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice. Then the blessed thought is that if we do this, He will show us what to do next. What a privilege it will be to have a part in the song of jubilee, which is soon to be sung. Before I got to work for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” I learned that Satan would try one plan after another to hinder and keep us from working for the relief of the schools. First, I purchased some books for another brother to sell, and thought that by so doing my responsibility would cease; but the burden did not leave me. Finally, I set a day to begin canvassing. When I arose in the morning, the snow was falling, and Satan immediately suggested that I had better not begin that day, for I would have to remove my overshoes at every door. But I got ready and went, working two hours, and taking three orders. The second day I took six orders in one and one-half hours. All the people I met were pleasant, and I paid no attention to the snow.