EXPERIENCE WITH “CHRIST’S OBJECT LESSONS” IN ILLINOIS
By C. Thompson
The valuable matter “Christ’s Object Lessons” contains, and the worthy cause to which its proceeds are dedicated, awakened in me a desire to canvass for it. At a general meeting of the workers of the Illinois Conference, held in Peoria the latter part of January, the vote that all the laborers spend a part of their time before General Conference in introducing the book to the public, only increased this desire. This work was a new experience to me, as I had never tried to sell a book, and had never attended a canvassers’ institute. I felt that in order to stand clear in the judgment, I must put forth an effort. I then resolved that at a certain time I would go; but when the time came, I excused myself, and set another time. I continued to do this until I saw that I should never accomplish the work in this way. I put the book in my pocket, so no one could see it, and started out as a canvasser. I carried it in my pocket half a day, waiting for an opportunity to canvass some one; and learning that if I sold a book, I should have to approach the subject, I went first to the principal of the public school, and told him my business and the object of the book. Failing to secure his order, I went to one of the primary teachers, who gave me her order. This gave me strength and confidence. I next went to the president and the clerk of the board of education, and each of them gave an order for the book. By this time my fear and trembling had nearly subsided. So I went to business men, church leaders, lodge leaders, farmers, and all. And to my surprise,13I sold a book to every business man in town except one. I have sold forty-two books. I was transacting some business by mail with a friend who lives in Cincinnati, and in one of my letters I told him of our educational work and of the book and its object. He said he was interested in such work, and for me to send him the book, which I gladly did. Just before coming to the General Conference, by request I held four meetings in the United Brethren church of Morocco, Ind., which were largely attended. Here I found a large public school, and before I left, I had an interview with the principal. I told him in regard to our faith and work, and sold him a book. Thus I have tried to sow beside all waters, and I found a blessing and an experience in this work that I never had before, and I am sure more books could be sold if we would all make a greater effort. How true is the adage, There is no excellence without labor. Having never attended a canvassers’ institute, I had to manufacture my address myself, so I adopted the plan of interesting myself in whatever the person I canvassed was interested in. When I canvassed a teacher, a director, a superintendent, I dwelt upon the principles and benefits of education. To the ministers and church people I talked religion, and the benefit the book would be to them in the study of the object lessons of our Saviour. To lodge leaders I presented it from the standpoint of their obligation to aid and advance worthy objects of morality. To those not of the classes mentioned, I usually dwelt upon their obligations to their families to provide good literature as food for their minds. And thus, in adapting myself to their interests, the Lord blessed my efforts. I always made it a point silently to ask my Heavenly Father’s blessing upon the book when sold, as well as to thank Him for the $1.25. To His name be praise. C. THOMPSON.