p. 8 | How to Begin and Follow up the Work by W. H. Granger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

How to Begin and Follow up the Work

By W. H. Granger

Methods for Working Our Large Cities—No. 3

How to Begin and Follow up the Work

W. H. GRANGER

In my judgment, the duty of paying for literature used in an effort of this kind belongs to the church; for it often happens that those capable of doing the greatest amount of work are financially unable to purchase as much literature as they would gladly circulate; while very frequently persons who are financially able to pay for literature are either not qualified or perhaps not in a position to do much work. It is a burden which belongs to all alike, and what is lacking in one can frequently be supplied by another, where all co-operate in the work. Where the church pays for the literature, however, all donations received from the readers should be turned over to the church home missionary fund, as not infrequently sufficient can be obtained in contributions from interested readers to pay for the lessons distributed, besides what may be secured through book sales.

We now come to the question of how to begin work with the lessons. The place to begin is in your immediate neighborhood. Take No. 1 of the course, and as you call at the homes of the people, tell them of the Bible study that is being taken up in the city, and after mentioning some of the interesting features of the course, and your relation to the effort to assist the people along these lines, give them the first lesson, and invite them to become regular readers, promising to bring them an advanced lesson each week until the entire course of twenty-eight lessons has been read. This can be repeated with each family, care being taken that none are missed, until the desired number of readers is obtained.

The pleasantness of this experience will be a surprise to those who engage in this work for the first time. Many are hungering for an opportunity to learn more about the Bible. On making your return visits, call as nearly as possible at the same hour each week, and your readers will soon learn to look for your coming, and will manifest a greater interest in the lessons. Punctuality and

faithfulness on your part will stimulate the interest of your readers. Make it clear to them that the lessons are left only on condition that at least one member of the family shall read them. Always urge the one you meet at the door to call the attention of each member of the family to the lessons.

When you lose a reader in the early part of the course, at once take up a new family in his place. Be particular always to inquire how each reader has enjoyed the previous lessons, and if he has any doubts or questions, do your best to help him over the difficulty. This will require careful study of the subjects treated in the lessons by those who engage in this work. In case you do not succeed in making a point clear to one who desires to learn, place in his hands literature in which the question is more extensively treated.

It will also be noticed that on the last page of all the lessons where space permits, the publishers have advertised many of our most valuable books that treat these subjects more extensively. Excellent results can be obtained from these advertisements, by calling the attention of those who are interested to these books, and by speaking a good word for them; at the same time volunteer to secure any book for them which they may desire at the price listed.

As the work proceeds, give special attention to those who become interested; invite them to your place of worship; or if you are capable of giving a Bible reading, call on them some afternoon or evening, and in an informal way review some of the subjects already gone over. Under all circumstances, however, be careful not to weary the people by long talks or arguments on subjects in which they are not interested, and never impose upon them by needlessly consuming their time at the door when they are busy.

When the course is complete, always canvass every reader for his subscription for some of our good papers. This is a very important feature of the work, and should never be neglected; for while a strong impression may have been made on their minds by reading the lessons, yet the majority of people will neither obey nor give you a chance to do personal work with them. Whereas, if you can succeed in securing their subscription for one of our good weeklies, the good work will be continued in a most effective way. At any rate, always make it a point to revisit your readers occasionally with some special literature. Never be discouraged, but sow the seed, for you do not know when nor by what means it may be caused to germinate and bring forth fruit. Although some may turn you away because of prejudice, it will pay you to revisit them after a few months; for sometimes they afterward change their minds and would gladly welcome you.

An incident of this kind was brought to my attention only a few days ago. It was the case of a lady living in Cincinnati. When I first started the house-to-house work in that city with the Bible Teacher, one of my helpers in taking out his class of readers called on this lady, who at once became very deeply interested in the plan of work, and then and there handed the brother a dollar to help along the cause. As the course proceeded, she became very much wrought up over the testing truths, and refused to receive or read any more lessons. She of course was accordingly dropped. After nearly three years had elapsed, however, another one of our brethren had occasion to call on this lady on business. She at once made inquiry about the gentleman who had brought her those lessons, and assured our brother that she had become convinced that we had the truth. Before he left, she gave him fifty dollars to be used in helping forward the work. We should never be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

In the next article I will give detailed information for the establishing of efforts in our large cities by our workers, such as I am conducting in this city under the name of the Berean Bible Institute.

Columbus, Ohio.