p. 19 | The Canvassing Work in Our Schools by J. B. Blosser

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 5, 1906

The Canvassing Work in Our Schools

By J. B. Blosser

THERE is no more important question before this denomination than the training of our young people for service in giving the third angel’s message. So far as the number of schools to do this is concerned, we have in America a goodly number; but the main question with many of these young people is, How can I secure the means to enable me to attend these schools? During the past few months plans have been adopted in most of the conferences in the Lake Union Conference whereby many of these students can solve this question for themselves, and at the same time be spreading the truth, and getting a valuable experience, which in itself is called “higher education.”

In brief, the plan is to sell one hundred and fifty dollars’ worth of our subscription books, turning the whole amount into the tract society treasury; the tract society to arrange for the scholarship. The student is also expected to work two hours a day during the school year. The schools in the Lake Union which have made arrangements of this kind are Emmanuel Missionary College, Adelphian Academy, Cedar Lake Academy, and Beechwood Academy. Doubtless others will do so soon.

Several from the Cedar Lake school are doing well. Some have already sold the required amount; but these will continue during the rest of the vacation at the regular agents’ rates. Encouraging word comes from those who are working for a scholarship in Adelphian Academy. Recently I helped to train seventeen at the Beechwood Academy, and others in Indiana will take hold of the plan. Professor Machlan of the Beechwood school is an old canvasser who has had a good experience in the work, and he is not afraid to recommend it to the students. We shall expect to see these young people come back to school next fall with an experience that will enable them to do better work in the school than they would if some one should pay their way for them.

The interest is still good in this work in the Mount Vernon College. A larger number than usual have gone out into the work with courage, believing that God is able to help them make a success of it. Some of these have been out during previous vacations, and know by experience that something can be done.

Two of the young men who went out from Emmanuel Missionary College have worked three weeks, and report as follows: One, 115 hours, with $99.40 worth of orders; the other, 106 hours, with $143.50 worth of orders.

Many of these young people have a burden for the regions beyond, and when their school work is over, they will be ready for service in opening up new fields. The experience they have had while in school selling the truth-laden literature will fit them much better for those fields, where the work will have to be opened largely by the printed page. They will be like the company who joined themselves to David, “to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord;” “such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank; they were not of double heart.” 1 Chron. 12: 23, 33.

J. B. BLOSSER.