Canvassing Work in North Carolina by J. W. Siler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 30, 1913

Canvassing Work in North Carolina

By J. W. Siler

THIS state has an extreme length of 503 miles, with a breadth in the widest part of 187 miles. It has a population of 2,206,287,—a thriving, enterprising people. Altogether, this is a State of great opportunities. We are sure that the field is ripe and ready for the missionary colporteur to enter and gather a rich harvest, as our record the past few years will prove.

The Lord has signally blessed our efforts in both subscriptions and deliveries. In 1911 we delivered $13,016.18 worth of literature. It gives us cheer, for this is truly a grand, good work and a good showing for the few faithful colporteurs who labored so earnestly in this branch of God's cause. One colporteur took $281 worth of orders in one week, and delivered most of them; and another, in one week of forty-nine hours, delivered $370.75 worth of books. This is perhaps the largest record in the United States. It is a demonstrated fact that books do sell here in the South; not only can orders be taken, but good deliveries can be made. Consecration to God, with a willingness to obey the command, “Son, go work to-day in my vineyard,” is all that is needed, and success is certain. We have four colporteurs who have earned their way to the General Conference, one of them being the State agent.

I have told you how God has blessed our efforts in the past, and how we have

demonstrated what can be done; I now want to state something of the extent of our work and the need of help to fill the many openings that we have here. This State has one hundred counties, and of the one hundred there are twenty-six that have never as yet been entered with our literature. Only thirty have been worked thoroughly with one or two books. In forty-four counties a little has been done, but some of this work was done as far back as 1893, which leaves them practically virgin soil.

Now, in consideration of all this and of the instruction God has given through the Testimonies that the work would close in the South first, I make an appeal to you to come over and help us warn the many souls that know nothing of present truth or of the perils of these last days. Certain destruction is coming upon the inhabitants of this world, and unless we do our best, their blood will be upon us. “I can not understand why our people have so little burden to take up the work that the Lord has for years been keeping before me, the work of giving the message of present truth in the Southern States. Few have felt that upon them rests the responsibility of taking hold of this work. Our people have failed to enter new territory and to work the cities in the South. Over and over again the Lord has presented the needs of this field, without any special results.” —“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, page 34.

My brother, my sister, consider these statements carefully, and pray earnestly to know if you are the one whom the Lord points out; and if you are, do not delay the work any longer by neglecting your duty to give the third angel's message in this needy field. If you feel impressed to come South and help in this worthy and great work, I should be pleased to have you write to me.

J. W. SILER.

Glenwood, N. C.