Canvassing in Honduras by A. N. ALLEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1906

Canvassing in Honduras

By A. N. ALLEN

A. N. ALLEN

The gift of the evangelist colporteur is no less a gift of God than that of the minister. He has a definite work of searching out and reaching by personal and literary means those not accessible to the living preacher, as he meets, in rapid succession, many people, varying in mental capacity, in education, and in hereditary tendencies, each one with his individual process by which a conclusion is reached. And no less varied and numerous are the standards by which the canvasser, his book, tone of voice, manners, and every act are judged. And the conclusion is always for or against.

Some are quick of perception and comprehension, and can appreciate an intelligent “canvass,” or description of a book, and the subjects treated, while others are slower to receive and comprehend, and thoughts must be presented more slowly, and often repeated in different words.

While the canvasser is undergoing inspection and judgment, he must also be alert to judge and suit his words to the one whose confidence he would win. In no other line of work is there more need of the heart, head, and hand being fully under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit.

There are various gifts to the church, “differing according to the grace that is given to us,” but the canvasser must be so filled with “grace and truth” that he can minister to both bodily and spiritual infirmities, teach the ignorant, exhort the discouraged. Also “the canvasser should carry with him tracts, pamphlets, and small books, to give to those who can not buy. In this way the truth can be introduced into many homes.”

As a member of the body of Christ, and branch of the True Vine, he must “abide in the Vine,” and draw life and nourishment from the same. He that doeth this “bringeth forth much fruit.” “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

The canvasser often breaks the ground, and sows the seed, the result of which is seen in after-years in strong, tithe-paying churches. His work is well expressed in these words: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12.

The canvasser co-operates with the author, publisher, and minister, yet he has a definite work. “The canvassing work properly conducted is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; but many who are hungering for the bread of life have not the privilege of hearing the word from God’s delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that our publications be widely circulated.” “Thus the message will go where the living preacher can not go.”

“That which is done in warning the world must be done without delay. Let not the canvassing work be left to languish. Let the books containing the light on present truth be placed before as many as possible.” “The presidents of our conferences, and others in responsible positions, have a duty to do in this matter, that the different branches of our work may receive equal attention.”

“A great and important work is before us. The enemy of souls realizes this, and he is using everything in his power to lead the canvassers to take up some other line of work. This order of things should be changed. God calls the canvassers back to their work. He calls for volunteers who will put all their energies and enlightenment into the work, helping wherever there is opportunity.”

We have no time to lose. We must encourage this work. Who will go forth now with our publications? The Lord imparts a fitness for the work to every man or woman who will co-operate with divine power. All the requisite talent, courage, perseverance, faith, and tact will come as they put the armor on. A great work is to be done in our world, and human agencies will surely respond to the demand. The world must hear the warning message for this time.

When the call comes, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” send back the answer, clear and distinct, “Here am I; send me.”

Besides being “missionary work of the highest order, and as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the most important truths for this time,” it is also the most economical method. From the author to the agent, it is self-sustaining. “Self-supporting missionaries are often very successful. Beginning in a small, humble way, their work enlarges as they move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. They may not receive any particular encouragement from those at the head of the work that they will be given financial support; nevertheless, let them go forward, praying, singing, teaching, and living the truth. They may take up the work of canvassing, and in this way introduce the truth into many families.” “God calls for workers to enter the whitening harvest-fields. Shall we wait

because the treasury is exhausted, because there is scarcely sufficient to sustain the workers now in the field? Go forth in faith, and God will be with you.” The promise is, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

The work of the colporteur during the Dark Ages, when to be found with only a small portion of the Scriptures, much more to sell them, was a crime punishable with death; and the part they acted in the great Reformation; and their pioneer work in opening Japan, China, and India to the gospel of peace, would, if written, form a volume of noble lives, not surpassed by any other department of gospel laborers.

In this country, where the only means of travel is a boat, or a mule, if one desires to go inland, one learns to appreciate the bearing of modern transportation on the progress of the gospel. Waiting, perhaps for weeks, for a passage on a boat, and not having animals, the colporteur can do only a small part of the work he otherwise could. We can not take orders and deliver here as in the States. We carry Bibles, books, pamphlets, tracts, and papers, and then besides these things one must carry hammock and blanket for bed, and one or two changes of clothes. For this reason, we can not walk, even if there were not plenty of rivers, creeks, and mud to encounter.

I am planning to spend most of next year in the interior of Honduras, among the mountain villages, and a few cities, such as Olanchito, Juticalpa, Comiagua, and Tegucigalpa, the capital. Brother Moncada is printing, at his own expense, a series of articles, which I believe will be the best yet written to meet the prejudice of the Spanish mind. These will be issued in pamphlet form, and we will arrange to put one wherever a Bible is sold. This will prepare the way for other books and literature. The American Bible Society has promised to send a man with me to sell Bibles, and by traveling together, expenses will be lighter for us both. Thus we hope to do more for the inhabitants of Honduras than has ever been done before.

We have raised among friends and brethren nearly half enough to purchase the animals necessary for this work, but we still lack seventy dollars. The possession of these animals would greatly increase our efficiency, and without them we shall be sadly handicapped the coming year. Is there not some one who would like to lay up treasure in heaven by relieving this need? Or perhaps some fellow canvasser would feel it a pleasure to help us who have to furnish our own means of transportation. Are there not those who came to a knowledge of this precious truth by the hand of the canvasser, who would like to help us carry it to the remote parts of the earth? If there are those who would like to aid, donations may be sent to I. H. Evans, treasurer of the Mission Board.