Resident Canvassing by J. M. Johanson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 8, 1903

Resident Canvassing

By J. M. Johanson

ONE of our New Zealand workers writes: “The Lord has helped me wonderfully, and is still helping. I had a good time with some to whom I had sold a copy of ‘Heralds of the Morning’ eighteen months ago. They did not know me at first, so I canvassed for ‘Man the Masterpiece.’ However, they thought the ‘Home Hand Book’ would suit them best, but seemed to doubt as to whether it would be wise to give the order without seeing the book, so I said, ‘I think Mrs. — and I have done business before.’ Then she recognized me, and that sealed the order for the ‘Home Hand Book’ at once. We had a real good time after that. They told me they read most of ‘Heralds of the Morning,’ then loaned it to a Wesleyan who read it three or four times; and somebody else had read it, and they all liked it very much. They seemed like old friends. We had a season of prayer, and God’s Holy Spirit was certainly there; and on parting we had a hearty shake of the hands. Praise the Lord, I see the value of the canvassing.”

The preceding is but one experience among many that might be cited to show the advantage of our agents’ re-canvassing their territory. The old idea, that when an agent had canvassed a district and delivered the books, his only hope of continued success was to seek new territory, was long ago proved to be one of the devil’s devices for hindering our work; and every one of our agents who has had an experience in re-canvassing knows that the best results, spiritually and financially, are attained by re-canvassing his territory, following rapidly with one book after another.

Resident canvassing presents many advantages. - The worker becomes acquainted with the people, gains their confidence, has opportunities for removing prejudice, and many who at his first call gave him no encouragement, will become good customers and warm supporters of his work.

This is not theory, but actual experience The main reason why some people have become prejudiced against our work is because they know so little of it; but there is no phase of our work that affords such excellent opportunities for forming a large circle of acquaintances or for getting in close touch with individuals and families as the canvassing work, and it is safe to say that more people will be reached with the truth, and more souls saved in the kingdom of God, through the influence of our literature than by any other means; and for this reason we are told that “if there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the people.”

Our literature is exerting a far greater influence in the field than most of our workers realize, and it has been a great loss to the people around us, as well as to the cause, that the efforts of our canvassers have not been followed more closely; but this may be remedied most effectually by experienced and permanent workers settling in a given district, canvassing for one book after another till all our large publications have been through the territory.

This method of working presents special advantages to the worker. It means less traveling expenses, less discomfort, as he will have more time at his own home than is ordinarily the case with those who put in faithful time in the field. There is also a precious experience in laboring for individual souls and in seeing results that those who are continually on the move can know but little of, and a living realization of the promise, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing the seed basket, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

J. M. JOHANSON.