How to Tell “Christ’s Object Lessons”
By William Covert
SOME of our brethren and sisters are having remarkable success in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” while others are not so successful. The difference is not all explained by the differences in the fields where the books are sold. Much of this variation in success comes from the manner in which the work is done. One person returned a few books to the office a little while ago, stating that there was so much prejudice in his neighborhood that it was impossible to dispose of “Christ’s Object Lessons” there. Prejudice is pre-judging, that is, persons judge a matter before they understand it. Now if there is prejudice in regard to “Christ’s Object Lessons,” it is because persons are judging the merits of the book before they understand what it is. If there is danger of a customer doing this, the canvasser should, if possible, prevent him from passing judgment upon the book until he has been informed in regard to it. I presume, however, that the prejudice referred to is not toward the book at all, but that it is a prejudice on the part of the person toward our people. But even this ill feeling may be overcome by the canvasser, providing he understands the work that he should do. On page 57 of “Christ’s Object Lessons” will be found a beautiful thought in regard to the work of sowing seed. The canvasser is really a seed sower, and his first work is to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the good seed. His business is not to sermonize, but to reach the hearts of the people as he labors. Wherever he goes, he should have in his own soul a burden for the salvation of the people. In Christlike simplicity he is to come close to every individual he meets. An interest should be awakened in the things of eternal life. Argument is usually powerless to reach a heart that is hardened, and logic will not make it tender; but the truth of Christ from a soul filled with love for perishing men and women will touch and tender many a hard heart. This kind of labor will have its reward. If the canvasser goes out in the spirit and power of Jesus, God will remove this bitter feeling that is in the hearts of the people against the truth, and will cause many of them to want to know how they can be saved, and there is no book that we could present to them that is more hopeful in this respect than is that excellent volume, “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Let the canvasser taste of the joy which the Lord gives to the soul winner, and he will go forth sowing precious seed; and though while making these canvasses, he may be moved to weeping, yet he will return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. The plowshare of truth, when guided by such a plowman, will break up the fallow ground of many hearts, and cause the truth to spring forth and bear fruit for the garner of the Lord.