A Band of Men Whose Hearts God Had Touched
By E. A. Sutherland
WHEN Saul was first promoted to be king over Israel, the counselors of the king and his associates in the work of Jehovah are described as “a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.” Whenever God has a work to do which requires the assistance of men, he touches their hearts with the live coal of his Spirit; and all who have the privilege of becoming co-laborers with him in the great plan of salvation, have an experience which words cannot describe. It is due to the “touch.” In the campaign for the sale of sixty thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, a band of workers has been raised up whose experience can be compared to that of Saul’s associates. The following reports, which have been handed in by various churches, will testify to the fact that this work is a test, and that those who grapple with the difficulties which at first appear, do develop strength of character. These reports are selected from a large number; and while the names of individuals are withheld, should any faint-hearted individual desire to correspond with some one who has had success, we will gladly enable him to do so. From Indiana come such reports as these:— “One brother eighty years old has taken nine books. A sister who thought she could not do much has sold seven. A blind sister and one other have together sold seven or eight.” “I drove out into the country ten miles, visited a family, and left sixteen books with a brother, who sold two before I left.” “We have sold fifteen copies, and will try to sell many more.” A sister writes: “My health has been very poor this winter, but I have paid for twelve copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and will try to do more.” “By the grace of God we expect to fill out the quota for our church members. We cannot afford to lose the blessing and be dropped out.” “Our church is small, but we have taken forty books, and they are all sold.” “I have received twenty books, and have sold fifteen.” “One man said that he would not take three dollars for his copy of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ if he could not get another.” “In one half day we sold fifteen books. My wife felt timid, but she took six orders. Yesterday two members sold eight.” “Thirty-three copies have been sold. It has helped us to see what we can do in the strength of the Lord.” “This work puts new life into the people.” Wisconsin sends equally cheering messages from the field of campaign: “Every one in the church is determined to sell at least double his quota. The most encouraging feature is that two little girls, aged five and nine, are canvassing, and both are determined to ‘sell my share.’ They have sold four.” “One brother sold four books one afternoon and three the next day. One sister sold five Danish books.” “One man said that he would take four, and pay for them. He has since sold twenty-four, and this forenoon came after ten more.” One church writes: “Sixty books were sold here some time ago, but we believe we can sell our quota in the same territory.” “One old lady has sold eleven books. Some have sold their entire quota without a single refusal.” “One sister was so impressed that she could hardly wait until the sun went down to go out and canvass. She sold three books. That evening another sister made four calls the first hour, and sold three books. I made three calls during that time, and sold two books.” “My wife and I have sold seventeen copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and have five on hand, which we expect to dispose of soon.”