THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN.
By M. Bessie Degraw
Students and teachers in Emmanuel Missionary College were thrilled with a desire to enter the campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” If others were ready to answer, “Here am I,” when the Spirit of God was searching out workers, why should not we come forward for our orders? The school was divided into fifteen companies, some member of the faculty taking charge of each division. These companies numbered from five to nine individuals. Wednesday, February 5, was the day selected to begin the canvass. Wednesday morning found the companies in readiness, but it was bitterly cold, and the snow was drifting so that the trains could not run. A few students walked into the country, sold their books, and returned the same day. The majority, however, were obliged to wait until the next day. Thursday brought another snowstorm, and an irregular train service, so several companies drove to their territory. It was a busy day. Over a hundred were visiting from house to house in Buchanan, Niles, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Dowagiac, and the smaller towns in the vicinity of Berrien Springs. The whole territory was quite well covered. Many returned Thursday evening with glowing reports, but it was not until Sabbath evening that the students met to relate their experiences. If you doubt the value of such experiences, you should have heard the testimonies. As I listened, I thought of the men who accompanied Saul when he was first made king of Israel; it was “a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.” Elder Brunson had charge of the meeting, and as he had just returned from his first canvassing tour, he spoke with authority. As he himself said, “We believe, therefore we speak.” He read that familiar text, Rom. 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” and added, “If we believe that verse, then we must say, Good-by, discouragement. No matter what occurs, our Father has measured the portion, and it is for our good. I look upon the canvassing work in a different light than I did three days ago. I consider it the grandest work we can do. Selling books is but a small part of the work. The real thing is to represent Christ. You have heard of the cobbler who said his work was to tell people of Jesus, and he cobbled shoes to keep up expenses. The canvasser should represent Christ, and sell books to make expenses. The canvasser can reach many homes and touch many hearts from which a minister is debarred. You ask how many books I sold?—Not one. But I shall go again, and I shall sell, or not sell, as God sees best. What I needed was to see the value of the canvassing work.” This was one experience to which all listened with interest: for it was the heart experience of one whom God has chosen for the ministry, one who has said, “I will go where you want me to go.” It meant much to us. Professor Sutherland spoke briefly of his experience in meeting the people, but felt most deeply impressed by the fact that one hundred and twenty-five people had been so united in doing a work which to the natural man is often distasteful, and that it had been done with hearty good will, on two of the most stormy days of the season. The harmony was akin to that of the disciples as they gathered in the upper chamber, and was due to the Spirit of God. When a school as a school can rise en masse to do this work, it is a sign that great things are ahead of us. It is one of the signs of the times. I wish I could give all the rich experiences. The following are statements which were repeated in substance by many students:— “I propose to keep at this work. I shall visit my territory again.” “I canvassed twenty people before I took an order, but I needed the lesson. I did not think I could feel reconciled to canvass, but I do. I love it, and am ready to go again.”125 “I never had such courage. I went out with a determination to preach the gospel, and I look for souls to be saved as the result of this day’s work.” “The first night our company of boys met for prayer. We are all ready to go again.” “A Sunday-school teacher said the book was just what she wanted for her class. A returned missionary stated that she had many commentaries on the Bible, but ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ was so well adapted to young people that she wanted it.” “I had an opportunity to hold a Bible study with a discouraged woman, and it cheered her.” “I was greatly blessed,” said one of the ministers, “and I believe every one should be a missionary canvasser.” “I had said I could not canvass, but God says ‘Canvass,’ and I will. I am thankful for the experience. It was just what I needed.” The actual number of books purchased by leaders and their companies was four hundred and forty-nine. Not all of these have yet been placed in the hands of the people, but they have been paid for, and each leader will see that the books are disposed of in the next few weeks. This report is for students only. A good many more books have been disposed of by persons in the church. The campaign has begun. Fifteen thousand persons canvassing in four States will arouse the people. It cannot be otherwise. It is the greatest movement ever begun by our people. Who can falter to-day? M. BESSIE DEGRAW.