TO MISSIONARY CANVASSERS.
By John B. Greenwood
It has seemed to the writer that the value of the Signs of the Times as an adjunct to the book-canvassing work has never been appreciated, except by the very few who have tried it. Some of our canvassers have a horror of anything in the way of “helps,” but this is because they do not appreciate the worth of “helps,” when properly used,—when used so as to be really helpful,—helpful not only to the canvasser, but to the cause he is laboring to advance. The Signs was established to do a specific work. There is urgent need in the world to-day of a publication calling attention to the signs of our times, proclaiming their true meaning in the light of God’s prophetic word; and now there is everywhere a demand for literature helpful to an understanding of the great problems which confront the world, and which all recognize as portending some crisis in earth’s history. The circulation of the Signs of the Times is a direct and powerful work for the advancement of God’s truth for these times. The canvasser, going from house to house and talking with the people concerning the great truths of God’s word, will have many opportunities to introduce the Signs incidentally, without detriment to his book work. For instance, we have met many persons who, although deeply interested in the subject of present truth, could not be induced to subscribe for a book; and often the introduction of the Signs resulted in securing a subscription for that paper. Then, too, when stopping overnight in the country, the conversation naturally turns to the topics of the day and the truths brought to view in the publications that the worker is selling. By showing the Signs, and explaining the nature and scope of the periodical, many families will be found who would welcome its weekly visits. Very probably a three- or six-months’ subscription would be gladly accepted in exchange for lodging or a meal. If the canvasser, looking back over his territory, can see homes here and there into which he has been instrumental in placing this “pioneer” missionary, he can rest assured that the influence of those labors will not cease immediately, nor will the books sold be placed carefully on the shelf, or lie untouched on the parlor center table. The Signs, presenting present truth in ever new and varying forms, and from different writers and standpoints, coming weekly into the homes of the people, will awaken in its readers a desire to study the Word, and to read carefully the books they have purchased; and so, by the blessing of God, the work of the canvasser will be “bound off,” and will yield a harvest of souls. To show that this can be done, I will quote from a letter just received from a canvasser in Illinois:— “I, with some other canvassers, was taking orders for ‘Desire of Ages’ and other books; and we concluded to take orders for the Signs of the Times also; so please accept the following yearly subscriptions.” The letter inclosed eight subscriptions. This was the first order from these canvassers; and, as you will gather from reading the letter, they were led out to engage in this work on their own responsibility. Or, rather, shall we not say that the Lord influenced their minds to take up the work, in order that souls in that field might receive the truth? We think so. Other canvassers in different parts of the field, unsolicited by us, have been led to take up this work; and, believing it is in the order of the Lord, we make an appeal to all our canvassers to be on the lookout to secure new readers for the Signs. The special prices made to workers, also makes the paper a real “help” financially to those in the field. Write to the Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal., for particulars. JOHN B. GREENWOOD.