p. 20 | Experiences in Great Britain

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

Experiences in Great Britain

"He Shall Direct Thy Paths"

I AM glad to be able to write a few words of praise to the Lord for the good summer's experience that he gave me last year. From the very start, I could see that he was working for me and directing my path.

The territory had been worked some years before with the same book, "Bible Readings," but the Lord in his providence hid this from me, and I thank him for it; for had I known to what extent it had been worked, I should have been much discouraged. My field of labor was a long peninsula, and had I started at the north instead of the south, I should have found "Bible Readings" in nearly every house.

I had been in Campbeltown, Argyllshire, only a week when the Lord directed me to a member of the Free Church who used to distribute tracts, and who was well known in the place. He was a consecrated, God-fearing man, and immediately took a great interest in my work. He suggested that on one or two evenings he should take me to call on some of his acquaintances who he knew would be interested and could afford to buy books. I went with him on several occasions, and was thus enabled to get into the homes of the wealthy class and obtain a favorable hearing, and in the majority of cases orders were obtained. So greatly did the Lord bless me that in twelve days I had earned my scholarship, netting me in delivery over £55.

I had barely obtained my orders before the Millennial Dawnists arrived in the town, and canvassed it; so that when I began to deliver, many were suspicious; but every truth-filled book was delivered, and opportunity was presented to warn the people of the other book they had just purchased.

I rejoice that the Lord was able to use me to place the truth in so many homes, and may the seed sown bring forth an abundant harvest.

SPENCER MAXWELL.

Canvassing and Soul Winning

I had been told not to canvass in a certain district, as the people there were not at all religious. But with faith in God and his work, I decided to go right ahead and leave results with him. My faith was rewarded with thirty-two orders for "Bible Readings" the first day, and enough orders for a scholarship in a week.

Not far from this district a schoolteacher who came from Iceland is keeping the Sabbath as a result of studying the "Bible Readings" that I sold her. For twelve years she had prayed for the truth of God; now her prayer is answered, and she is to attend our college. Her sister is also about to walk with God's people.

As a result of house-to-house canvassing in London, another young woman is keeping the Sabbath. I have been calling on her at regular intervals in the course of my canvassing during each school year.

These souls are tokens of the promise, "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."

LIONEL W. BARRAS.

A Bright Testimony

It is now over four years since I entered the book work. Just prior to my taking up this work a copy of "Great Controversy" was sold by a canvasser to my brother's wife. This I read eagerly, and in three weeks was keeping the Sabbath. Six weeks later I sold my first book, and have sold many since. From the very beginning, the Lord has prospered me.

One woman in whose house I lodged, accepted the truth through Bible studies given her in the evening after my day's canvassing was finished. Since then her husband has been keeping the Sabbath in the British navy with but little opposition.

The Lord enabled me to gain four scholarships during the summer and autumn of 1912.

One woman in Scotland gave me permission to canvass every person on her estate, placed five dollars in my hand, and wished me Godspeed in my work. I was sorry, however, that she would not take a book for herself.

On another occasion I called on a woman of wealth and position who owned a large estate. She was confined to her room at the time through illness. However, I asked the servant to take my prospectus to her mistress's room, which she did, and returned with an order for a copy, and the lady's permission to canvass every one on the estate. As a result, I secured about twenty orders for my book, half in the morocco, and most of the others in the sheepskin binding. I praise God for the privilege of being a gospel canvasser.

A. E. HULBERT.

A Canvasser's Blessings and Opportunities

As a canvasser in the British field, it is a great pleasure to me to testify that the hand of the Lord is in our work here. The last two summer vacations I have enjoyed a good experience in Scotland. On the first occasion, although I was quite new to the work, the Lord blessed me with over £60 worth of orders during the three months; whereas on the latter occasion my orders for a shorter period exceeded £100. Thus the message has been carried into remote parts of Scotland, books being gladly received at many isolated homesteads where the people love the Lord and are far distant from, as well as dissatisfied with, their churches.

I could not wish to canvass among a better class of people than I met

during the last vacation. The district worked was the western Highlands of Argyllshire, and the book was "Bible Readings." The people there are descended mostly from the old Covenanters who were driven to this extremity of Scotland by their persecutors over two hundred years ago. They are, especially in the country districts, a strong, noble, and refined class of people, and still remain very antagonistic to popery. One is somewhat surprised to find the owner or holder of a farm of several hundred acres, roughly clad, down on his knees weeding turnips, with his men and women servants around him assisting in the same work.

Often a friendly smile awaits you, and upon making known your business, a sympathetic interest is shown in your book. After being satisfied that the book is worthy of his possession, he very rarely hesitates in giving his order.

My first week's orders reached the sum of £18 on territory that had been worked with the same book about eight years before, and with good success.

Day by day I felt God's guidance, and that he was opening the hearts of the people. I was solemnly impressed that perhaps it would be the only chance for these dear people, isolated as they are in the Highlands, to receive God's last message, for the books were placed among them so plentifully.

One of my best experiences happened in a small village in northern Kintyre. I had canvassed the district thoroughly, and was waiting for the arrival of my books from the tract society. I had planned for them to reach me early in the week, that I might leave the district on Friday for another center. The books, however, did not arrive until Thursday, and I felt disappointed that my plans could not be carried out; but I soon learned that the Lord had another plan for me. The delay caused me to remain in the village until the next week.

On Sunday morning one of the villagers with whom I had become acquainted, asked me if I would take the evening meeting to be held in the school, — they were without a church, — as the minister had been called away suddenly, and they were without a shepherd.

Now I saw the reason that my books had been delayed, and I felt quite clear as to my duty. I willingly complied with the request, and as, fortunately, I had attended meetings in the Scottish churches previously, I was familiar with their form of service.

After seeking guidance from the Lord, I decided to speak on the signs of the times. During the meeting the Lord came very near. My brother canvasser and I both felt assured that the Lord had planned for that meeting, and had carried it through with his own power.

Next day I learned that the people were much interested in what they had heard, and expressed their regret that I was to leave the district and would probably have no further opportunity to tell them more of the present truth. However, books on the message were scattered throughout the neighborhood, and I am hoping for a bountiful harvest.

What unexpected joys the canvasser will have when the mists have rolled away, and he sees as the results of his labors many souls brought into the kingdom.

F. C. BAILEY.