Selling Books in War Times by Walter Harper

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1914

Selling Books in War Times

By Walter Harper

I CAN only give thanks to the Master for enabling me to close up a long canvass a few weeks ago by delivering fully one thousand dollars' worth of orders for books, helps, etc. In addition to these there were 112 orders for "Ministry of Healing," relief edition, for Loma Linda (Cal.) College of Medical Evangelists, or over $165 worth.

Early in August I boarded the steamer "Ravalli" for Humboldt County, California, to spend some time at the hospitable home of Brother and Sister C. E. Spear, resting (and working, too, on their ranch) to recuperate depleted energies. But it was not long until, almost unawares, I found myself in the harness again, busy at the canvassing work.

Recently on a trip to Brother Fred Ramsland's fruit ranch we stopped a few moments in front of a farmhouse. I climbed down off our load of lumber, went to a house near by, and in almost no time the Master gave favor. I secured two orders from one man, amounting to $6.50. These were for "Practical Guide to Health" and "Daniel and the Revelation," which are my two leading books. This seemed a "providence," a "pointer," or a "straw," to tell the way the wind was blowing. Books will sell even in war times, when men's hearts are failing because of those things that are coming on the earth. Do not believe the enemy of souls and of our canvassing work when he says we can do nothing now. It is not true.

In one week more I had dropped the work of harvesting choice peaches, prunes, etc., and was at work selling our good, truth-laden books. The first man I canvassed very readily gave an order for "Practical Guide to Health" in full leather, $5.50. In three hours I took $14.50 worth of orders. On September 13, near and at Dyerville, Cal., the Lord did certainly bless and favor in giving me orders amounting to $48.85, mostly for our large books. It now looks as if my orders for this week will total from $135 to $140, for books, helps, etc.

It is close to that now. I pray that a host may be won for Christ's kingdom as a result of it all. Pray it be even so, dear brethren and sisters in the broad field. In it all I can only say: "What hath God wrought!" "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

WALTER HARPER.