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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
and discriminating minds, and who feel the value of souls, are the ones
who can be successful.
The work of the colporteur is elevated and will prove a success,
if he is honest, earnest, and patient, steadily pursuing the work he
has undertaken. His heart must be in the work. He must rise early
and work industriously, putting to proper use the faculties God has
given him. Difficulties must be met. If confronted with unceasing
perseverance, they will be overcome. Much is gained by courtesy. The
worker may continually be forming a symmetrical character. Great
characters are formed by little acts and efforts.
There is danger of not giving sufficient encouragement to our
ministers. I was shown some men whom God was calling to the work
of the ministry, entering the field as canvassers. This is an excellent
preparation if their object is to disseminate light, to bring the truth
revealed in God’s word, directly to the home circle. In conversation
the way will frequently be opened to speak of the religion of the Bible.
If the work is taken hold of as it should be, families will be visited, the
workers will carry with them tender hearts and love for souls, and will
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bear, in words and deportment, the fragrance of the grace of Christ, and
great good will be the result. This would be an excellent experience
for any who have the ministry in view.
But many are attracted into the canvassing field to sell books and
pictures that do not express our faith and do not give light to the
purchaser. They are induced to do this because the financial prospects
are more flattering than can be offered them as licentiates. These
persons are obtaining no special fitness for the gospel ministry. They
are not gaining that experience which would fit them for the work.
They are losing time and opportunities by this kind of labor. They
are not learning to bear the burden of souls and daily obtaining a
knowledge of the most successful way of winning people to the truth.
These men are frequently turned aside from the convictions of the
Spirit of God and receive a worldly stamp of character, forgetting how
much they owe to the Lord, who gave His life for them. They use
their powers for their own selfish interests and refuse to labor in the
vineyard of the Lord.
I was alarmed as I saw the various nets of Satan woven about
men whom God would use, diverting them from the work of the
ministry. There will surely be a dearth of laborers unless there is more