Importance of the Canvassing Work
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acter is wanting. Christian life is more than they take it to be. It does
not consist in mere gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness.
These graces are essential; but there is need of courage, force, energy,
and perseverance also. Many who engage in the work of canvassing
are weak, nerveless, spiritless, easily discouraged. They lack push.
They have not those positive traits of character that give men power
to do something,—the spirit and energy that kindle enthusiasm. The
canvasser is engaged in an honorable business, and he should not act
as though he were ashamed of it. If he would have success attend his
efforts he must be courageous and hopeful.
The active virtues must be cultivated as well as the passive. The
Christian, while he is ever ready to give the soft answer that turneth
away wrath, must possess the courage of a hero to resist evil. With the
charity that endureth all things, he must have the force of character
which will make his influence a positive power for good. Faith must
be wrought into his character. His principles must be firm; he must
be noble-spirited, above all suspicion of meanness. The canvasser
must not be self-inflated. As he associates with men he must not make
him self conspicuous, talking of himself in a boastful way; for by this
course he would disgust intelligent, sensible people. He must not be
selfish in his habits nor overbearing and domineering in his manners.
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Very many have settled it in their minds that they cannot find time to
read one in ten thousand of the books that are published and put upon
the market. And in many cases when the canvasser makes known his
business, the door of the heart closes firmly; hence the great need of
doing his work with tact and in a humble, prayerful spirit. He should
be familiar with the word of God and have words at his command
to unfold the precious truth and to show the great value of the pure
reading matter he carries.
Well may everyone feel an individual responsibility in this work.
Well may he consider how he may best arrest the attention, for his
manner of presenting the truth may decide the destiny of a soul. If
he makes a favorable impression, his influence may be to that soul a
savor of life unto life; and that one person, enlightened in regard to
the truth, may enlighten many others. Therefore it is dangerous to do
careless work in dealing with minds.
The canvassing work is God’s means of reaching many that would
not otherwise be impressed with the truth. The work is a good one, the