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object high and elevating; and there should be a corresponding dignity
of deportment. The canvasser will meet men of varied minds. He will
meet those who are ignorant and debased and can appreciate nothing
that does not bring them money. These will be abusive, but he should
not heed them. His good nature should never fail; he should take a
cheerful, hopeful view of every perplexity. He will meet those who
are bereaved, disheartened, and sore and wounded in spirit. He will
have many opportunities of speaking to these kind words and words of
courage, hope, and faith. He may be a wellspring to refresh others if he
will; but, in order to do this, he must himself draw from the Fountain
of living truth.
The canvassing work is more important than many have regarded
it, and as much care and wisdom must be used in selecting the workers
as in selecting men for the ministry. Young men can be trained to
do much better work than has been done and on much less pay than
many have received. Lift up the standard, and let the self-denying and
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the self-sacrificing, the lovers of God and of humanity, join the army
of workers. Let them come, not expecting ease, but to be brave and
of good courage under rebuffs and hardships. Let those come who
can give a good report of our publications because they themselves
appreciate their value.
May the Lord help everyone to improve to the utmost the talents
committed to his trust. Those who work in this cause do not study their
Bibles as they should. If they did, its practical teachings would have a
positive bearing upon their lives. Whatever your work may be, dear
brethren and sisters, do it as for the Master, and do your best. Do not
overlook present golden opportunities and let your life prove a failure
while you sit idly dreaming of ease and success in a work for which
God has never fitted you. Do the work that is nearest you. Do it, even
though it may be amid perils and hardships in the missionary field; but
do not, I beg of you, complain of hardships and self-sacrifices. Look
at the Waldenses. See what plans they devised that the light of the
gospel might shine into benighted minds. We should not labor with
the expectation of receiving our reward in this life, but with our eyes
fixed steadfastly upon the prize at the end of the race. Men and women
are wanted now who are as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men
and women who will work without having their way smoothed and
every obstacle removed.