United Effort in Canvassing
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The gospel of health has able advocates, but their work has been
made very hard because so many ministers, presidents of conferences,
and others in positions of influence have failed to give the question of
health reform its proper attention. They have not recognized it in its
relation to the work of the message as the right arm of the body. While
very little respect has been shown to this department by many of the
people, and by some of the ministers, the Lord has shown His regard
for it by giving it abundant prosperity. When properly conducted, the
health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to
reach the heart. When the third angel’s message is received in its
fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the
conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and
in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and
protect the body.
But while the health work has its place in the promulgation of
the third angel’s message, its advocates must not in any way strive to
make it take the place of the message. The health books should occupy
their proper position, but the circulation of these books is only one
of many lines in the great work to be done. The glowing impressions
sometimes given to the canvasser in regard to the health books must
not result in excluding from the field other important books that should
come before the people. Those who have charge of the canvassing
work should be men who can discern the relation of each part of the
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work to the great whole. Let them give due attention to the circulation
of the health books, but not make this line so prominent as to draw
men away from other lines of vital interest, thus excluding the books
that bear the special message of truth to the world.
Just as much education is necessary for the handling of the religious
books as for the handling of those treating upon the question of health
and temperance. Just as much should be said in regard to the work
of canvassing for books containing spiritual food, just as much effort
should be made to encourage and educate workers to circulate the
books containing the third angel’s message, as is said and done to
develop workers for the health books.
The one class of books will always make a place for the other.
Both are essential, and both should occupy the field at the same time.
Each is the complement of the other and can in nowise take its place.
Both treat on subjects of highest value, and both must act their part in