Chapter 8—Needs of the Canvassing Work
Thorough Preparation
Very much more efficient work can be done in the canvassing field
than has yet been done. The canvasser should not rest satisfied unless
he is constantly improving. He should make thorough preparation, but
should not be content with a set form of words; he should give the
Lord a chance to work with his efforts and impress his mind. The love
of Jesus abiding in his heart will enable him to devise means to gain
access to individuals and families.
Canvassers need self-culture and polished manners, not the affected
and artificial manners of the world, but the agreeable manners that are
the natural result of kindness of heart and a desire to copy the example
of Christ. They should cultivate thoughtful, care-taking habits,—habits
of industry and discretion,—and should seek to honor God by making
of themselves all that it is possible for them to become. Jesus made
an infinite sacrifice to place them in right relations to God and to their
fellow men, and divine aid combined with human effort will enable
them to reach a high standard of excellence. The canvasser should be
chaste like Joseph, meek like Moses, and temperate like Daniel; then
a power will attend him wherever he goes.
Not to Practice Deception
If the canvasser pursues a wrong course, if he utters falsehood or
practices deception, he loses his own self-respect. He may not be
conscious that God sees him and is acquainted with every business
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transaction, that holy angels are weighing his motives and listening
to his words, and that his reward will be according to his works; but
if it were possible to conceal his wrongdoing from human and divine
inspection, the fact that he himself knows it, is degrading to his mind
and character. One act does not determine the character, but it breaks
down the barrier, and the next temptation is more readily entertained,
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