Needs of the Canvassing Work
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to work for less wages to circulate books treating on present truth.
Therefore the inducements have been increased to correspond with
those offered by other publishers, and as a consequence the expense
of getting our publications before the people is large; many of the
canvassers obtain their money easily and spend it freely.
Need of Energy and Enthusiasm
Among the people professing present truth there is not a missionary
spirit corresponding with our faith. The ring of the true gold in char-
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
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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.
Cultivate Active Virtues
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.
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