Needs of the Canvassing Work
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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.
True as Needle to Pole
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
[58]
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.
Enemies Will Respect
I have described what canvassers ought to be; and may the Lord
open their minds to comprehend this subject in its length and breadth,
and may they realize their duty to represent the character of Christ by
their patience, courage, and steadfast integrity. Let them remember
that they can deny Him by a loose, lax, undecided character. Young
men, if you take these principles with you into the canvassing field
you will be respected; and many will believe the truth you advocate,
because you live your faith, because your daily life is as a bright light
set upon a candlestick, which giveth light to all that are in the house.
Even your enemies, as much as they war against your doctrines, will
respect you; and when you have gained this much, your simple words