Chapter 15—Our Books to Be Sold and Read
Hundreds of Men Needed
Other publishers have regular systems of introducing into the mar-
ket books of no vital interest. “The children of this world are in their
generation wiser than the children of light.”
Luke 16:8
. Golden oppor-
tunities occur almost daily where the silent messengers of truth might
be introduced into families and to individuals; but no advantage is
taken of these opportunities by the indolent, thoughtless ones. Living
preachers are few. There is only one where there should be a hundred.
Many are making a great mistake in not putting their talents to use in
seeking to save the souls of their fellow men. Hundreds of men should
be engaged in carrying the light all through our cities, villages, and
towns. The public mind must be agitated. God says: Let light be sent
out into all parts of the field. He designs that men shall be channels of
light, bearing it to those who are in darkness.
Not from the Floating Element
Missionaries are wanted everywhere. In all parts of the field can-
vassers should be selected, not from the floating element in society,
not from among men and women who are good for nothing else and
have made a success of nothing, but from among those who have good
address, tact, keen foresight, and ability. Such are needed to make
a success as colporteurs, canvassers, and agents. Men suited to this
work undertake it, but some injudicious minister will flatter them that
[80]
their gift should be employed in the desk instead of simply in the work
of the colporteur. Thus this work is belittled. They are influenced to
get a license to preach; and the very ones who might have been trained
to make good missionaries to visit families at their homes and talk
and pray with them are caught up to make poor ministers; and the
field where so much labor is needed, and where so much good might
be accomplished for the cause, is neglected. The efficient colporteur,
70