Chapter 14—The Colporteur Evangelist and Finance
Prompt Payment for Books—The work is halting because gospel
principles are not obeyed by those who claim to be following Christ.
The loose way in which some canvassers, both old and young, have
performed their work shows that they have important lessons to learn.
Much haphazard work has been presented before me. Some have
trained themselves in deficient habits, and this deficiency has been
brought into the work of God. The tract and missionary societies
[Book and Bible Houses] have been deeply involved in debt through
the failure of canvassers to meet their indebtedness. Canvassers have
felt that they were ill-treated if required to pay promptly for the books
received from the publishing houses. Yet to require prompt remittal is
the only way to carry on business.
Absolute Honesty—Matters should be so arranged that canvassers
shall have enough to live on without overdrawing. This door of temp-
tation must be closed and barred. However honest a canvasser may
be, circumstances will arise in his work which will be to him a sore
temptation.
Laziness and indolence are not the fruit borne upon the Christian
tree. No soul can practice prevarication or dishonesty in handling the
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Lord’s goods and stand guiltless before God. All who do this are in
action denying Christ. While they profess to keep and teach God’s
law, they fail to maintain its principles.
No Reckless Spending—The Lord’s goods should be handled with
faithfulness. The Lord has entrusted men with life and health and
reasoning powers. He has given them physical and mental strength
to be exercised; and should not these gifts be faithfully and diligently
employed to His name’s glory? Have our brethren considered that
they must give an account for all the talents placed in their possession?
Have they traded wisely with their Lord’s goods, or have they spent
His substance recklessly, and are they written in heaven as unfaithful
servants? Many are spending their Lord’s money in riotous enjoyment,
so called; they are not gaining an experience of self-denial, but spend-
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