Chapter 2—Qualifications of the Canvasser
Since canvassing for our literature is a missionary work, it should
be conducted from a missionary standpoint. Those selected as can-
vassers should be men and women who feel the burden of service,
whose object is not to get gain, but to give light to the people. All our
service is to be done to the glory of God, to give the light of truth to
those who are in darkness. Selfish principles, love of gain, dignity, or
position, should not be once named among us.
Canvassers need to be daily converted to God, that their words and
deeds may be a savor of life unto life, that they may exert a saving
influence. The reason why so many have failed in the canvassing work
is that they were not genuine Christians; they did not know the spirit
of conversion. They had a theory as to how the work should be done,
but they did not feel their dependence upon God.
Canvassers, remember that in the books you handle you are pre-
senting, not the cup containing the wine of Babylon,—doctrines of
error dealt to the kings of the earth,—but the cup full of the precious-
ness of the truth of redemption. Will you yourselves drink of it? Your
minds can be brought into captivity to the will of Christ, and He can
put upon you His own superscription. By beholding, you will become
changed from glory to glory, from character to character. God wants
you to come to the front, speaking the words He will give you. He
wants you to show that you place a high estimate upon humanity,
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humanity that has been purchased by the precious blood of the Saviour.
When you fall upon the rock, and are broken, you will experience the
power of Christ, and others will recognize the power of the truth upon
your hearts.
To those who are attending school that they may learn how to do
the work of God more perfectly, I would say: Remember that it is only
by a daily consecration to God that you can become soul-winners.
There have been those who were unable to go to school, because
they were too poor to pay their way. But when they became sons
and daughters of God, they took hold of the work where they were,
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