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Manual for Canvassers
The gospel of health has able advocates; but their work has been
made very hard because so many ministers, presidents of conferences,
and others in positions of influence, have failed to give the question of
health reform its proper attention. They have not recognized it in its
relation to the work of the message as the right arm of the body. While
very little respect has been shown to this department by many of the
people, and by some of the ministers, the Lord has shown His regard
for it by giving it abundant prosperity. When properly conducted,
the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths
to reach the heart. When the third angel’s message is received in
its fulness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of
the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table,
and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve
and protect the body. But while the health work has its place in the
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promulgation of the third angel’s message, its advocates must not in
any way strive to make it take the place of the message. The health
books should occupy their proper position; but the circulation of these
books is only one of many lines in the great work to be done. The
glowing impressions sometimes given to the canvasser in regard to the
health books must not result in excluding from the field other important
books that should come before the people. Those who have charge of
the canvassing work should be men who can discern the relation of
each part of the work to the great whole. Let them give due attention to
the circulation of the health books, but not make this line so prominent
as to draw men away from other lines of vital interest, thus excluding
the books that bear the special message of truth to the world.
Just as much education is necessary for the handling of the religious
books as for the handling of those that treat on the question of health
and temperance. Just as much should be said in regard to the work
of canvassing for books containing spiritual food, just as much effort
should be made to encourage and educate workers to circulate books
containing the third angel’s message, as is said and done to develop
workers for the health books.
The one class of books will always make a place for the other.
Both are essential, and both should occupy the field at the same time.
Each is the complement of the other, and can in no-wise take its place.
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Both treat on subjects of highest value, and both must act their part in
the preparation of the people of God for these last days. Both should