Unity of Effort
33
stand as present truth, to enlighten, to arouse, to convince. Both should
blend in the work of sanctifying and purifying the churches that are
looking and waiting for the coming of the Son of God in power and
great glory.
Let each publisher and general agent work enthusiastically to en-
courage the agents now in the field, and to hunt up and train new
workers. Let each strengthen and build up the work as much as possi-
ble without weakening the work of others. Let all be done in brotherly
love and without selfishness.
* * * * *
It has been urged as the best policy that only one book at a time
should have a place in the canvassing field,—that all the canvassers
should work for the same book. Could this be done, it would not
be wise nor expedient. No one book should be carried exclusively
and kept before the public as if it could supply every demand for this
time. If the Lord has light for His people, brought out in different
ways in various books, who shall venture to put up barriers so that the
light shall not be diffused throughout the world? The Lord desires our
brethren to devise plans so that the light He has given shall not be hid
in our publishing-houses, but shall shine forth to enlighten all who
will receive it.
If our canvassers are controlled by the spirit of financial gain, if
[48]
they circulate the book upon which they can make the most money,
to the neglect of others that the people need, I ask, In what sense is
theirs a missionary work? Where is the missionary spirit, the spirit of
self-sacrifice? The work of the intelligent, God-fearing canvasser has
been represented as equal to that of the gospel minister. Then should
the canvasser feel at liberty, any more than the minister, to act from
selfish motives? Should he be unfaithful to the principles of missionary
work, and sell only those books that are cheapest and easiest to handle,
neglecting to place before the people books which will give most light,
because by so doing he can earn more money for himself? How is the
missionary spirit revealed here? Has not the canvassing work ceased
to be what it should be? How is it that no voice is raised to correct this
state of things?
* * * * *