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The Publishing Ministry
The canvassing work is not to be conducted in a slack, loose
manner. Those engaged in work that calls for the handling of money
should keep a strict account of every penny received and paid out. The
education in accuracy thus gained will fit them for greater usefulness.
If a canvasser continues to order books, and sends no report of his
work, making no statement regarding their delivery and the receipt
and expenditure of the money that he handles, those in charge of the
work should, in a kind, friendly manner, endeavor to ascertain the true
situation. To supply books freely to an agent until he is hopelessly
involved in debt is to do injustice both to the canvasser and to those by
whom he is employed. Such a loose, careless way of working brings
discouragement.
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A worker who sees that he is unable to make a success of the
canvassing work should go to the proper persons and tell them that he
cannot continue in that line of work.
Every canvasser should be truthful, honest, and faithful. How many
souls might be saved from temptation, and how much sorrow might
be avoided, if all our workers were trained to be as true as steel to
principle!—
Manuscript 20, 1904
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Labor to Win Confidence of Helpers—Let all in the publishing
houses remember that they are in a school, from which they are to go
forth prepared to bear spiritual responsibilities. Let those in charge of
the work take up the work of soul saving, laboring earnestly to prepare
workers to enter new fields. Let them present the truth, not only in
precept but in practice, giving in the life a perfect representation of the
religion they profess to believe. As they strive earnestly to overcome,
they will teach others how to overcome. God works with the faithful
steward who seeks to do as Christ would do in his place.
Do not seek to shun responsibilities. To do this is to dishonor the
claim of discipleship. In His ministry on this earth Christ represented
His Father. We are to follow in His steps.—
Letter 140, 1901
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Young Women as Workers—Women instructors should labor
with the young women, not to see how much work can be gained from
them, but to win their love and confidence. When this is won, there
will be no difficulty about the work, for the workers will be filled with
a desire to please.
The Lord calls upon those engaged in the sacred work of publishing
the truth to give evidence that they have been purified by His grace.