Training Literature Evangelists to Sell
259
Born-Again Canvassers Needed—Simple, direct methods are to
be employed. Put your confidence in God. He will teach you how to
simplify, how to avoid using methods in the publication and circulation
of books which will bring disappointment and failure....
Canvassing is evangelistic work, and by it great good may be done.
Two canvassers should be sent out together. They can help one another
to be indeed honored sons of God. “Seeing ye have purified your
souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of
the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (
1 Peter 1:22, 23
).
How important, then, it is that all who take hold of the work, those who
canvass and those who work in the office, shall faithfully preserve and
practice the highest, holiest principles of the Word of God. They are
to be born again, by the power of the Word of God, through obedience
to the truth. They are to know for themselves what righteousness
means....
Let a class of canvassers be fitted up, by thorough instruction and
drill, to handle the publications that shall come forth from the press.
[298]
Those who take up the work of canvassing as a preparation for the
ministry will indeed realize the truth of the Saviour’s words, “He shall
glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you”
(
John 16:14
).—
Letter 66, 1901
.
Guarding Unworked Territory Holds Back Sales—I am sorry
that it should be thought necessary to delay the work in some places
because of territorial lines, and that it should be considered irregular
for the workers to sell books in certain territories where the field is
neglected. This has held back the sale of our books. Changes should
be made regarding this condition. If territory that is claimed by a
certain conference is not faithfully worked for the circulation of our
literature, those workers who have a burden for that territory should
not be forbidden the privilege of laboring there.—
Letter 328, 1907
.
Prompt Payment by Literature Evangelists Important—
Through the failure of canvassers to meet their indebtedness, our tract
societies have been involved in debt; they cannot meet their obligations
to the publishing houses; thus these institutions become embarrassed,
and their work is hindered. Some canvassers have thought themselves
ill-treated when required to make prompt payment to the publishers