General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

CANVASSING IN DISTRICT FIVE

A. J. BREED

DISTRICT 5 is composed of the following States and Territories: Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, new Mexico, and Wyoming. In the most of this territory the canvassing work can be successfully carried on the entire time during the year. The people are anxious to learn, and have but few books, and much of the territory has never been canvassed for our publications. GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.3

Oklahoma is a new field, and but little has as yet been done. The efforts put forth so far have been productive of much good, and those engaged in the work find it a good field. GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.4

In many places among the mountains, and across the broad prairies, as well as the cities; there are many honest souls who long for something better than the present state of hard times can give. Many being out of employment, will read; and now is the most favorable opportunity to introduce the truth among them, that we shall ever have. While many are out of employment, yet it has not been such a detriment to the canvassing work as many have supposed; for it is an established fact that while men have been idle to quite an extent, they have turned their attention to reading, and the same Spirit that has been leading those who have charge of the work to lay broader plans, has been turning the attention of the people to publications containing present truth, and many are inquiring, What do these things mean? GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.5

If the canvassing work is made to prosper during the state of things that now exists, there must be earnest, faithful, consecrated men and women to engage in it, and faithful time must be put in while in the field. If our “publications are to be scattered as the leaves of autumn,” presidents of Conferences, with executive committees, must become canvassers, not that they shall enter the field to solicit orders, but their interests and influence must be felt in the canvassing work. Ministers visiting churches, and going from place to place should ever bear in mind that the canvassing work is God’s chosen means of reaching many who would not otherwise be impressed with the truth. It should be kept before the minds of the young, they should have their attention turned toward it, that they may learn to have deep respect for every department of the work belonging to the message. In this way the ranks of canvassers may be kept full. They can be filled by those who have been educated for the work, and perhaps have spent some time in canvassing for the smaller publications, so there may be no lack of laborers in any department of the work. GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.6

There is a call for new books, but the Third Angel’s Message is all brought out in the publications we now have, as far as it is developed, such as “Great Controversy,” “Patriarchs and prophets,” “Bible Readings” “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” and “Two Republics.” There is also a call for smaller publications, bound in cheaper binding, which will no doubt be an excellent thing, as it will give opportunity for many to engage in the canvassing work, who would not be able to handle the larger publications. We would not think it best for those who have made a success in handling our larger publications to drop them for the smaller works, but they should be encouraged to use them as helps; there is a class who can successfully handle the smaller publications that cannot make a success with the larger books; such should be encouraged to take hold of the smaller publications. GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.7

We see no reason why success may not attend the efforts to circulate periodicals by canvassing as has been done with the large publications, and when it is fully demonstrated that it can be done successfully, many will be engaged in canvassing for these, that now have no part in the work. The canvass for periodicals may be engaged in even if the territory has been canvassed for the large publications. GCB February 13, 1895, page 119.8

A few of the special needs of the canvassing work in District 5, may be named as follows: (1.) The true spirit of the message to come upon the laborers, which will give a burden for souls that now know nothing of the truth. (2.) Earnest, faithful, consecrated men and women to engage in the work. (3.) A live, active State agent to look after the work, spending a part of his time in canvassing for the different publications, that he may be fully prepared to instruct and educate all who wish to enter the work. (4.) To follow the principles brought out in the Testimonies in selecting canvassers. (5.) Cheap books to meet a class who have not had the advantages of an education. When these principles are followed, we see no reason why we may not expect success to follow the efforts put forth. GCB February 13, 1895, page 120.1