The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts

A “Review” Extra on the Colporteur Cause

It was a tremendous undertaking to get an efficient self supporting canvassing work under way. Other mission societies had often employed agents for their literature, but their colporteurs were all paid a salary. We were instructed that canvassers properly trained could support themselves. Many doubted that then, though all know it now. In May, 1883, a Review and Herald supplement was printed, dealing entirely with the colporteur problem. The first four pages of that large-size extra contained “An Address on the Importance and Wants of Our Missions.” This was signed by G. 1. Butler, S. N. Haskell, and J. Fargo, General Conference Committee. After this were four stirring articles on canvassing by Elder Butler and four by Elder Haskell. Elder Butler wrote on these two questions, “Is the Canvassing Work to Prove a Success or a Failure?” and “What More Shall Be Done to Make Canvassing a Success?” From his articles we quote: FSG 356.1

“This is a most important question, and the answer to it will depend wholly on ourselves. The canvassing work can be made to succeed, or it can be left to fail. The easier way will surely result in failure. Success can be gained only by careful planning and persistent effort. The matter is important, because great good may be accomplished by this means. A vast amount of light and truth may be brought before the people in a favorable manner, and at comparatively small expense. And this is the most important thing to be done in the world. Light must shine out to all the world, and honest souls must be gathered by it.... FSG 356.2

“We have not as yet realized the importance of this branch of the work. We have not begun to comprehend the extent to which it may be carried.... FSG 356.3

“Why can we not have a large corps of men and women who will consecrate themselves to this kind of work, and be willing to bear the cross and endure the shame of unpopular truth... FSG 357.1

“The canvassing work, if entered upon with the right motive, is precisely the same in character as that of the minister.... FSG 357.2

“No better demonstration can be given than that which has been given, that the canvass for ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation’ may be made a great success. With the very limited, desultory effort which has been put forth the past year, several thousand copies have been sold. And what is most remarkable of all is, that it seems to go just about as well in one part of the country as another. It was first tried in Ohio, and about five hundred copies were sold there in a few months. Brother King canvassed, with about equal success, in Topeka, Kan.; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minn.; Lincoln, Neb.; and in other large places. He took orders quite rapidly in these important places, and obtained excellent names to head his list,—names which carried influence with them, such as those of judges of courts, ministers of other churches, mayors of cities, professors in colleges, and other prominent persons. Young and inexperienced canvassers sold books rapidly in Texas, Michigan, California, the Gulf States, and in the Eastern States. FSG 357.3

“I have recently received a letter from a young brother now in the State of Arkansas. I met him last fall at the Lansing, Mich., camp meeting, and talked with him, as he was troubled to decide whether it was his duty to canvass or not. He decided to do so, and went to that State. He has canvassed the town of Pine Bluff, Ark., a place of about 3,600 inhabitants, and says: ‘I canvassed there just thirteen days, and took one hundred and seventeen orders. Quite a number who are friends to the cause tell me that they think it best not to tell the people that it is an Adventist book; but I have certainly found it otherwise. If any one gives me a chance to speak a word for the Adventist faith, I do it, and often find that I obtain an order by that means. I think the Lord is surely with the work.’” FSG 357.4