General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

CANVASSERS’ SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTES

G. A. WHEELER

IT is just five years since the first school was held in the interest of the canvassing work. That school was a success. In 1892, seven schools of this kind were held; in 1893, twelve States held canvassing schools; in 1894, there were fourteen schools; and this year there are sixteen or more conferences that have arranged for schools, and they are now in operation, or will commence immediately after the close of the General Conference. Of the many points that might be made showing the importance of these schools, I will notice two or three. If it is necessary for the minister who has been long in the work to attend schools for instruction and training, to fit him to preach the truth, how about the canvasser who comes directly from the farm or shop? Does he need any instruction? GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.3

If the canvasser is to make a financial success, — and if he does not, he cannot remain in the field, — he must put in full hours, and about ten of them each day. Instead of speaking one hour each day to a congregation of people who sit still and take it all in silence, he must speak about five hours a day to from fifteen to fifty different persons, at from ten to twenty different times. All of these people have a right to talk back, and they use that right, too. GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.4

The canvasser should be as conversant with his Bible as is the minister, and in addition to this he must know what his book contains, and know how to apply it; for our books have the Bible for their foundation, and are calculated to lead the minds of the people to the Bible. GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.5

What I have said in comparing the work of the minister and the canvasser, has been to magnify the canvassing work, and make it honorable. GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.6

The Lord has plainly spoken, and has given us plain directions in regard to the work of the canvasser, and what kind of person he should be. Shall we continue to send men into the field as canvassers without first knowing what their qualifications are, and continue to have the work lowered by misconduct and senseless failures, as have been done in the past in many instances? Or shall we have schools and institutes for the education of persons who desire to enter this line of work, and thus have an opportunity of knowing something of the make-up of every person to be sent into the field? GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.7

But I hear somebody say that the canvassing work has not proven as great a success during the past two years as it did before that time, and if schools are such a good thing, why do we not see the work on the increase? GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.8

If success is to be measured entirely by the financial side of the question, we will have to admit that the work is not all the success that it might be. But we are not ready to take that position that a large number of canvassers necessarily makes the work a success. Possibly the present thinning out is another case of Gideon’s army, more than two thirds of which returned home at the first test. GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.9

By the simplest means, character is often tested. Those who in time of peril were intent upon supplying their own wants, were not the men to be trusted in an emergency. The Lord has no place in his work for the indolent and self-indulgent. The men of his choice were the few who would not permit their own wants to delay them in the discharge of duty. The three hundred chosen men not only possessed courage and self-control, but they were men of faith. God could direct them, and through them he could work deliverance for Israel. Success does not depend upon numbers. God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who serve him. — “Patriarchs and Prophets,” p.550. GCB February 28, 1895, page 390.10

We do not claim that schools have any special influence on drouths, strikes, bank failures, etc. All can readily see that these things have had an effect on our work, but who is able to say what the condition of the work would now be if no schools had been held? One thing we have noticed is that when canvassers are wanted for an untried field, they are selected from among those who have had the proper education, experience, and training. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.1

Taking it for granted for a moment that experience is all that is necessary to fit one to become a successful canvasser, who will say that we should now spend the time in getting it? If experience is worth anything, let us use the experience already gained by imparting it to others. The only consistent thing for us to do is to employ the best means at hand to educate workers to take the place of those who are taken to fill other positions. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.2

The length of time given to the schools that have been held, has varied, to meet existing circumstances and conditions, from two to ten weeks. A two weeks’ school is better than none, but the best results have come from schools of from eight to ten weeks’ duration. The same preparation will have to be made for a two weeks’ school as for one for eight or ten weeks; so the comparative cost of a short school will be much greater than of one for a longer period. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.3

The studies to be taken up must also be determined by circumstances, and especially by the class of students in attendance; but whether the length of the school is to be six or twelve weeks, there are some studies that should not be left out. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.4

As an educating power, the Bible is without a rival. In the work of God, the mind finds subject for deepest thought, the loftiest aspiration. The Bible is the most instructive history that men possess. There is no position in life, no phase of human experience, for which the teaching of the Bible is not an essential preparation. Studied and obeyed, the word of God would give the world men of stronger and more active intellect than will the closest application to all the subjects that human philosophy embraces. It would give men of strength and solidity of character, of keen perception and sound judgment, — men who would be an honor to God, and a blessing to the world. — “Patriarchs and Prophets.” GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.5

Then if a person should ask me what book he should study in order to become a successful canvasser, I must answer, First, the Bible. If he should ask which is the best history to study, I must say, The Bible. If he desires to know the best book to study to train the mind to enable it to grasp a thought and to center itself upon a subject, I will still have to answer, The Bible. Then let the word of God be the first and principal study. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.6

Then comes the study of the subscription books, and they are to be studied in connection with the Bible. Since a sound mind depends very much upon a sound body, and as physiology teaches the science of so caring for the body that we may have good health, I would therefore like to see this study have a place in the school. Of course we must have exercises in reading and writing, and the proper use of the English language, also frequent lessons on the science of canvassing. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.7

It should be remembered that these schools are not intended or expected to detract in any way from our colleges; therefore care should be taken that persons who can and should attend one of our colleges, are not influenced to attend a State school. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.8

The State school has a mission which the college cannot fill, by reaching and educating those persons who are not able to go to college. GCB February 28, 1895, page 391.9