General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

SPENDING SABBATH AND SUNDAY AMONG STRANGERS

F. W. MORSE

(Read before the State Agents’ Convention.)

WHEN it is practicable, I would advise that canvassers go out two and two, and secure a room to which they can return each Friday, and spend Sabbath together. In their association with all classes I think it best that they should give no just occasion for busy tongues of opposition to cut off their influence among the people; for their influence and standing among the people in the community are important items of capital stock in their business. GCB March 1, 1895, page 415.2

They are not to allow themselves to be diverted from the main line of their work, so as to enter into publishing the truths that they carry by their own testimony, only so far as a faithful Christian deportment and application to their business will do this. They should so conduct themselves that the books they carry shall become mouth-pieces for God. Then let them be content to be known as “book agents,” and not by any manner of conduct set themselves up as missionaries, Bible-workers, or evangelists. They are the advance guard of the Lord’s army of workers, thrown out to conduct a self-supporting campaign into the enemy’s country. GCB March 1, 1895, page 415.3

It is much more consistent to avoid opposition than to waste time and strength to cope with it when once aroused. I have heard of people who, it is said, “drag their tree through the world by the top.” I have heard canvassers instructed always to arrange with the stranger’s family where they expect to spend Sabbath, with special reference to the day as Sabbath. I am not prepared to maintain that this is always advisable. There is a proper time, place, and way of getting at all things. In finding these consists one very important element of success to every canvasser. A safe thing for the agent to do is that he always guard against the over-conspicuous display of those things of most radical variance between his own position and that of those whom he desires to help. Our Sabbaths and Sundays among the people, whoever they are, whatever their ideas and belief, should be with humble faith put into the hands of Him who guides his own work, and who will properly guide all things that are beyond our control, to his own name’s honor and glory, if we will only let him do so. Among the things the canvasser does not always know, nor can he always control, is the place where the end of the week shall find him. As we shall go to our God for the providing of a home each night in the land of strangers, so should we also commit to him our location and quarters for the approaching Sabbath. Every worker for Christ who has proved the force of the promise to those who go out from house and home for love of souls, knows what it is to experience God’s tender care in guiding him to the right place. GCB March 1, 1895, page 415.4

The word of God tells us about “preparing the way,” and it is entirely commendable even to “gather out the stones.” Our great Leader himself did not “cry nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets.” GCB March 1, 1895, page 415.5

The unassuming simplicity of a steady concentration of effort toward getting the books into the homes of those we visit, is a field for self-improvement broad enough to engage the labor of any mind. The profitable guiding of the conversation is an important item to the canvasser at all times, and more particularly on the Sabbath-day. The canvasser should be master of the situation, so far as is suitable, and with the blessing of God the general drift of the talk may be conducted so as to contribute to his success, and be to the honor and glory of God. I can recommend to canvassers the usefulness of becoming familiar with a well-chosen list of good selections which they can readily command at any time; and if watchful and humbly desirous for the advancement of God’s work, they may use those selections, and the advantage is two-fold, calculated to awaken fond impulses in the minds of those who listen, and an improvement of mind to one’s own self. These selections may be some of the old hymns, and all of the canvassers ought to know many of these by heart; they may be some of the best productions of the leading writers, and most and best of all, the worker should have a ready knowledge of whole chapters in the Bible. What is better than the twenty-third psalm or the great chapters like the “Consecration Chapter” (Romans 12), the “Joyful Psalm” (Psalm 98), the “Business Man’s Chapter” (Proverbs 8), and many others. GCB March 1, 1895, page 416.1

But it must be borne in mind that with one’s entertainers Saturday is their busy day, perhaps, where the Sabbath finds him, and not infrequently does it occur that no comfortable room separate from the busy house-work can be supplied. Here is a good chance to repair to those hallowed places of retreat which were “God’s first temples.” GCB March 1, 1895, page 416.2

Here in the grove or the park the worker may sharpen his faculties for better work by the study of the word of God and the book he is selling, far better than could be done by argument and discussion over points of difference in faith and practice. Then as to mingling in religious services with the people on Sunday, or for that matter at any other time, I think it well to be posted on their state and standing in spiritual things. To this end, go with them, or join in worship, but always shun everything in word or manner that would be justly construed as setting one’s self up before them in any respect - over and above what we truly are, or at least should be, plain, honest “book agents.” What we offer to the people are books to be instruments in revealing to them the gospel, “the power of God unto salvation.” They are to aid in the right comprehension of Him who taketh away the sin of the world. GCB March 1, 1895, page 416.3

Then let it be the aim in all things to hide self behind the good and commendable work we are doing. Magnify the good book, but let the personal display of the agent, either as to wit, wisdom, or piety, be lost sight of in the enthusiasm he awakens in behalf of the book he carries. GCB March 1, 1895, page 416.4