General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND MEETING OBJECTIONS

E. R. PALMER

(Read before the Canvassers’ Convention.)

IN our canvassers’ institutes and in the personal efforts of the State agent with his men in the field, there has probably been no question more thoroughly discussed, or concerning which there has been a greater variety of conflicting principles and opinions expressed, than the proper manner of answering questions and meeting the objections of the people for whom we are laboring. And that which makes the question most perplexing is the fact that nearly every canvasser has done the very thing that we as State agents have done, — he has developed a theory which to his inflexible opinion is the only logical and correct solution to this problem. GCB February 21, 1895, page 270.4

At the appointed time the State agent goes to meet his canvassers in an institute. His feet have hardly touched the platform at the railway station before his hand is grasped by a well-known brother. The greeting is something like this: “We are all so glad we are to have another institute. The Lord has blessed our labors all the year, but we need touching up again. Then there are several questions that I want explained which have troubled me for a long time.” Very likely they have not talked five minutes before the agent asks, “What ought I to reply when the people ask me if my book is denominational?” The brother is satisfied upon being assured that all such questions will be fully explained during the institute, and nothing more is heard on that line until about the second day. When the teacher is trying to impress the minds of the students of his class with the contrast between the principles of God’s government and the rival one which Satan has set up, the good brother who cannot forget the close corner into which he has been driven so many times during the season, asks what he should reply when asked what church he attends; and so on through the institute such questions are continually being precipitated upon the class. The answers given to these questions, and the principles advocated int he various States have been so conflicting that, when working in a territory where the agents are mostly imported, one can tell the region from which each came by the principles he holds, as quickly as one can determine by the accent whether the stranger he meets is a Yankee, a Southerner, a Rustler, or a Hoosier. GCB February 21, 1895, page 270.5

With all kindness to those who have taught or used cunningly framed answers to mislead the public, I am certain that such a policy is an imposition on the cause of God, and has been devised by Satan to cast reproach upon our canvassing work. Every answer to the questions of the people should be given with that clear exactness which is so becoming to the followers of Christ. When this is done, agents who work after us will have less trouble from prejudice. GCB February 21, 1895, page 270.6

But there are other lines of questions that merit our attention. It often appears that, unfortunately, Satan has filed away in the hearts of some men a list of sharp, technical questions on religious subjects, with instructions to thrust them upon every professed Christian he meets. The introduction of a religious book by an agent is a sufficient pretext for him to introduce his questions, and then you may argue at any length, but the situation will become more and more embarrassing and unsatisfactory. Such jangles should always be avoided. Our time as workers is too precious to be spent in such a futile manner. GCB February 21, 1895, page 270.7

The presentation of a book containing doctrinal subjects will often draw from the people questions that have been troubling them, and they may ask these questions simply with the desire to learn the truth; still there is a better way than to try in the little time we have, to answer these queries ourselves. It is much better to refer them to the book. Some have felt in the past that they were not properly carrying the message unless they answered all questions, and explained the truth to the inquiring public. I believe this idea is a mistaken one. It is the privilege of the canvasser to live a life before the public which, without words, will answer all questions concerning his piety. His book will answer their questions on theology better than he can, and will not engender the hard feelings, which, too often, are the result of debate. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.1

Jesus bade us, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The glory of Solomon is a monument of the human, an evidence of what man can do under the most favorable circumstances to get glory; yet his array is far surpassed by that of a single lily which passively permits God to work in it and become its glory. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.2

I have often thought that an effort on the part of the canvasser to answer all the difficult questions of the public might enhance his own glory, or perchance humiliate his pride; but power will attend his work only as he lets his book and the glory of God within his life bear a positive witness in favor of the message which he carries. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.3

The same principle should be followed in meeting objections to our book and work. No amount of talk will prove to any one that we are honest, or that our work is not a fraud; but the presence of Jesus Christ in any man will carry a convicting impression that his work is honorable, and his book genuine. Therefore I wish to emphasize the position taken that we should skillfully avoid discussion at every turn. The result of the debate is loss of much valuable time, loss of influence, a failure to make a sale, and in fact a failure in our entire mission. Let us be honest with the people in answering their queries concerning ourselves and the nature of our book and I feel assured that God will bless our labors with more pleasing results. GCB February 21, 1895, page 271.4