Returning to the Work by R. L. Pierce

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 9, 1905

Returning to the Work

By R. L. Pierce

R. L. PIERCE

It is evident that the time has come when books containing the third angel’s message should be circulated as never before. Recent Testimonies are very emphatic on this point. The Lord is calling for workers to go forth in his vineyard with the printed page of truth,—those who have been successful in other lines, and who have tact, “push,” ability, together with consecration and a love for perishing souls.

“In all parts of the field, colporteurs and canvassers should be chosen, not from the floating element of society, not from men and women who are good for nothing else, and who have made a success of nothing, but from among those who have good address, tact, keen foresight, and ability. . . . Men and women are wanted who are as true to duty as the needle is to the pole,—men and women who will work without having their way smoothed and every obstacle removed. . . . A great and important work is before us. The enemy of souls realizes this, and he is using every means in his power to lead the canvassers to take up some other line of work. This order of things should be changed. God calls the canvassers back to their work.”—Manual for Canvassers.

It is certainly a cause for great rejoicing to see some of the pioneers responding to this call, while others are now closing up the lines of work in which they have been engaged in recent years, preparatory to again entering the field with their prospectuses. Some who are now on farms are disposing of them in order to give all their time to the canvassing work; thus the way is being prepared not only for a revival of this branch of the work, but for this message to go with greater strides than it did even in the earlier days of its history.

God, through his faithful and tried servants, has already given us the books containing the third angel’s message, and just now while conditions are so favorable, he calls upon his people to push their sale with sanctified determination and untiring perseverance. The canvassing work is steadily coming to the front again, and is now being recognized by many as accomplishing more in the advancement of this cause than perhaps any other one department of our denominational work. We think there are most excellent reasons for this, aside from the plain and forcible instruction given in the Testimonies regarding it. Note the following:—

1. Through the consecrated canvasser the truth is effectually carried to more people than by any other means.

2. He produces his own wages, and is therefore not dependent upon any of our institutions or conferences for his support. Instead of taking money out of the cause, which is so greatly in need of funds, he is bringing money into it.

3. He is co-operating with our publishing houses and tract societies in the production and distribution of literature.

4. He carries the truth into homes where prejudice or a love of the world forbid our ministers and Bible workers to enter.

5. He comes into the closest touch with the people and their needs. This is especially true of that form known as “resident canvassing.”

6. His own heart is kept warm and glowing with the love of Christ and his soon appearing, as he goes about his work of carrying the message to those in the “highways and hedges.”

There are many who can not devote all their time to this work, but there are very few, if any, who could not find some time in which to help place our publications in the hands of the people if they would but put forth a zealous and determined effort. Some can work certain days or hours each week, or perhaps evenings, while others may only be able to sell a book or a paper as they go on some errand, or while attending to other duties. We have seen many illustrations of this. One brother, occupying quite an important business position, sold several hundred copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” while sitting at his desk. An aged sister, who was not able to go out to canvass, sold twelve books in two weeks at her home. Her grocery boy, the woman that supplied her with produce from the country, and the woodman each bought a book; and neighbors who called were given an opportunity to buy. A minister going to a general meeting took with him two hundred copies of the smaller books for the children to sell. These were sold in two days, and one little girl, after selling all she had, came back, and with the love of true service beaming from her childish eyes, said:

“Brother —, you didn’t have faith enough, did you?” He could only answer “No,” and ask God to give him more faith in the promise, “Angels will be sent out before our workers to prepare the hearts of the people for the truth as contained in our books.”

If one and all—ministers, physicians, farmers, carpenters, housewives, Bible workers, employees, students, etc., as well as the children—will take hold of this work prayerfully and earnestly, we shall see this message go as it has never gone in the past. Let no one think that the Lord is actually dependent upon any of us to carry these important truths to the world; but were this privilege denied us, we should be deprived of one of Heaven’s richest blessings,—the joy that comes from saving others. Let us, therefore, “put on the whole armor of God,” and in his fear, sound the warning message, while conditions for the sale of our literature are so favorable; for soon “the night cometh, in the which no man can work.”