p. 19 | A Timid Woman’s Experiences by E. M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 11, 1913

A Timid Woman’s Experiences

By E. M. Graham

A SISTER tells her experiences in selling papers, as follows: “I shall write of some of my experiences in the magazine work, hoping to help some other timid worker. I am a very timid woman. Two years ago it would have seemed almost an impossibility for me to sell magazines, but a year ago our minister’s wife encouraged me to go out with her. When she went away for the summer, it seemed as if I could not go out alone, but finally I asked the Lord to take away the fear of man, and especially to give me courage to go to the business places. I asked him to help me sell some Liberty and Protestant magazines which I had. I sold thirty-seven in a little over three hours, and could have sold all in a short time longer, but met a friend who took me home to supper. I went to private houses several times after and did quite well. I never sold less than nine in a few hours, and have sold as many as twenty-four. When our minister’s wife returned, we went out together, and sometimes sold as high as sixty-five in a short time.”

“I went out with some of the Harvest Ingathering Review a few days ago, made eight calls, disposed of seven papers, and collected $1.50, with the promise of a donation later in the eighth place. What a blessed experience I had! I shall long remember it. What possibilities there are in the magazine work to get in close touch with persons and to find the honest in heart. All seemed glad to give to missions. Not a word was said about its being the work of the Seventh-day Adventists. Of course, all knew I was one, but this did not at all affect their willingness to give. It makes me feel like saying that if I am spared until next year, I will put no limit on the number of papers I will take, but will work until the territory is finished. I used to think it was not possible for me to canvass, and did not see how any one could do it, but now I love the work.”

“A number of years ago almost all our people left this place, and we were almost disbanded. After we had been in that condition for some time, I became very anxious about my little girls, feeling the need of a Sabbath-school for them. I arranged with a sister and her little girl to come to my house, and we began a little Sabbath-school. Sometimes another sister would come. We had some trials and seeming drawbacks, but held on until tent-meetings were started, and now we have a nice company again, with regular services, Sabbath-school, and Missionary Volunteer Society. We have our hall again, which was almost lost, and are putting it in good shape. It seems too good to be true. I want to tell those who are alone to go ahead and have a little Sabbath-school, even if it is only the members of one family, and the Lord will bless their efforts. It was our testing time, but the Lord was mindful of us, and to him be all the praise. We are of good courage, and want to do our part in hastening the coming of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Here is a timid sister almost too fearful to venture out, and yet when she does go in the strength of the Lord, he gives her success and such rich blessings that now she loves the work she once thought it impossible to do. This will be the experience of all who will go out to labor for others. They will find that in blessing others they are richly blessed. Are there not many in our churches who will be encouraged by this sister’s experience to venture out on the Lord’s promises? He is waiting for them to prepare the way for his coming. E. M. GRAHAM.