Chile by Thomas H. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 13, 1909

Chile

By Thomas H. Davis

ANTOFAGASTA.—Lately I have been quite busy instructing the canvassers along the west coast field. Quite a number of able young men have left this line of work, for lack of instruction as to how to take orders for large books. They would be filled with enthusiasm and then sent out with a lot of books. They could not sell as many as they expected, and consequently were discouraged. Of course we can hardly blame them or the leaders.

I am now well started in the work with the native help we have. They are generally willing to learn, and several have adopted the plan of taking orders for our large books before attempting to sell the books outright. I have just come up from Taltal, a thriving port town, and am much pleased with the work of a native brother who is canvassing there. After being out with me a little while, he started to take orders for “Coming King,” and surprised himself by taking five in four and one-half hours. While there, my average was four and one-half orders an hour for large books. One day I took twenty-eight orders in five hours, valued at two hundred fifty-two dollars, Chilean. Here in this town I am taking over twenty orders a day. My plan is to instruct the colporteurs, and go out with them, that they may get an idea of how to operate the subscription plan.

Here on the coast of Chile four capable American young men are needed to energetically work the large cities, which have been almost neglected so far. They could support themselves by selling English books while they learn the language, as the towns are full of English-speaking people. These American laborers would be a sort of backbone to the canvassing work here. I think we have one of the easiest fields in the world in which to sell books; and if the workers are self-supporting, it will be a blessing to the conference.

At the Pua school, in August, I held an institute. It was rather trying at first to know how to handle the canvassers; but now things have taken a turn for the better.

From here I expect to go on north to Iquique, then to Peru, where Brother A. N. Allen is holding an institute for canvassers. I expect to be there at least a month. My health is not any too good; but the Lord makes up the lack by blessing me more than I can expect. THOS. H. DAVIS.