I HAVE never had anything so sweet as this work; and I feel that it is the salvation of the denomination.
I did not take much interest in this work at first, not until we had a meeting at Bethel. Then I thought I would try it, and see what I could do. I want to say right here that I am a poor salesman. My boys at home have always said to me, “Father, if you buy a horse, you will surely have him until he dies.” And so I had not much hope of making a success in selling the book, but I thought I would try.
When I got home, I called the brethren of the Antigo church together while this thing was fresh in my mind, to see what they would say. After presenting the plan, one brother began to argue that the taxes were so high this year that we could not do much. He said that he had canvassed three weeks for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and had sold only one book. That kind of talk discouraged the brethren. I decided to try this work myself. The first man I met kept me waiting until after three o’clock in the afternoon. Then I thought that it was so near night that I might just as well go home, and start out again the next morning. But I did not think it right to surrender this way, so I went to work, and by five o’clock I had twenty-two orders. I hurried from one place to another as rapidly as I could. I took orders so fast that I feared I would not leave much of an impression on the minds of the people with regard to the value of the book. And when I got home, I thought it all over, and decided that when I delivered the orders, I would stay with the people until they knew something about the book. While delivering twenty-two book orders, I sold eighteen more. This work is better than preaching.
I wish to say a word with regard to the influence of the book since the people have had it; for that is the most interesting part of the work. I took my time when delivering. I sat down and talked about the book, and what it contains. I wanted to make an impression that would lead the people to read it. Some perhaps will not; I do not know. But since that time many have come to me and asked questions with regard to the message that we are carrying to the world. Some of these are men with whom I have long desired to have a talk. I seemed unable to approach them; they were too big for me. But I thank the Lord that the book is bigger than they are. They have come and asked questions with regard to their soul’s salvation. One man especially, whom I had attempted several times to approach, but failed, has talked with me regarding this great work. I never thought that he could weep, but he did weep, and I wept too.
Another thing that I must mention is the excellent effect this work has upon those who engage in it. It seems to put new blood in our veins, and it gives a new inspiration. I will relate one experience in my home church. I said to a sister, “Had you not better take your books along and try to sell them?” She said, “I can’t sell a book; do not bother me with that thing.” “Well,” I said, “I am afraid that if you yield to such feelings, that spirit will lead to something21worse, and you may lose your soul.” But we said good-by for that day. Early the next morning she took her four books. I was somewhat afraid she might not sell them, and I made up my mind that if she did not, I would help her. But in half an hour she came back after four more. She said, “I feel so glad! I could not sleep last night, because I had treated the matter so indifferently. But now,” she continued, “I feel so glad I started. I praise the Lord. This is a good work.”
I could relate many instances like this. I have sixteen churches in my district that I am laboring with, and most of them are successful in selling the book. The work is going, and it will not stop until it is crowned with victory.