SOME GOOD FOR ONE THING, AND SOME FOR ANOTHER by Stephen Nelson Haskell

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 18, 1879

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 25

SOME GOOD FOR ONE THING, AND SOME FOR ANOTHER.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

When we mention the success some have in obtaining interested readers for our periodicals, or in canvassing, selling Annuals, etc., we are often met with, “Well, some are good for one thing, and some for another.” No doubt there is much truth in this statement; but there are so many phases to the missionary work that each individual can find a position where he can do something. Indeed, we have about come to the conclusion that those who cannot possibly find a place of usefulness in the missionary cause, are pretty nearly good for nothing. The Saviour teaches us that all have at least one talent. God designs that each individual shall occupy some position in the cause of Christ, where he can use the talent intrusted to him. Men usually make a success of that which their heart is in. There are many who can make a success of almost anything. Some possess ability to trade, and can find buyers for almost anything, from a patent right to a penny toy, whether it has any practical value or not. Give them books and periodicals, and they will find subscribers anywhere. This talent, if devoted to the service of God in canvassing for periodicals or selling our publications, would be acceptable to him, and would yield fruit in the kingdom of God. In this way the promise of the life that now is, with that which is to come, may be secured. God has given us talents, not to be buried in the earth, but to be devoted to his service.

GOOD HEALTH.

This journal should not only be in the family of every S. D. Adventist, but thousands of new subscribers should be obtained yearly. Not less than one hundred canvassers should be canvassing for it to-day. The Household Manual, which is prepared to go with it as a premium to new subscribers, is truly a valuable book. This and Good Health will be furnished to canvassers at a price which will not only enable the canvasser to offer it to others at prices which will induce them to subscribe, but which will afford him a liberal support. Still, there will be obstacles to be met, and difficulties to be overcome, which will require faith, courage, and zeal. This branch of the missionary work should not be neglected. Each Conference should have a goodly number of brethren and sisters who will enter upon this work the present winter. This can be brought about, if our tract officers take it in hand and encourage the work. Arrangements can be made with each tract society so that it can furnish outfits and premiums. Shall there not be one grand rally the remainder of this winter in this branch of the missionary work? Special arrangements can be made with the Signs office by those who wish to canvass for the Signs of the Times.

PLAIN FACTS.

This book is worthy of an extensive circulation. The publishers have adopted the plan of assigning districts to canvassers. This will secure to each a field which will not be intruded upon by others. Authorized agents will canvass the territory they have selected or that has been assigned to them, including in their labors our brethren and sisters who may live within its limits. The book has been read by many of our people, and its merits are well known, therefore nothing need be said upon this point, in this connection. Like Good Health, it is not denominational, and yet it is just what our people need to read. Canvassing for this book is like canvassing for others; unless the heart and soul are thrown into the work, the canvasser will soon retire from the field. Those who have taken hold of this work with zeal, sell from five to ten copies per day. Included in the outfit is a valuable book of instructions to canvassers, which, if followed, will insure success to nearly all who enter the field as canvassers. For particulars as to price and territory, address the publishers of Good Health, Battle Creek, Mich., or Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal.

ANNUALS FOR 1880.

When the question respecting Annuals was presented on the Healdsburg camp-ground, one man thought they could only be disposed of by giving them away, and proposed that each church should send in an order. He thought the matter had been overdone in previous years. This was (although not so designed) the only Annual-cooler we had at this meeting, and it called forth remarks from individuals, representing nearly every portion of the State, showing their appreciation of the Annuals, and to some extent the good that has been accomplished through this agency. They also stated how many they wanted, and for the distribution of which they would be individually responsible. In less than half an hour over twelve thousand were spoken for, largely by individuals, and our good brother who first spoke took two hundred himself.

The New England Tract Society has proved the efficiency of this kind of reading matter. It has a membership of about three hundred, the Conference of about four hundred; yet every year since the Annual was first issued, it has ordered ten thousand, or more. These Annuals, with other missionary efforts, have been the means of calling the attention of thousands to the health and temperance question, and to other points of present truth. The masses attending the New England camp-meeting, the urgent solicitation for lectures on the subject of temperance by our people, attest this fact. The people are heartily sick of the dry statistics usually presented to them by temperance lecturers, and want to go further than common temperance societies carry this question. The practical turn given to this subject by S. D. Adventists takes with them. This desirable change in society has, to a great degree, been brought about by the distribution of our Health Annual, and by obtaining subscribers to Good Health.

This year the New England Tract Society has taken fifteen thousand Annuals. The children sell them, and the brethren take some for their own use, and pay ten cents each for them. This helps very much to pay the first cost. Vermont has also done nobly, having taken five thousand this year. New York has stood among the foremost. Other Conferences have done well. All of these publications contain rays of light, and direct the attention of thousands to the people that God has made the depositaries of his holy law. Blessed are those Conferences, and the individuals connected with them, who do not slacken their hands as the perils thicken, but who raise the standard a little higher each year, push a little harder at the wheel, cry courage a little stronger, and accomplish a little more than the previous year. The battle is almost over. Then those who have been true every time, who have rallied at every call, will share in the victory.

S. N. HASKELL.