HINTS TO COLPORTERS by S. N. H.

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 8, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 2

HINTS TO COLPORTERS.

By S. N. H.

BY S. N. H.

Notwithstanding much has been said about canvassing for our periodicals and publications, the importance of this work has not been realized, and nothing has as yet been accomplished in comparison to what should have been done in this direction. We propose here to make some suggestions to canvassers and colporters, but in “Especial Instruction to Canvassers” will be found more particulars.

ITS IMPORTANCE.

There are cities and villages from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and from the provinces on the north to the extreme south, where the people are capable of appreciating the truth and would receive it were it presented, but where, as yet, the light of present truth has never dawned. Our ministers are few, and if the work were left to them, many of these places would never be entered. Our V. M. societies are doing a great and good work in sending the Signs of the Times, like rays of light, into many neighborhoods where moral darkness reigns, and by this means God is raising up witnesses here and there; but this important agency, even, will, if left to itself, fail to accomplish what it might.

Canvassers for our various periodicals and publications should enter these places, become acquainted with the people, and thus do a work which no other means yet devised can accomplish. It is well for some to make a specialty of obtaining subscribers for Good Health, the Signs of the Times, or some other periodical, but a more general labor is also needed. The man who thus enters villages, and, going from house to house, introduces our publications, obtains subscribers for our periodicals, loans, sells, or gives away reading matter, as the case may be, prays with families, and points them to Christ, his truth, and his work, is filling as useful and important a position as any minister who pitches his tent in new fields. The interest awakened by this personal labor will be more permanent than that resulting from preaching, and will more thoroughly educate the receiver of the truth in the same kind of labor. If one work is more useful and more important than the other, it is that of the colporter. The usefulness of such a man will depend largely upon his

ADDRESS.

He should be kind and courteous, always affable, never taking offense. He should be one that can adapt himself to circumstances, and be so deaf to rebuffs and insult, in the desire to do others good, that they will pass by unnoticed. “Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? Who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord’s servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” Isa. 42:19, 20. He should ever carry with him a warm and genial heart. He must be able to discern moral worth, sympathize with the afflicted, and be prepared to greet each and every person with some affectionate and cordial expression.

It is not necessary that the dress be expensive, but it should be tidy. A person of refinement will be disgusted with anything uncouth or slovenly in word or manner, and God will hold his servant responsible for the influence exerted. Anything like stiffness or affectation should not be so much as named. He should feel it a privilege to assist in any little duties which courtesy may prompt him to do, such as to bring in an armful of wood or draw a pail of water. This kind, obliging manner should not be put on for the occasion, but should be the spontaneous outgushing of a kind and loving heart. To the aged and children he should pay especial attention; in short, the whole life should be one of kind acts kindly expressed—that of a gentleman in the highest sense of the word.

THE HABITS.

It is important for the colporter and his influence upon those with whom he comes in contact, that he establish such regular habits as will discipline himself, and better prepare him to labor successfully for others. Early rising is necessary, in fact it is essential to success. The dawn of the morning should ever find him in prayer, or engaged in reading his Bible or some book for improvement. Says David: “I prevented [went before] the dawning of the morning, and cried.” “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Ps. 119:147; 5:3. Expressions similar to the above are of frequent occurrence in the Scriptures. Besides, we have the example of our divine Lord; after the busy scenes of the day, and before the dawning of the morning, he was often in solitude, engaged in prayer for his disciples. If this was necessary for the Son of God, it certainly should be practiced by those going into the world as his representatives, to carry forward the work which he has committed to his followers. No loitering or lazing around should be indulged in for a moment.

WHAT SHOULD THE COLPORTER TAKE WITH HIM?

He should take an assortment of our publications, which can be easily carried, also sample copies of our periodicals. To plainly state your business, which is to get religious reading into families, will not be found detrimental to your success. The fact that what you sell is for a missionary society, and not for yourself, will often induce a person to purchase of you, and not unfrequently will call out donations to the society. In some instances it may be well to loan reading matter, and call again and exchange for something else.

Inquire if there are Germans, French, Swedes, or Danes in the neighborhood, and be prepared to furnish them periodicals in their native tongue. A Swede and his wife attended our late meeting in New England, and he went home a Sabbath-keeper. Months ago one of our brethren called on him, and left the Harold. He sent for the journal, and became a subscriber. I might mention many instances of a similar nature. The colporter should be

ACTIVELY ENGAGED

From early in the morning till late at night; he should be earnest, vigilant, and thorough. He should never stop long enough to weary the family he is with, but leave when the interest is the highest. A short visit will usually be found the most profitable at first. There may be especial cases where it would not be best to have prayers before leaving; but often a season of feeling prayer will remove prejudice and have a melting, subduing influence.

The colporter’s business is to interest and instruct in the truth he presents; therefore the mind should be kept upon the work before him, and not be diverted from it. Great care should be taken here; if the conversation is allowed to run upon other themes, the object of the call will be lost. He has but one object in view; therefore he should keep to the point. Those who simply visit a family for a sort of familiar talk, and then leave, will accomplish no good whatever. The value of a colporter will be seen in the interest that is awakened, not merely in the number of good talks he can report. If an interest has been awakened, subscribers will be obtained, books will be purchased, and prayer-meetings will be held, also meetings where points of truth can be presented in private houses. If he be a good reader, a short tract can be read.

SCRIPTURE READINGS.

Meetings for Scripture reading can be held with profit, if properly conducted. The best method suggested by those who have had experience is as follows:

1. Have a number of texts arranged on some subject, which are direct and conclusive; 2. Let them be handed around previous to the reading, in season for those who are to read to have them found, and let each individual be ready to read one reference; 3. Then call for them to be read by asking first one and then another to read in that order which will most conclusively prove the point in question; 4. While the texts are being read, call attention to such expressions as most clearly establish the doctrine under consideration; 5. Let no one of the company understand beforehand the texts to be read by the others. This, in some instances, has awakened a wonderful interest in certain doctrines of present truth, and has led individuals to study the Scriptures as never before.

If the heart of the colporter is fully enlisted in his work, he will resort to every means to interest others in the truth.