THE CANVASSING WORK IN GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT NO. 1

I. D. VAN HORN

ITS NEEDS, AND ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

No Authorcode

THE canvassing work has become a settled business. it is an important branch of the Third Angel’s Message. No argument is needed at this late day, to prove its beneficial results to the cause of the Lord. it is a power to spread the truth of God to the salvation of souls, while at the same time it is a financial support to the trained worker. it is a business that has come to stay with the message to its close. It is a school as well, by which laborers are developed for other branches of the cause. In this particular, no doubt, too many in the past have been taken for the real good of the canvassing work. yet, for all this, it opens the way for large numbers of our people, young and old, to enter the work of the Lord.GCB February 8, 1895, page 60.7

The great Advent movement began in the East. The State of Maine first heard the Third Angel’s Message. Its course has been westward, yet all along the pathway it left staunch representatives and faithful witnesses. To these it left a cheering promise that it would return again with increased zeal and with greater power. Testimonies, Vol. I, page 149:—GCB February 8, 1895, page 60.8

I saw that when the Message shall increase greatly in power, then the providence of God will open and prepare the way in the East for much more to be accomplished than can be at the present time. God will then send some of his servants in power to visit places where little or nothing can now be done; and some who are now indifferent, will be aroused, and will take hold of the truth. GCB February 8, 1895, page 60.9

In the East, too, the Tract and Missionary Society first started in its grand and glorious work of distributing the printed page everywhere in the wide world. Periodicals, tracts, and books multiplied. It proved to be a strong supporting power to the publishing work. By this means our periodicals were lifted from the embarrassment of debt to a cash basis. Books lay on the shelves of our publishing houses, and the Testimonies said, “Circulate them.” Out of this necessity came the canvassing work. It soon took shape and became a success. Work for many hands was in demand, and the cause of the Lord went rapidly forward.GCB February 8, 1895, page 60.10

A great work is yet to be done in this line in General Conference District No. 1. It has a vast territory to be worked over, not so much perhaps in its square miles of surface as some of the other districts may have, but in its large population. According to the census of 1890, upwards of 20,000,000, or nearly one third of the people of the United States live here. Along the Atlantic coast we have almost a continuous city; and many large cities inland. Here the canvasser can find many people in a short distance. On the point of intelligence and education the standard is as high as in any part of the world. Although so many millions live in this district, there are only about the same number of Sabbath-keepers as are in the Michigan Conference. Here, then, is our first great need of more than ten times as many judicious, well-trained canvassers as are now employed, to enter this field all ripe for the truth, where they can work continuously over the same territory till the close of the message.GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.1

Another needed thing, which is an inducement to every canvasser, exists in this field, that there is more money per capita here than in any other part of the country. True, we hear the cry of “hard times” which has become so common of late, yet business is moving on, and the people live fairly well. It is not here as it is in the West, where new homes are taken up, and the failure of crops brings disappointment, hunger, and distress. Here the people live in old, settled homes which have been occupied for many years, and most of them have a little money laid by for a rainy day.GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.2

In this district, at the capital of our nation, we have a seat of the “beast” — the Roman Catholic power in the person of Monsignor Satolli. there has been built for him a home — a palace — far superseding in architectural design and grandeur in finish, the White House — the home of the President. The great Catholic university is established here also. Near by, in the city of Baltimore, we have the home of Cardinal Gibbons, which adds a strong influence to that at Washington, with the one great object in view, which is, to become the dominant religious power of the nation. But even more can be said of New York City, lately enlarged and increased in population to the second city in the world, wielding a supporting influence and power for the papacy on the same line in this country.GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.3

But we have another power, professedly Protestant, in this district, working to the same end. It is the great national Reform movement having its seat at Pittsburg, Pa. The meaning of this movement is the same as that of the papacy; viz., the subjugation of this nation to a religious despotism. The great mass of the people are ignorant of what the success of these powers will bring about. They should be enlightened. The canvassing work is one grand means of giving them the needed information. There should be no delay in getting our literature into the hands of the people. It would be well, and according to God’s will, to have it done before the spirit of the dragon is so aroused as to make it difficult or impossible. The salvation of souls now in this time is of more value than money or property.GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.4

This one great motive, the salvation of precious souls for whom Christ died, once down deep in the heart, would put thousands out into the field to carry to them the light of the truth of God for these last days. Who shall say, then, that the canvassing work should stop? Nay, rather let it go with greater power.GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.5

I believe that plans should be laid in District 1, and in all the field, to push forward the canvass for our large subscription books. I believe, too, that it is the providence of God that is bringing into the field smaller books, laden with bright gems of light and truth, in a very attractive form, yet low in price, so that the very poorest may obtain them. Plans should be laid to get these out by the thousand. Let the gospel go to the poor and lowly of earth’s sons and daughters; many may accept and become the sons and daughters of the “Lord Almighty.”GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.6

I believe another move is being made in the right direction, — the canvass for, and the sale of, the Review and Herald, and others of our periodicals. This is being tried in some places in District No. 1, and in other places with good results. Plans to push this enterprise, especially in our large cities, will meet with good results. God will bless his work in the hands of those who will become his willing agents to spread the light of his word abroad in the earth. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”GCB February 8, 1895, page 61.7