Cities Task Force 4- Literature Evangelism Summary statements A.

There is a work to be done by canvassers in our cities that has not yet been done 1 B. There will be canvassing work done till probation closes 2 C. Literature is to be brought before the people by selling periodicals, books, papers 3,4,8 D. Companies that are organized for city work should include LE 5 E. They are to work two by two 5 F. Conference presidents to open the doors for students to enter this line of work 5 G. Young men and young women called to this work 3,5,10 H. They are to be mentored by more experienced workers 5 I. Consecrated laymen with the knowledge of truth 6 J. Canvassers are also called to be medical missionaries that are trained 7 K. Educational tool 10 L. Used as training for ministry 11 References 1. The destroying angels are today executing their commission. Death will come in all places. This is why I am so anxious for our cities to be warned. There is a work to be done by canvassing in our cities that has not yet been done. {PM 281.1} 2. As long as probation continues, there will be opportunity for the canvasser to work. When the religious denominations unite with the papacy to oppress God's people, places where there is religious freedom will be opened by evangelistic canvassing. If in one place the persecution becomes severe, let the workers do as Christ has directed. "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." If persecution comes there, go to still another place. God will lead His people, making them a blessing in many places. Were it not for persecution they would not be so widely scattered abroad to proclaim the truth. And Christ declares: "Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come." Matthew 10:23. Until in heaven is spoken the word, "It is finished," there will always be places for labor, and hearts to receive the message.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 478. (1900) {CM 11.2} 3. Books containing the precious light of present truth are lying on the shelves of our publishing houses. These should be circulated. Canvassers are needed who will enter our large cities with these books. As they go from house to house, they will find souls who are hungry for the bread of life, to whom they can speak words in season. Canvassers are needed who feel a burden for souls. You may say, "I am not a minister. I cannot preach to the people." No, you may not be able to preach; but you can minister, you can ask those you meet if they love the Lord Jesus. You can be an evangelist. You can be God's helping hand, working as did the disciples when Christ sent them forth. Young men, young women, you are called by the Master to take up His work. There is a famine in the land for the pure gospel.--Manuscript 113, 1901. {CM 23.2}

4. There are many who can help in the work of selling our periodicals. The Lord calls upon all of us to seek to save perishing souls. Satan is at work to deceive the very elect, and now is our time to work with vigilance. Our books and papers are to be brought before the notice of the people. Without delay the gospel of present truth is to be given to our cities. Shall we not arouse to our duties? All who consecrate themselves to God to work as canvassers, are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world. They are the Lord's messengers, giving to multitudes in darkness and error the glad tidings of salvation. {MC 75.1} 5. Cannot our conference presidents open the way for the students in our schools to engage in this line of labor? Again and again it has been presented to me that "there should be companies organized and educated most thoroughly to work as nurses, as evangelists, as ministers, as canvassers, as gospel students, to perfect a character after the divine similitude." There is a grand work to be done in relieving suffering humanity, and through the labors of students who are receiving an education and training to become efficient medical missionaries the people living in many cities may become acquainted with the truths of the third angel's message. Consecrated leaders and teachers of experience should go out with these young workers at first, giving them instruction how to labor. When favors of food are offered by those who fear and honor God, these favors may be accepted. Thus opportunity will be found for conversation, for explaining the Scriptures, for singing Bible songs and praying with the family. There are many to whom such labor as this would prove a blessing. {CH 541.4} 6. From the light that God has given me, I know that His cause today is in great need of the living representatives of Bible truth. The ordained ministers alone are not equal to the task. God is calling not only upon the ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, canvassers, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of present truth, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. There should be one hundred believers actively engaged in personal missionary work where now there is but one. Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before satanic opposition shall close up the way. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved.--R.H., April 7, 1910. {MM 248.4} 7. It is medical missionaries that are needed all through the field. Canvassers should improve every opportunity granted them to learn how to treat disease. Physicians should remember that they will often be required to perform the duties of a minister. Medical missionaries come under the head of evangelists. The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone. The Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His disciples two and two into all the cities of Israel. He gave them the commission, "Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." {MM 249.2} 8. Remind our people often of the work that may be done by the sale of our books and the distribution of tracts. Encourage them to sell the periodicals containing the message for this time. Our large books can be sold in Washington and other cities in the East if the canvassers will take up the work courageously.--Lt 21, 1905. {PM 211.

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The importance of the canvassing work is kept ever before me. This work has not of late had the spirit and life infused into it that were once given by the leading agents who made it a specialty. Canvassers have been called from their evangelistic work for the people in townships and cities to engage in other work. This is not as it should be. Our canvassers, if truly converted and consecrated, can gain access to hearts and homes, and place the truth before a large class of people. {RH, January 22, 1901 par. 1} 10. The very best education young men can obtain is by entering the canvassing field and working from house to house. In this work they will find opportunity to speak the words of life. Thus they will sow the seeds of truth. Let young men show that they have resting on them a burden from the Lord. The only way for them to prove that they can stand firm in God, having on the whole armor, is by doing faithfully the work God has given them to do. Let them enter towns and cities as canvassers, not for mere story books, but for books that contain a message that gives a certain sound, books which present the truth for this time. These workers are to obtain their experience from the word of God. They are to be taught of God out of His word. Let not a spirit of Phariseeism be manifested in seeking to lead these men to walk in the shadow of any other man. We need men taught by God, not men who can work only according to certain prescribed rules. No sermon is to be mapped out for them to preach where they go. If God is leading them, they must depend on his Spirit to teach them. {SW, January 29, 1901 par. 3} 11. One of the very best ways in which young men can obtain a fitness for the ministry is by entering the canvassing field. Let them go into towns and cities as canvassers for the books that contain the truth for this time. In this work they will find opportunity to speak words of life. The seed of truth they sow will spring up to bear fruit.When young men take up the canvassing work filled with an intense longing to save their fellow-men, they will see souls converted. From their work a harvest for the Lord will be reaped. Then let them go forth as missionaries to circulate present truth, praying constantly for increased light and knowledge, that they may know how to speak words in season to those that are weary. They should improve every opportunity for doing a deed of kindness, remembering that thus they are doing errands for the Lord. They will be invited to take meals with the families they visit. Flesh-meat will be passed to them. As they refuse it, giving their reasons for so doing, they will perhaps have opportunity to present the principles of health reform. In their work they should always take some health books with them; for health reform is the right hand of the message.The canvasser should speak modestly, and he should never engage in controversy. He should feel that he is on trial before the heavenly universe. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves," Christ said; "be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves." You will meet many precious souls ripe for the harvest. Learn therefore to speak modestly and discreetly. Show that you have been with Jesus and have learned of him. This is the rule we are to follow,--to be like him who went about doing good. Christ said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me." By studying the life of the Saviour, find out how he lived and worked. Strive each day to live his life. Wear his yoke, and learn his meekness and lowliness, walking in the path that leads heavenward. {SW, January 15, 1903 par. 7}

12. You can do a smaller work. And if you do that smaller work with fidelity, you are fitting for greater responsibilities and God will entrust to you larger work. Here are men who can take hold of the larger part of the work in bearing the burdens, in teaching the truth, while others are fitted for canvassing. I have thought how great a work might be done through canvassing, in reaching hearts and dropping the seed of truth. Almost anyone with an intelligent mind can make his labors acceptable, and if self is hid in Jesus Christ, he can spread the knowledge of the truth of God among his neighbors and into those large cities that have never yet been entered, for Christ will work with his efforts. It is because the lay members do not do the work they ought to do that they feel so weak. {2SAT 12.3} 13. We are living in a time when a great work is to be done. There is a famine in the land for the pure gospel, and the bread of life is to be given to hungry souls. There is no better opportunity to do this work than that offered to the consecrated canvasser. Thousands of books containing the precious light of present truth should be placed in the homes of the people in our large cities.--Southern Watchman, Nov. 20, 1902. {ChS 152.1}