January 1, 1936

The Motive of Service

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did not neglect the physical needs of those to whom he ministered, but he fed them for three days on spiritual food before he gave attention to their stomach.

It is so now. There is a famine in the land, not a famine for bread and water, but for hearing the word of the Lord; and our hearts should go out with compassion for those who need the help which we can give, and which was given to us, as a gift from God, so that we might pass it on to others.

Moreover, realizing, as every active worker can plainly see, that the work is exceedingly great and the real workers very few, we should pray the Lord of the harvest that he will more and more stir up his people to go forth and do the work for which he has been training them. Book-selling in the eyes of the world is ignoble; but the placing of the truth literature in the hands of the people is,in the sight of God our Father, and in the eyes of our Lord Jesus, and in the eyes of the holy angels, the grandest work in which we could be engaged.

For a thousand years in the future we are hoping to be used to bless the human family. During that time we hope to have an earnest, energetic, industrious part in placing the image of God in the heart of every human being who is willing that "it should repose there. True, it is God that will take away the stony heart out of their flesh and give them an heart of flesh, but he will use The Christ to do that great work.

And now as we see the work which The Christ is to do, what joy is ours to see that we may have a hand in that work now, and in a sense in which that was never before possible 1 It has always been true that God’s people could so live and so teach the truth by word and example that others, seeing their good works, should glorify our Father in heaven in their day of visitation; but the present time is the dawn of their very day of visitation itself.

We may be sure that there are millions of people now living who have heard, and understood something of the message of present truth. Kone of that work has been lost. It has been like bread sown upon the waters. In due time it will be food for the needy.

“Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

What thrilling stories revolve about the efforts of services rendered by colporteurs in very recent years! There is, for instance, the story of the weary colporteur, near sunset, at the close of a day peculiarly filled with rebuffs and disappointments, who saw as the last house in his territory a dwelling nearly a half mile away. He was inclined to omit a visit to it, because it lyould be out of his way, and it might mean only an added burden to a day already well filled with them.

But the brother was moved with compassion. He wanted to bring to others the comfort that had come to his own heart; and so, after debating the matter for an instant, he set off, trudging along down the road, determined to take joyfully whatever portion the Lord might place in his cup.

The brother visited the home and told his story as only those can tell, it whose hearts arc bubbling over with the joy which comes from the never-failing Fountain of Life. When he had finished, the,lone occupant of the house, a woman, said to him, "Stranger, the Lord sent you t<> my door. When you came to me I was so crushed with sorrow and woe that 1 had determined that this day should be my last. This night I would certainly have taken my life had you not come to me and implanted within my heart renewed assurances that God docs really care, . and that at some time this tangled web of life will all be straightened out.”

Who shall say that that brother was not fully rewarded that very day for all he had suffered in Christ’s name and for his sake? But yet, the best of it is that his reward will go on and on; for others to whom he ministered that same day will at sometime remember with joy the message that he told. And who shall say that he may not at soma time have the joy of seeing some of those to whom

most oMBK, or perhaps is < all of 'them, bring their all and lay it at the Master’s feet in loving, joyful submission to B......his.....will?- _s»            ........

To be moved with compassion for the poor av?q|i'S|®r tears, and ^:S"' to do what we can to accomplish that end in the here and now to be filled with the w Master’s spirit; and the doing of his will is to Ippare ourselves for swe^t fdlowship with continued in eternity.

METHODS OF WORK

The year 1926 unveils to every worker, we are sure, wonderful opportunities of witnessing for the Lord’s kingdom. As a message in season comes his admonition to raise a standard for the people. But what 1926 will actually produce depends greatly •upon the plans made to take advantage of the opportunities to witness; and it is not too soon to begin to plan to make 1926 the - greatest year of witnessing for the truth, the year that will find the message in a greater number of homes than has any past year.

The first three months of the year do not present very favorable weather for working, but this season should present the opportune time for perfecting plans that will make the ' most of the favorable season beginning with April. We urge frequent meeting of the for the purpose of discussing meth-odstof work, methods of canvassing. These meeting we recommend to he entirely method meetings rather than-meetings that will tell of experiences in the work. As April presents more favorable weather and thus opens the Wsy for a larger number to enter Siffi service St will find those who can engage in the work better equipped because of the .. meeting for discussion that they have enjoyed and taken part in.

In comparing-;t@iT records of past yeste dt IliiiBess.jduidbihat the spring: usually al-engage in the service than were in the work during the winter months; that August and Sep

tember allow about 3M ^dition<^:is>jfkcrs to engage in the service, and that during these months the greatest number of workers is. in the field. Each worker probably knows how he is situated to engage in the worKs&nd what           the year is._: the

tune for him to devote his time to field service. But what is important at the beginning of 1926 is that each worker, appreciating this, will plan far enough in advance to become acquainted with the methods of work, toe canvass, and the conditions in the field so that the time spent in the service will enable him to reap the greatest possible results.

Conditions, seem to warrant the forecast that 1926 will find a great increase in the number of homes in which literature can be placed. Our observation of the people of the United States is that during times of prosperity they are more inclined to purchase our literature than during times of depression. There seems to be a disposition .among the people of this country to want assurance that their present joy and happiness and contentment is stable; and while they are enjoying better times they are more apt to believe and accept information that still better times are. in the offing, Throughout Europe the literature sells during times of depression mainly because the people are more concerned with understanding why conditions exist as they are; while ift the United States the people wish to he assured that better times are still in prospect. Hence, since the general trend of times through 1926 is toward prosperity, we believe that you will find the people more ready to accept your message, and that especially you will find & greater field for placing the Eight Volumes in the homes of the people.

During 1923, ’24 and ’25 we have urged the canvassing for the sets of Studies in ths Sckiptuos ; particularly since® 24 baa it been ad^ated        Eight OiOes-'

be canvasseMbr at $2.85, We urge tfiMBrk-. era to make a campaign during 1926 of the Eight Volumes. Present to the people tha message of the Eight Volumes rather than that of a single book or a booklet. Let. the people understand that the plan of God’s Wortrig covered exhaustively by I. B. S. A. publications. We believe that you will find it no more difficult to present the message of the truth and to demonstrate the Eight Volumes than you would to present the message of the truth and demonstrate a booklet or the Harp Bible Study Course. Then if they do purchase but a booklet they will not read it as merely a treatise on present-day conditions; rather they will read it to a sample of the larger offer that was brought to their attention. And the booklet or bound volume which vcu have left with them will provide them with the argument that they need, that is, an argument that will convince them that the Eight Volumes are necessary for their home; and your next call with the Eight Volumes will produce a larger number of sales than the first canvass. An additional advantage' in offering the people the Eight Volumes and making a. consistent campaign, or canvass with these volumes is that you bring to their attention the scope of the work of the I. B. S. A., and for the most part you have presented a new proposition to them.

We have, in outlining the work to directors for 1836, urged them to attempt to canvass that section of their assignment that is known as isolated and near-by territory twice during the summer months instead of just once. This territory being inaccessible the larger part of the year, should, we believe, be' given more attention during the period that it is accessible than the neighborhood or local territory that can he reached with handbills, advertising material, and canvassing parties that can devote but two or three hours of work per week. This is a diversion from the general outline of campaign of past years, but it recommends itself because of the results attained by a few classes that have made experiments in can-vaaring territory every three months. It has been demonstrated that the second canvass always produces more sales than thu_:lllfi||| canvass. Hence, since your second canyOil|| will be within a period of three months’ tiB||||| to people who at your first call purehto||||| only a booklet or the Harp Bible STfW||| Course, you will, we are quite sure, fin||i||| greater demand for the Eight Volumes,

IVh&ke to CWporfcar® W

We begin our colporteur sales records ^0111 at the first of January each year; thef®^||| we desire all colporteurs to begin the year 1936 with new totals off their report card®, b Please consider this and do not cany over the 1935 totals when making out your cards 1' for thb new year.                             ^!>

The year 1926 should prove to be a great year of witnessing. We trust that the stau-dard will be so raised for the people thaSVg they will come to a greater appreciation of-V God’s wonderful plan and to a better com- l: prehension of the blessings in store for man- A kind because of the efforts that you have put ^: forth ; for you have planned for the sendee, and in your planning sought not only to make a drive day notable or one week notable, but to make the entire year an outstanding one. As you go forth as the standard bearers of the Lord you are assured of the promised strength and grace and as-kl sistance in every time of need; and whenfl obstacles seem to block your path for service,H when difficulties seem almost unsurmouiit- . ■; able, we trust that, you will lay hold upon his promise of strength and grace in such times of need, and surmount the difficulties, sweeping aside every obstacle that would hinder the wide spread of the message. Be assured of an interest in our prayers ns you valiantly go forth in the strength of the . Lord, raising the standard for the people, ■

With Christian greetings, we are 1 i Your brethren and servants in the Lord,

Watch Tower Bible <£■ TmH ■' '

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