22
One lady called on her neighbors. To het
next door neighbor, she said, “We have
talked over the fence many times, but I have
never called at your home to visit you. My
mission this morning, you may feel, is rather
an odd one, but I have come to tell you
of the wondetful work that Seventh-day
Adventists are doing around the world. Here
is a little pamphlet that tells of our work.”
After explaining this and the participation
of each of our members she asked that her
neighbor place her name at the top of the
donor's list. She followed this plan with all
the folk in the block and received approxi-
mately $25 for the day's solicitation. Have
you ever systematically solicited your neigh-
bothood? If not, then try it.
One isolated member living in a western
THE CHURCH OFFICERS GAZETTE
section accepted the invitation to work in
his neighborhood. The first person he called
on—to his amazement—gave him $25.
After the day's soliciting he had over $100.
We appeal to every member to give of
his talents in whatever way he can approach
the public. Learn your canvass, study yout
"© Ingathering magazine, be thrilled over the
way the work is going around the world and
the nearness of Jesus’ soon coming: then you
cannot but go out and appeal to your neigh-
bots and friends to help us in the final con-
flict with the adversary. With a detailed
organization and every member working in
a short and snappy campaign, you will ac-
complish greater things for your Saviour in
1950.
—DON R. REES.
How Ingathering Is Done
in China
The methods used in the Ingathering
wotk in China, and probably in other mis-
sion fields as well, are not necessarily the
same as these used in the homeland. They
must be adapted to the customs of the people
where one is laboring. Having spent the
larger patt of my life in China I can best
mention those methods found successful in
the land of my adoption. Thorough and
careful preparation is a prerequisite in any
field.
The latge offerings here are usually re-
ceived from government officials and execu-
tives of large firms and banks. Ir is not
easy to contact such men, for they are con-
stantly being approached for donations to
help charitable organizations—some worthy,
some not so worthy. There are many people
who make it a business to live without
working, and such make it difficult for others
to receive donations for worthy projects.
It means much to know how to get in to
see the prospect, It is most essential to know
his name. If it is new tetritory, from which
no tecord has been made, the names and
addresses of officials and firms can be seo-
cuted from an up-to-date business directory
or telephone book. A list of the names of
donating firms or officials, their addresses,
the amount given, and the name of the so-
ficitor is kept in the local mission office, and
a copy is sent to the division Home Mission-
ary secretary. After these lists ate received,
a letter of appreciation is sent to each donor
from the division office. This does much to
bring confidence to those who contribute
and often results in larger donations the fol-
lowing yeat. The list left in the local mis-
sion office is used the following year for
reference in making the contacts for that
year.
The matetials used in the Ingatheting
campaign consist of the following:
1. Name Cards. Unless it is an old ac-
quaintance, one cannot seclte an interview
unless he first sends in his name card by a
gate man or secretary. On the name card
there is space for the prospective donot’s
address, phone number, name of the organi-
zation he represents, and his position. Some
have felt it best in the past not to put the
name of a religious organization on their
name cards when soliciting, but by later
experience we find in most cases it is an
advantage rather than a disadvantage.
2. Ingathering Papers. For our work in
Chinese they ate printed at our publishing
house in Shanghai. The medical, educational,
and relief work is stressed; for there is little
prejudice against giving donations for such
lines of work. Large clear-cut pictutes show-
ing institutions and activities help get atten-
tion. During the short time taken by the
canvass, it is not possible to read any printed
material. But for those who take time later
to look through the report, a few articles
are included explaining what was accom-
plished during the previous year, the pur-
pose of our medical, educational, and other
fines of uplift work, and our ‘needs for the
current year. Also included is an article on
our message. This year an announcement of
the Bible Correspondence School has been
included with an enrollment blank.
3. Signature Book. Experience has taught
us that loose-leaf signature books are the
Aptil, 1950
most successful, At the beginning of the
campaign we call on a few prospects who
know our work and who yearly contribute
substantial sums. Their signatures are then
photographed and sent out to those leading
in the campaign in the unions and local
missions. These signature sheets are put into
their books as a guide for their prospects
to follow when they sign for their contri-
butions. It is not customary for a donor
to sign for more than the amount listed for
the last donot in the book. If he should sign
for a small amount, which they often do, the
loose-leaf arrangement permits it to be
taken out so as not to influence the next
prospect to sign for a small amount. 1 per-
sonally carry at least two signature books
with me, one for large amounts and the
other for smaller sums, If I know the finan-
cial status of my prospect, I show him the
book containing amounts compatable to
what I feel he will be willing to give. The
power of suggestion means much in detet-
mining the amount received in the Otient.
4. Receipt Book. For many years a stand-
atd bilingual receipt book has been pre-
pared by the China Division for the In-
gathering campaign. We feel it an advantage
to use the same form each year, as it is rec-
ognized as being our mission's official re-
ceipt, To save time and not have to return
later to collect the donation we, as soon as
the donor begins to sign for his donation,
take out the receipt book and begin to fill it
in, He immediately recognizes it as our
receipt and prepares to pay immediately.
Always it must be remembered that no
method will prove a success unless the Holy
Spirit is present to bless in each contact
made. Much prayer mingled with tried
methods will greatly increase the amount
received and result in mote souls saved in
God's kingdom,
—GEORGE J. APPEL,
Angels Are Waiting
“Thousands upon thousands, and ten
thousand times ten thousand angels are
waiting to co-operate with members of
our churches in communicating the light
that God has so genetously given, that a
people may be prepared for the coming
of Christ." —Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 129.
“The message is first to be given ‘in the
highways, —to men who have an active
part in the world’s work, to the teachers
and leaders of the people, Let the Lord's
messengers bear this in mind. To the
shepherds of the flock, the teachers divinely
appointed, it should come as a word to be
heeded. Those who belong to the higher
ranks of society are to be sought out with
tender affection and brotherly regard. Men
in business life, in high positions of trust,
men with large inventive faculties and
scientific insight, men of genius, teachers