What should be scattered? It is literature that presents the everlasting gospel and the unique, urgent, and final messages God is giving to the last inhabitants of the earth. It should be intensely interesting while at the same time containing real messages of truth.

Specific Objectives of Our Literature—Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. It was designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world, and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives, and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world; and in the accomplishment of this work our publishing houses are among the most effective agencies…. (CW 178.1).

• Every church member (CEv 41.2)
• Young men and women (CM 57.1)
• Evangelists (CM 45.1)
• Colporteurs (BEcho September 18, 1899, Art. A, par. 6)

God does not call everyone to be full-time literature evangelists. God needs people in other important lines of work, also. We may conclude two points: 1) that every church member should be involved in literature ministry, and 2) that God does call some people to full-time literature ministry.

A grand work is being done by those who handle the press. The sheets that come from the groaning press to be prepared as tracts and bound up in books, are to go forth to visit all the places of the earth. There should be canvassers who will do faithful service in this work. When the Lord's voice calls, “Whom shall we send? and who will go for us,” the divine Spirit puts it into the hearts of men and women to answer, “Here am I; send me.” But bear in mind that the live coal from the altar must first touch your lips and cleanse you from all impurity. Then the words you speak will be wise and holy words. The Lord would have many take a part in this grand work who are consecrated, whose hearts are humble, and who are willing to engage in any line of work that demands their service. All are not to be canvassers, for then there would be no printers, editors, or managers. And if all were printers, there would be no canvassers. God will fit every one for the work who will seek to follow Him. If those who take up the canvassing work are thoroughly converted, they will reflect light, and do honour to God by speaking a word in season to those who are willing to hear. (BEcho September 18, 1899, Art. A, par. 6).

• Like leaves of autumn (CM 5.2)
• In every country and in every clime (CM 5.2)
• From city to city (CM 5.3)
• On lines of transport (bus, airplane, etc)
• In all the world (CM 5.3)
• To all the dark corners of the earth (IR September 16, 1903, par. 7)
• Repeatedly in the same place

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. (Matthew 22:9)

People come and go, but literature remains.

The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:7-8)

The canvassing work is an important field of labor, and will do much towards carrying the gospel to all the dark corners of the earth. The intelligent, God-fearing, truth-loving canvasser should be respected; for he occupies a position equal to that of the gospel minister. (IR September 16, 1903, par. 7).

Residence work, in which the colporteur goes over the same territory time and again, was recommended by several speakers, and interesting experiences were related, emphasizing the fact that this class of work is not only the best follow-up system so far as soul saving is concerned, but is equally satisfactory from a book selling standpoint. (GCB 318.15).

“These small tracts of four, eight, or sixteen pages, can be furnished for a trifle, from a fund raised by the donations of those who have the cause at heart. When you write to a friend you can enclose one or more without increasing postage. When in conversation with persons in the cars, on the boat, or in the stage, who seem to have an ear to hear, you can hand them out. They should not be promiscuously scattered at present like the autumn leaves, but judiciously and freely handed to those who would be likely to prize them. This will be advertising our publications, and the Publishing Association, in a manner that will result in much good.” (T12 75.1).

• It advertises our publications (T12 75.1)
• It will result in much good (T12 75.1)

Literature should be made cheap and abundant so that anybody can afford it.

“In addition to our large and more expensive literature, such as Protestant, Liberty, “State Papers,” and other books and pamphlets, we should have a series of appropriate small tracts which could be sold to our people very cheap—tracts that can be scattered like the autumn leaves, at a cost to our people that will be so small they cannot resist the temptation to buy them for free circulation. We have felt this need for years, and a number of times have resolved to provide it; but it has not yet appeared. Now, its need being so apparent, and the ways and means for its production having been more particularly worked cut, we hope this general council will provide for its early appearance. “This literature is to be cheap only in price. It should not carry the publishing house and tract society commissions. It should go from the press to the people at the actual cost of production, or less. Our publishing houses and tract societies can well afford to make this line of literature a truly missionary work; for it will not only hold the ‘four winds’ for a season, but will do more in creating a demand for other literature than any other one thing we now know of. With a good assortment of cheap literature, it will be a comparatively small task to organize our people for its circulation. A steady stream can be flowing out at all times, and on special occasions it may be put out in large quantities. (GCB 319.10).

Scattering literature is a way to reach many people who would otherwise not hear the truth. During this stage, we may not see much fruit because this is the seed-planting stage. The fruit will surely come later.

Successful Soul-Saving Ministry—The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; but many who are hungry for the bread of life have not the privilege of hearing the word from God's delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that our publications be widely circulated. Thus the message will go where the living preacher cannot go, and the attention of many will be called to the important events connected with the closing scenes of this world's history. (CM 6.1).

Scattering literature like the leaves of autumn does not necessarily mean to literally sprinkle tracts around wherever we go. (T12 75.1) We are not called to litter. We should try to place the literature into the hands of the people who will value it and read it, if possible. This work should be done with much prayer. What should we pray for?

• In an organized and efficient manner; form companies to work sections and districts thoroughly. (GCB 251.1)
• Pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit
• Pray that God gives you an intense desire for saving souls
• Pray that God prepares people's hearts in advance before you meet them
• Pray that God sends the angels and the Holy Spirit to convict hearts
• Pray that God gives you discernment

“There is a great work to be done, and this is one of the grandest agencies through which it must be developed. There is no need of our book work shrinking as it has. It ought to be doubled and quadrupled. We must therefore keep all the old agencies and forces good, and while we keep these forces good, we must also keep good a force of men who are traveling all over the field. We must also organize companies that will take charge of sections and districts, and work faithfully and thoroughly to prepare a people to meet the coming of our Lord.” (GCB 251.1).

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…. In their work they should always take some health books with them; for health reform is the right hand of the message. (ChS 153.1).

With literature distribution, we should learn how to incorporate other elements such as:

• Medical ministry
• Deeds of kindness
• Encouraging words
• Prayer

These actions can soften the hearts of the people and prepare them to more readily accept the words of truth.

No Higher Work—There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing, for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties. Those who engage in this work need always to be under the control of the Spirit of God. There must be no exalting of self. What have any of us that we did not receive from Christ? We must love as brethren, revealing our love by helping one another. We must be pitiful and courteous. We must press together, drawing in even cords. Only those who live the prayer of Christ, working it out in practical life, will stand the test that is to come upon all the world. Those who exalt self place themselves in Satan's power, preparing to receive his deceptions. The word of the Lord to His people is that we lift the standard higher and still higher. If we obey His voice, He will work with us, and our efforts will be crowned with success. In our work we shall receive rich blessings from on high and shall lay up treasure beside the throne of God. (CM 12.1).

Medical missionary work is often the opening wedge. Consider the needs of the community. Consider starting the work with distributing health-related literature.

The canvassing work, properly carried on, is missionary work of the highest order, and is as good and successful a work as can be done in placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; but there are many who, though hungry for the bread of life, have not the privilege of hearing the truth from the lips of God's delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that the publications containing these important matters be placed before the people, that the truth given us of God may go where the living preacher cannot go. In this way the attention of many will be called to the important events which are to occur in the closing scenes of this world's history. God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light which is contained in these books, and canvassers should have impressed upon them the fact that the work of bringing before the world as fast as possible the books which are necessary for their spiritual education and enlightenment is the very work the Lord would have them to do at this time. We cannot too highly estimate this work; for were it not for the work of the canvasser, many would never hear the truth. (AUCR April 1, 1901, par. 1).