Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-29
Instructions to Colporteurs.

The object of the system of Colportage of
the G. d. of n. c.. is ultimately to reach eve-
ry family in the State with approved tenn
perance publications. In carrying out these
views we expect you to adhere as closely as
possible to the following instructions;
/. In entering upon your field of labor, it
is proper that you should, if possible, secure
the cordial cooperation of ministers of the
gospel and friends of the cause, generally
A recommendation of the pastor of the church
on the Sabbath may greatly facilitate your
operations or if it should be deemed expe
dent, you might make a short statement
yourself, illustrating the excellency of your
books, the Importance of your work, and the
magnitude of the evil which you are labor
ing to arrest. Such addresses should be tho
roughly prepared.
2. Your work will require you to go from
house to house, and you should not fail to
visit every accessible family. Let your in
tercourse be marked by a kind and c~oncilia-
tory disposition. This will often disarm op-
position and give effect to your ~counsels and
admonitions and predispose toa candid peru
sal of the books and tracts you may leave
with them.
3. In order to your success, it is of great
Importance that you should make yourself
acquainted with the character of the books
and tracts, so that you may make a judicious
distribution.
4. In going out as a Colporteur, you are
not to regard yourself as a mere vender of
books, or distributor of tracts. This, it is
true, is an important part of your work and
your books and tracts, it is hoped, will do
good long after your labors are over. We
would have you to consider yourself a tenn
Oarapna vnicciOparv opd ~ lohor aorDocflu IN
advance the great temperance reformation,
and gather into the temperance fold all over
whom you can exert any influence. Where
ever = Division of the Sons of Temperance
can be organized, or a Division that has for
feited its charter can be revived, or the luke
warm encouraged, you will be expected to
do everything in your power to accomplish
such an object. And either in person or
through the agency Of others, have such steps
taken as will give permanent results to your
labors. 1t is desirable that you, if compe.
tent, combine the Colporteur with the lectur-
er and call the people together to listen to ad.
dresses upon the subject of temperance.
5. The Tracts are furnished for gratuitous
distribution the books you will sell at the
price marked. In the exercise Of a wise dis.
erection you may occasionally give a book
, where you cannot sell and have a reasonable
, prospect Of accomplishing good by such do
/, nation.
6. For the books and tracts furnished, you
will be responsible. Those not disposed of
will be returned to the Depository from which
) you received them, with an accurate accoun
of the number of books and tracts sold O
distributed.
z. You will be expected, without fail, t.
, transmit to the Chairman of the Committe
; of Colportage, a monthly report of all you
: operations. In a letter accompanying thi
report, any incidents or statistics which yor
may think interesting should also be added
s. In prosecuting your work, you ma
sometimes meet with benevolent persons VIII
would feel il a privilege to contribute of thei
: means to sustain these important operations
OF such contributions you will make a men
d orandum, and transmit them with your RI
port, together with the name of the done
and his Post-ofice address.
n o. As the Esprit of the Age" is the ten
e perance Organ of our State, secure for it
: many subscribers as possible. The price fl
single subscribers is $3.50; for clubs 81
Z Brother German will allow for each of tt
IN former 90 cents but the latter being as To-
: as the publication can be afforded for, wi
!; not justify any per centage on 81 subscriber
10. Inawork requiring you to go from houI
m to house, and to encounter almost every val