For those very respectable speakers of the old school who go to a town
only when sent for and speak only at meetings properly advertised and
pre-arranged, who are blessed with a goodly supply of that eminently
obstructive article, the chief burden on every popular movement,
commonly called dignity, there is no advice needed as to methods of
travel. For such well regulated exponents of bimetallism and reform
about the only advice that can be given is "be sure that your car fare
is sent to you before boarding the train."
But to another class of speakers, those who make up the rank and file
of Democracy's Volunteers, those whose purpose and power of will are
such that no obstacles, no stumbling blocks, no hardships can embitter
or delay, those in whom the fire of enthusiasm for humanity has burned
up their dignity and who in starting out do not ask whether they have
means to go respectably and comfortably and quickly or not, but one
question presents itself, namely, "Can I get to my destination in time
to deliver my message?" The methods used by such will be various.
When we have the money to buy railway tickets and when cars go at the
proper hour, we will travel by rail. Otherwise we will drive when we
can conveniently secure a horse and vehicle, or we will gladly mount
the saddle or a wheel. But when car tickets, carriages, saddle horses
and bicycles are alike impossible, the man fighting for principle will
rise superior to his dignity and dependence upon small comforts and
taking a bundle of literature and a small bag will, before starting,
ask himself only, "Are my shoes good?"
EXPERIENCE FAVORS TRAVELING TWO BY TWO.
The early Christian disciples went out preaching the gospel by twos.
Throughout history and in the experience of those living, it has
been found that the will and intensity of purpose of the average man
is better preserved and that he more easily overcomes obstacles,
troubles and disappointments if in traveling among strangers he has
companionship. Therefore although, at times the Volunteers may travel
as individuals, lonely and homesick, still, wherever it is practicable,
we advise our speakers to travel by twos. It is much easier to walk
five, ten, twenty, or even forty miles in a day, from one town to
another with a companion. Not only is loneliness overcome, but two
speaker and workers have more than twice the influence upon a community
that either would exert separately. Besides it is safer, and, in case
of sickness or accident, there is some one to go for help or to "tell
the story."
AFTER ENROLLING.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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