[1881 ALS Recruiting a Canvassing Agent for The Christian Union, Edited by Henry Ward Beecher and Lyman Abbott].

Interesting letter laying out the work load expectations and rewards for canvassing for a religious and reform newspaper

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Lengthy letter by William Garretson, Manager of Circulation for the religious and reform newspaper, The Christian Union. Garrettson here recruits Solomon Snyder as a canvasser or subscription agent.

The newspaper, founded in 1870, was edited by clergyman, social reformer, and orator Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887). In 1881, the year of Garretson’s letter, theologian and author Lyman Abbot (1835–1922) became editor and chief.

Perhaps at Abbot’s instigation to increase circulation, Garretson writes to Snyder from the newspaper’s Philadelphia branch office. Garrestson’s letter is a sustained, systematic recruiting of Snyder:

You have been named to me as a person well qualified for our “Christian Union” work. We shall have some better positions, but I want you to begin by canvassing. ... As canvassing is generally conducted, I would not want you to do it. But, our work is different; preparation for it is different; compensation is different. You are a part of us; & go out to represent us; to heed us—simply to go through the routine that we prescribe, & which only good men are competent of doing. (p[1])

Snyder is asked not to make a decision until he has come to Philadelphia and heard their offer in person. It will cost Snyder about $4 for a week’s expenses, but it is worth the risk: “Some men drift into positions; but to select a work intelligently involves some trouble and expense; & invariably the end justifies the means.”

Garrtetson next lays out a realistic expectation for Snyder:

We cannot state definitely what salary we can pay you until we see you; but, any earnest young man who can do this work at all, can save—lay by—from $500.00 to $700.00 or $800.00 per year (above all expenses) after he gets well started (& some, do even considerably better than this); & he need not work, on average, exceeding five days a week; & he need not canvass exceeding 44 weeks in the year; then his deliveries will require a few weeks; & he will have a few weeks for vacation. (pp[3–4])

He assures Snyder that the work does not need to invest any capital, that the position“commands respect,” and has already attracted “...several of the very best of the [college] graduates.” The market potential too is great:

The Christian Union is undertaking to reach every part of this land. Out of 11,000,000 families, nine & a millions [sic], or more, have no religious newspaper whatever. This is the market. (pp[3–4])

The newspaper’s editorial program is solid and they need Snyder to come work for them: “Our first choice is you.” Garretson writes:

It is the purpose of the Christian Union to have in its columns the united wisdom of the very best & ablest men & women in the world, those who realize the importance of filling this vast market with the proper reading matter.

Over 50 editorial writers are listed on the letterhead of The Christian Union including Noah Porter and Timothy Dwight of Yale; novelist E.P. Roe; Phillips Brooks of Boston; and historian and author Benson J. Lossing.

Seven women contributors are listed at the end and include Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher; Mrs. Lyman Abbott; cookery educator and cookbook author, Juliet Corson; and co-founder of St. Nicholas magazine, Emily Huntington Miller.

Interesting letter laying out the work load expectations and rewards for canvassing for a late 19th century religious and reform periodical.

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