p. 267 | OUR PERIODICALS by Maria L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 17

OUR PERIODICALS.

By Maria L. Huntley

BY MARIA L. HUNTLEY.

Those only who had an experience in the early history of this cause can readily appreciate the value of our periodicals as auxiliaries in the missionary enterprise. Should the tract societies, at the present time, be deprived of this means of carrying forward the work, it would be to them like a paralytic shock, taking away their strength and activity. There is no way in which missionary workers can as easily secure the attention and interest of persons to the truths which we advocate as by appropriate and attractive periodicals. Our weekly and monthly issues are not confined to doctrinal, or even religious, subjects; and the breadth and variety of thought which they suggest make them especially applicable to the tastes and wants of the reading public. To those who labor in the missionary department of the work, God has given an inestimable gift in these periodicals, and we should remember that where much is given, much will be required. The question whether they are duly appreciated and sustained by the tract societies is one worthy of the consideration of each member. To properly discharge this obligation which is resting upon these societies requires, (1.) That each society should act as agent in securing the subscriptions and renewals of its members, and in providing for the worthy poor, who are unable to subscribe; (2.) That through canvassers, colporters, and its individual members, a large number of full-paying subscribers should be secured each quarter, outside of S. D. Adventists; and (3.) That its officers transact the business pertaining to this work accurately and promptly, collecting and forwarding all money due on subscription to the Office at the close of each quarter. By this work good results are to be secured in two directions, which will be as enduring as eternity: first, to the persons who, by this means, read the papers; and secondly, by giving financial strength and support to the Publishing Associations, thus enabling them to widen and extend their influence.

From the following will be seen the approximate amount of business in periodicals which each of the larger State societies has done with the REVIEW AND HERALD Office since Jan. 1, 1880:— Michigan, $626.22; Iowa, $500.00; New England, $453.80; New York, $405.66; Minnesota, $361.38; Pennsylvania, $320.21; Wisconsin, $309.80; Kansas, $297.58; Ohio, $269.40; Vermont, $196.98; Indiana, $154.75; Dakota, $137.35; Illinois, $132.77; Missouri, $90.30; Nebraska, $89.66; Maine, $52.85. Total, $4,398.61.