BUT very little has been said of late in regard to the special canvass for the SIGNS, to be followed with that of "Great Controversy," Vol. 4; and perhaps some have the idea that this has been dropped, but such is not the case. Wherever this work has been taken hold of energetically, the results have been very encouraging. One reports that out of thirty-five persons reading the SIGNS, twenty-nine subscribed for Vol. 4. Another states that in canvassing the territory sixty-nine out of seventy-six who had taken the SIGNS also subscribed for Vol. 4 when it was presented to them. We quote the following from a letter just received from Elder Haskell:—
"Yours giving prices on the 'Great Controversy' received. Also the prospectus. To me, it seems that you make a happy hit of the prospectus. I never saw any prospectus which I think is better calculated to sell the book than the one you have gotten out. The first ones you got out were not quite so good, but the last one, a sample of which came by mail, cannot fail to give a good impression to the one who is shown the book. If people have any taste at all for a nice book, and for religious reading, and the canvasser half does his duty, there can be no question but that the book will sell; and then if they do not want a nice book, the costliest one, the agent can drop down to the cheapest edition. We are trying to see what can be done in this Conference, and I hope we shall be successful in selling a good many of them. I believe that the time will come when not only fifty but a hundred thousand of these books will be sold. I would not be surprised if that number were sold in less than a year. It is a kind of book that will go with the people. We are upon the verge of changes that will effect the cause materially. Some of our brethren realize this, and those who do will be willing to take hold of the work. We are, in New England, putting the SIGNS and the book together, following the plan adopted in New York. As we distribute the SIGNS among the people, calling their attention to the principal points in the paper, calling special attention to Sister White's articles, and then make a second and third visit on succeeding weeks, we prepare the way for the canvass of Vol. 4; and on the fourth week we take the book and try to make a sale of it. In New York, where this plan was tried, over sixty out of ninety took the book."
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES seems to prepare the way for the sale of our bound books, especially Vol. 4. The people become interested in Sister White's articles, which appear on the first page of each number; and when the canvasser for Vol. 4 states that the author of this book is the same as the one who wrote those articles, he is almost sure to get a subscriber. But even if this were not the case, and nothing more was done than to get a yearly subscription for the SIGNS, who can estimate the amount of good done? Books are good, and we ought to do all we can to encourage their sale; but we do know this, that they are too often placed in the book-case and never read. But the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, coming weekly, as it does, is bound to attract attention. It has such a variety of articles, on such a variety of subjects, that every individual is sure to find something in the paper to interest him; and his interest or curiosity once aroused, he will be led to investigate still further. One volume of the SIGNS will cover nearly every point of present truth; and this is why we find persons who have embraced the Sabbath through reading the SIGNS so well informed in regard to all our doctrines. What other book or periodical can show so many converts to the truth as the SIGNS? From one to a score of letters are received here at the office almost every week from persons who have embraced the truth or become deeply interested in it from reading the SIGNS. This number will be largely multiplied if we add those who report to our Tract and Missionary Societies, and then there must be a very large number who receive their first impression of the truth in this way from whom we never have a report.
As will be noticed, we have made some very important changes on the SIGNS this year, which makes it much more attractive, and with the liberal discount to new subscribers, and to clubs, it can be handled with profit. But even if we could not make quite so much money on this as we could canvassing for some book, still the good results shown ought to encourage many to take hold of the work. We pay our ministers quite a large sum each year, and consider it a good investment. What minister have we that can show the number of converts in a year that the SIGNS can?
At the last session of the International Tract and Missionary Society the following resolution was adopted:—
WHEREAS, The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a valuable missionary journal, finding favor with the people, while it conveys to them the principles of the Third Angel's Message, therefore,
"Resolved, That we urge the State societies to increase their club of SIGNS, and to use every reasonable effort to get it into the hands of the people."
We hope that not only the State societies will act upon this resolution, but that local societies and individuals will also take hold of this work. We think we can confidently say that with the improvements in the mechanical appearance of the paper, there will also be an improvement in its contents. The experience of past years, coupled with a greater number of contributors, will, we think, insure this.
We feel determined, by the help of God, to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES just the best religious journal published, and one calculated to win its way to the hearts of the people. And we now ask our brethren and sisters everywhere to take hold with us to try to extend its circulation, either by taking clubs and sending out by mail, or by canvassing for it with or without Vol. 4.
GREAT CONTROVERSY, VOL. 4.
By Editor
SINCE issuing the Subscription Edition of this book, we have received a good many letters asking if it was to take the place of the Popular Edition of which we have sold so many. In reply we would answer, No. We expect to continue to publish the Popular Edition right along, and all who wish to use it as a subscription book can do so. It will also be used in connection with the canvass for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, as heretofore.
It may be that beginners and those who have had but little experience in the canvassing work will prefer to start out with the Popular Edition, as the price is so much less. But there are other canvassers of more experience who prefer to handle a higher priced book, also one where they can offer different styles of binding. For the benefit of such we have issued the larger or Subscription Edition, and expect that this too will have a large sale. But let it be distinctly understood that both styles can be had at any time, and both will be issued as subscription books. We simply adopt the name "Popular" and "Subscription" to designate the two editions.
The Popular Edition is put up in one style only, viz., full cloth, at $1.50 per copy, retail.
The Subscription Edition is bound in several styles, as follows:—
Fine English Cloth, Red Edges, . . . $2 00
Library Style, Marbled Edges, . . . 2 50
Half Morocco, Gilt Edges, . . . 3 50
Full Morocco, Gilt Edges, . . . 4 50
For terms, territory, etc., address your State T. and M. Society, or Pacific Press Publishing House, Oakland, California.
THE SUPPLEMENT.
By Editor
FOR some time important articles have been accumulating relating more especially to the dangers and duties of our own people at this time, which we did not wish to publish in the SIGNS on account of the limited space. We have therefore decided to issue a Supplement, which we trust will not only be found interesting but profitable to all.
We would call special attention to Sister White's article, entitled, "Missionary Work by Correspondence." This shows very clearly that all can have a part in warning the world of its impending doom, and points out one way of doing the work. In connection with this article it might be well to read the one entitled, "The SIGNS and What People Say About It." This may serve as an encouragement to many to take hold of the work. Elder Haskell's article, "To Those Who Feel Anxious to Work but Do Not Know How to Begin," carries out the same idea still further, and will be interesting to all.
We trust that none will fail to read "Extracts from a Late Appeal from Sister White," also the two articles from Elder Haskell, entitled, "Is It a Sacrifice?" and "How Some Have Helped the Cause," all treating upon different phases of the same subject. We are glad to say that some of our brethren have already begun to act upon these suggestions, and are doing as brother D, E, and F did, as referred to in one of the above-named articles, and money is being donated, or placed in our various institutions without interest, thus enabling the work to be carried forward to much better advantage. We look forward to the time, and that not far distant, when all our institutions will be relieved from their interest-bearing debt.
We cannot stop to enumerate all the articles contained in this Supplement, but all are good, and will bear reading many times, and we trust that the instruction given and suggestions made will be acted upon, and that we shall witness a spirit of sacrifice, and desire to labor, such as we have never seen in the past. The end is fast approaching, and our time to labor is short. Let us work while the day lasts.
It is the desire of the publishers that every Sabbath-keeper and lover of present truth should have a copy of this Supplement. Will those to whom extra copies are sent please see that they are properly distributed, and if more copies are wanted please notify us, and they will be furnished free of charge.