At the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Houses there are issued four periodicals in English, and one each in Danish, German, French, and Swedish. While all of the reasons offered for the wide circulation of our English papers hold good for these sheets in foreign languages, there is one grave reason why a greater effort should be bestowed upon the wide distribution of the foreign papers than on any other; namely, that we have less than a dozen men preaching in these four tongues, and the great part of the hundreds of thousands in Europe and America speaking these languages who will be warned by the message, must receive this warning through these papers.
The Clubbing Plan.
The plan of furnishing these papers in clubs of ten or more copies to one address, at greatly reduced prices, then they are to be used for missionary distribution, places it within the reach of all to send a large amount of reading matter containing precious truths, to their friends or to strangers, and then by careful correspondence to draw them to the truth.
The publication of the papers has never been a source of profit to their publishers, but they have pushed it forward with the same spirit of love and sacrifice that characterizes other missionary enterprises. The publishers offer the following liberal
Clubbing Rates for 1880.
When sent to one address to be used exclusively for missionary purposes:—
Advent Tidende, for 1 year, five to ten copies, 65 cents per copy; ten or more copies, 60 cents each.
Stimme der Wahrheit, five to ten copies, 40 cents a copy; ten or more copies, 35 cents each.
Les Signes des Temps, five to ten copies, 90 cents a copy; ten or more copies, 80 cents each.
Advent Harolden, five to ten copies, 50 cents a copy; ten or more copies, 45 cents each.
The Trial Trip Plan.
Many who on the first solicitation could not be induced to subscribe for a paper with which they were unacquainted, would pay a few cents for three or four numbers on trial. And many would be willing to pay a small sum for a few numbers of the paper to be sent to their friends a few months on trial. After reading these trial numbers very many thus can be persuaded to subscribe. This is not intended to take the place of the plan of subscribing for clubs and remailing the papers to friends, but it is a special offer made at the beginning of the year, by which those who wish to send the papers to one person for a considerable time can do so without the expense of remailing.
Rates for Papers on Trial.
Advent Tidende for two months, four numbers of the paper, 10 cents.
Stimme der Wahrheit for three months, three numbers, 10 cents.
Les Signes des Temps for three months, three numbers, 25 cents.
Advent Harolden for six months, six numbers, 25 cents.
In sending papers to persons in Europe, two cents for each paper must be added for postage. The trial trip to friends in Europe would stand thus: Tidende, four numbers, 18 cents; Stimme der Wahrheit, three numbers, 16 cents; Les Signes des Temps, three numbers, 25 cents; Advent Harolden, six numbers, 37 cents.
Who will not spend a dollar or two in sending the precious truths contained in these papers to their friends? Let the names come in. We look for twenty thousand before the first of February. W. C. W.
SOUTHAMPTON ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our cause in this mission is advancing in its various branches, not only here in Southampton, but in other parts where we are making efforts by the distribution of reading matter and by correspondence. Last week another sister commenced to keep the Sabbath; and some who have ability to defend the truth have written favorably, and think of taking their stand with us soon.
The work of placing our publications on ships has been increasing in interest and importance every week. England is an important point from which to distribute reading matter all over the world, being the mother country, or home port, of a kingdom “whose soil the sun never sets.” As one English writer says: “Before the sun’s evening I leave the spires of Quebec, his morning beams have shone three hours on Port Jackson, and while sinking from the waters of Lake Superior, my eyes open upon those of the Ganges.”
There is a continual passing and repassing of ships from England to all the numerous branches of this vast kingdom, which embraces possessions in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as America and numerous islands of the sea.
Since the completion of the Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas, transit is rapid and more frequent to the East Indies, Bombay, Calcutta, etc. Below is a table making a comparison of the ships of all nations that passed through the canal from May 1, 1878, to April 30, 1879. In that time, one year, just one solitary American vessel of two thousand tons burden went through the canal, while of English vessels there were 1,173, bearing 1,686,239 tons of freight. The highest number of vessels from any other nation was France, which passed through in ninety-two vessels.
It is true, Southampton is not the best port in England from which to reach parts of the dominion by sea; but it is second in importance, standing next to London and Liverpool. We could have done more ship-work than has already been done, had we not lacked material in the different languages with which to work.
Just at present there is a great emigration to the United States. The steamers of the North German Lloyd Line from Bremen to New York stop at Southampton several hours every Tuesday. Of late they have had from two to four hundred passengers a week going to all parts of the United States. What an excellent chance to introduce Stimme der Wahrheit into the various German colonies in the United States; and again, to send some copies on returning steamers into parts of Germany. We have had ten copies of the paper that Bro. Ings paid for, and I had to make up the rest of the scanty matter for the hungry passengers with a few copies of German tracts. If some who are interested spread the German paper will furnish us with the amount of fifty or sixty papers, prepaid at the rate of two cents a number, I will see that they are judiciously distributed.
Again, many ships from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden come into this port, some of which return to various parts of their native country, some go to the United States for grain, and some sail to Russia. To supply these clear-headed sailors we have had five copies of Tidernes Tegn, and a few Danish and Swedish tracts.
Bro. Ings found one man the other day who had read, in Norway, the false reports against Bro. Matteson. He was much pleased to learn that Bro. Ings was acquainted with him. Conversation removed the prejudice. He read tracts and papers, and is now reading with interest Bro. Matteson’s Sabbath in the New Testament, which he purchased. We must have more papers in Danish and Swedish from some source, to help in that branch of the work.
More has thus far been accomplished here in distributing our American Signs of the Times than in any other branch of the tract work, and as the subscription of many of these clubs has nearly expired, I would say, We know that the Signs distributed by sea and land have done a great work, not only in calling attention to our views, but in deciding many on the truth. We hope that our friends in America who so kindly sent us clubs last year, will see fit to continue them. And if others who have clean papers, either Signs, or the Swedish, Danish, or German paper, will please mail them to J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley-road, Southampton, England, prepaying postage at the rate of two cents for each number, we will promise that they shall be judiciously distributed.
Our ship-work has been in operation long enough for many of the ships to return a second and third time. They not only report that the periodicals and books in the various languages are read with interest on the ships, but that after being thus read they have been scattered at the various ports where the vessels have called. In some instances stewards or captains have themselves become so interested as to purchase our larger works. Last week a steward of a steamer bought six of our $1.00 volumes to put on his own table at home, after having read them himself. These ship officers not only request more reading matter, but kindly offer to do all they can to help us distribute our publications. One who had read our works said to another ship’s crew that had just received the papers and tracts for the first time, “Now you have some reading matter that amounts to something.”
We were never of better courage to labor in all these branches of the work. While we work we are praying, hoping, and waiting to see the salvation of God. J. N. Loughborough.
TO THE WORKERS IN ILLINOIS.
By R. F. Andrews
Dear Friends of the Truth: I wish to call your attention to the following points:—
1. “Educational Relief Fund.”—We passed a good resolution on this point at our last Conference; but we must do more than resolve. How many of us have acted up to the resolution? This enterprise should not and must not die. Many of our brethren could loan from ten to one hundred dollars without embarrassing themselves in the least; and there are very few who could not donate the sum of one dollar to this worthy cause. Let the ministers in their respective sections, and elders and leaders in the different churches, give immediate and prompt attention to this matter. The means raised may be sent to the REVIEW AND HERALD Office, Battle Creek, Mich., and credited to the “Illinois Educational Relief Fund.” When you send the money, be sure to state distinctly what it is for.
2. Missionary Work.—We must not slacken our pace in this important branch of the cause. It will soon be time for V. M. societies to renew their clubs for the Signs. Having had good crops, and fair prices, it will be a clear evidence of backsliding if we allow our clubs to diminish. They should increase. I am sorry to learn, through our State Secretary, that some of our V. M. societies are becoming slack about paying their monthly installments for the Signs; “some are two years behind.” This is all wrong, and must be corrected. The State society cannot carry this debt. Let there be a strong effort made to commence the new year with an even balance in all our societies. If such an effort is not made, it will be necessary to stop the clubs of those societies that do not meet their obligations promptly.
3. Good Health.—Every true temperance worker must be interested in the trial trip spoken of in the last number of this excellent journal. How many there are who are really perishing for the lack of the knowledge this journal will impart. “Omit no opportunity of doing good.” At the price offered, Illinois should send Good Health to at least one thousand new homes. Let this matter be attended to at once. “Strike while the iron is hot.”
4. State Treasury.—Our State treasury greatly needs replenishing. Let our brethren everywhere in the limits of our Conference see that their tithes are paid up to the close of this year. Some of our ministers have not been paid yet for their last year’s labors, and they need means which cannot be granted. There should be greater faithfulness in this matter of tithing, and more promptness in forwarding our tithes to the State treasury. We recommend that every family procure a “tithe box” (nice ones can be had at the REVIEW Office for the small sum of 25 cts.), and commence with the new year to faithfully carry out the instructions of Christ given through the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2. Come, brethren, let us prove God, and see if he will not pour us out “a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10.
5. Carelessness.—Some have sent money to our State treasurer without even signing their names to their letters. Some write to me without date, or naming the place where the letter comes from. These, to some, may seem small matters; but they sometimes make a great amount of needless labor. Now, by doing your business correctly, you will save your officers a great amount of labor and time. Please do not crowd on a single postal card enough to fill two. Use black ink, and save the time of your servants.
6. Let us all pray and work for a revival of the work of God in our Conference.
R. F. ANDREWS.
S. N. HASKELL
By S. N. Haskell
TESTIMONY NO. 29.
A PORTION of this testimony was read at the General Conference. The view of the Judgment, as there presented, was of such a nature that no S. D. Adventist could fail to be interested in it, neither can any afford to lose the effect which a careful perusal of it will have upon those who may read it. Orders from the various tract societies should immediately be sent to the office, so that every minister and tract officer can be supplied with the Testimony, and it should be placed in every family of those who regard present truth. There should be no delay in this matter. New England has already ordered a sufficient number of copies to furnish each family of our brethren and sisters in the six New England States. District officers and librarians should immediately send orders to their State secretaries for them, but the State secretaries should not wait for all these orders before ordering from Battle Creek. They will be completed in a few days.
S. N. HASKELL
A GOOD EXAMPLE.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
YESTERDAY I visited a family who had embraced the truth within the past six months. Going to the library, I found a complete set of all our bound books, Sister White’s works, and our tracts. Shortly, the mail was brought in, and it contained the REVIEW, the Instructor, and the Signs. I could but feel at home. It was easy to converse on any part of the message. I knew they loved it all. I soon learned that they had signed the teetotal pledge, and that neither tobacco, tea, coffee, nor pork was used in the house.
Now, this is what every Sabbath-keeping family ought to do. I know of scores of families that have been in the truth for years, that have not a quarter of our books. They are able to get them all, if they really prized them as they should. I hope the action of our late General Conference on this subject will be regarded. D. M. CANRIGHT.
MICHIGAN DIVISIONS.
According to the resolutions passed at the last State Conference held at Lyons, Mich., the State has been divided into three sections as follows: Section No. 1 contains T. and M. districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, and 15; Section No. 2 contains T. and M. districts 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 16; Section No. 3 contains T. and M. districts 5, 6, 7, and 12.
The following-named individuals have charge of these sections: Eld. M. B. Miller, Battle Creek, Mich., Sec. No. 1; Eld. E. R. Jones, Battle Creek, Mich., Sec. No. 2; Eld. A. O. Burrill, Marshall, Mich., Sec. No. 3.
All applications throughout the State for labor or help of any kind, should be made to the President of the Conference, Eld. J. Fargo, Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.
MICH. CONF. COM.
STRIKE THE CRIME.
If in thy skill
To strike the crime, but spare the person still; As he who, when he saw the serpent wreathed About his sleeping son, and, as he breathed, Drink in his soul, did so the shot contrive To kill the beast, but keep the child alive.