A New Enterprise by H. L. Hastings

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1866

A New Enterprise.

By H. L. Hastings

I propose, if the Lord will, to issue a sheet about the size of the Crisis, filled with new tracts, during this present month of February, 1866, and afterwards as often as once a month, if practicable. It will be a newspaper in form, but not in fact, as it will be printed with wide columns, and after it is printed and scattered, each tract will be also printed separately, in the usual form.

REASONS FOR IT.

1. I have on hand large quantities of matter, thousands of pages of reported sermons by H. L. Hastings, Edwin Burnham and others; multitudes of tracts and extracts, hymns, tunes, etc., etc., enough to fill a weekly paper, I presume, for a year, and too numerous, by far, to intrude on any existing periodical.

2. When these tracts are printed, I want to save them for future publication, and hence I wish them in broad columns, so I can preserve them stereotyped, in book form, for future use.

3. In ordinary papers, choice articles cannot be obtained and circulated separately, and sometimes matters of little general interest occupy large portions of a paper. In this, all such matters are intended to be omitted, and only articles of permanent value are to be issued.

4. Many persons will read a newspaper when they would not read a tract even if it contained the same matter; and I wish to reach them with the gospel message.

5. Many persons want to see all the new tracts that are issued, but it is too troublesome and expensive for them to write separately for each one, and this arrangement will give them a steady supply of samples, so they can see what is issued, and know what to order.

6. In tracts, about one-fourth of the paper is used for the white margins, and more than half the labor is expended in folding, stitching, and trimming them. This I save by the newspaper form, and can publish cheaper than in any other way, considering the amount of matter published.

7. I want to put this sheet outside of all sectarian boundaries and limits, among missions, Freedmen, Sunday schools and churches, thus spreading the glad tidings of the grace of God; and I propose to fill up this sheet with sermons, exhortations, hymns, music, expositions of Scripture, records of God's good providence over his people, notes of discourses, and reading matters for young and old, great and small.

8. Moving in this matter without the knowledge, counsel, or help of any one but the Lord, having only sought his guidance, remembering that if God be pleased the work will not be in vain, I shall strive to conduct this publication with a single eye to his glory; and though the responsibility is great, and the eye of reason does not see the way through future difficulties, yet faith declares "the Lord will provide."

The title of the periodical will be

THE CHRISTIAN.

I know of no better name than this, and pray that its character may correspond with the title chosen.

TERMS.

1. It will be sent for 60 cents per volume, of twelve numbers, to any address in the United States or British Provinces.

2. Ten copies will be sent for $5. To the Provinces, the price will be $6 for ten copies.

3. Persons ordering ten or more copies for free distribution in Missions, Hospitals, Sunday schools, among Freedmen, and in similar localities, can have ten copies for $4.

The Lord's poor shall have The Christian free, so long as we can send it.

WHEN ORDERED IN ADVANCE.

Copies of single numbers will be sent out at cost of paper and printing, no charge being made for the type-setting, editing, and similar expenses. They will be sent by mail, 100 copies for $3, post-paid, and by express, 100 copies for $2.50.

Who will order 1000 copies of the first number for $25? Who will order 400 copies for $10? Who will order 33 copies for $1? Who will order 10 copies for 30 cents? Who will order 5 copies, or more, for nothing? All shall be supplied who send. Those who choose to, may send stamps to prepay postage. But do not delay sending, as when once the printing is done, and the edition scattered, no more can be had at any price. This rate affords about FORTY PAGES OF TRACT MATTER FOR ONE CENT.

WHO WILL HELP?

I invite the friends of Christ, wherever they are, to co-operate in the circulation of this periodical. 1. Pray for it. 2. Work for it. 3. Subscribe for it. It will be issued as regularly as practicable, though from the nature of its contents, it will be in season at any time, and hence we shall not be forced to print without due preparation, as would be the case with a more frequent issue.

Any preacher, or any one else, can have packages of ten or twenty copies sent freely and gladly to use as specimens in securing subscribers.

WRITE IMMEDIATELY if you wish them, as otherwise you will be too late. Those who wish to receive it regularly can send their subscriptions at once, as by so doing I shall avoid prepaying the postage on it. And they can pay it at the office where the paper is received, quarterly, in advance.

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST NUMBER.

For the first number, among others, the following original articles are prepared, and will be published, so far as space will permit:

Fishers of men; a sermon by H. L. Hastings, phonographically reported.
De Gurchy and De Carterette, a Story of Grace. A deeply interesting account of the conversion of two hardened infidels.
Sold Cheap. A plain talk to young men, by H. L. H.
Wild Oats. A plain talk to young men.
The Good Master. A large print tract for Freedmen and mission circulation, by H. L. H.
Marks, Good and Bad. Another large print tract for Freedmen, by H. L. H.
Various other original or carefully selected articles.
Original poetry, by H. L. H.
Original music, by H. L. H.
Book notices, Prospectus, and sundry other matters which cannot now be specified.

This is the programme of the new enterprise. I submit it to the brethren and friends, praying for the blessing of God, and hoping for the prayers of the people.

Please direct all letters, orders, and remittances to H. L. HASTINGS, Scriptural Tract Repository, 19 Lindell St., Boston.