Magazines by E. M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1914

Magazines

By E. M. Graham

This is a magazine-producing and magazine-reading age. Almost every place where people have to wait for any kind of conveyance has a stall with magazines on sale. Our publishing houses have seen the value of this interest in magazines, and are producing a number of high-class magazines to be placed in the hands of the public.

The production of these magazines is one step in the right direction, but there must be another before they can benefit the people; they must be taken to them.

We cannot depend upon the bookstalls to distribute them, for they supply only that which the world demands,—the magazines that deal with worldly things. For magazines that deal with higher things a demand must be created. Therefore the channel through which these magazines must go from the publishing houses to the public is our church members.

The most successful way of circulating magazines is selling them. Many of our people are doing this with excellent success. One sister reports selling 1,000 of the Signs Magazine a month last summer, which would give her $50 profit for each month's work, less the street car fares. One day, in six hours, she sold 300, which gave her $18. This is but one of many similar experiences.

While we have mentioned the profits this sister has made, to show that the Lord gives good wages, the secret of her success is that she is selling magazines to save souls. This is the motive that should induce an army of church members to sell magazines. By so doing, they will be placing in the hands of the people something that will, if followed, lead them into the truth.

These magazines should be sold in the residential section of every city and town, as well as in the business sections. In places where there is no Sunday law, the first day of the week is an excellent day to work. The man of the house is usually at home, and is more inclined to accept reading matter of a religious turn than when occupied with the cares of the working days. Some of the members of our churches should take a burden to see that such places are thoroughly canvassed.

Regular routes should be worked up where magazines can be delivered monthly by month. More should be abandoning worldly occupations and giving their entire time to selling magazines.

Magazines should be placed in all libraries and reading rooms. Back numbers may be placed in reading racks and distributed to benevolent institutions. The inmates have time to read, and are glad to get them. Our magazines are being used to save souls. God's appointed channel for reaching these perishing souls is his people, and he is depending on them to do the work. He wants you; do not disappoint him.

E. M. GRAHAM.