p. 21 | Publishing Department by W. W. Eastman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 24, 1915

Publishing Department

By W. W. Eastman

N. Z. TOWN — General Secretary W. W. EASTMAN — N. Am. Div. Secretary

Our Books Are Appreciated

WE are receiving some very clear evidences that our subscription books are being appreciated by an influential class of people. Thinking the readers of the REVIEW would be glad to read some of these testimonies, we are passing on one that has recently come to us. It is from a Lutheran, and leads us to wonder if we ourselves appreciate the good book “Daniel and the Revelation,” our first subscription book, as much as does the writer of this testimony. Here is what he says:—

“The most remarkable and best book ever written by man on Biblical themes since the days of the apostles is undoubtedly ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,’ critical and practical, by Uriah Smith. His store of knowledge is overwhelming: he cites from two hundred and twenty-one authors, in all branches of science. Note carefully his masterly description of the career and fall of the Old World powers — Nineveh, Babylon, Palestine, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. All who have an interest in the history of mankind will here find much to edify and enlighten their minds. His Christian views of the human race, and of God’s dealing with it, are unlike anything I have found in any historian or church Father; and with the best of these I have made myself acquainted. Even if one cannot exactly agree with his views on the future of America or the development of the fifth universal kingdom, he can read the book with great profit. Never has any Lutheran theologian been able to produce any commentary on or explanation of these books that in any sense whatever can compare with Smith’s work; and it is not to be wondered at, because our theologians are enshrouded in the dark paths of the systematic theology.

“There must come a springtime, an advent time, to fearful hearts, to troubled consciences, that can alleviate all pain, solve all mysteries, when the time comes that all priestly tyranny will keep mankind down in spiritual darkness and spiritual ignorance. Away with the proud theology,—the theological pride which stupefies and brings destruction to both priest and church!”

“There must come and will come a springtime, an advent time; and who knows, perhaps it is nearer than any one expects. Therefore I say once more: ‘Take and read this book;’ read it many times; you will never regret it. It will be a light to your path as no other book in all the literature of the world, the Bible excepted, can be. The writer of these lines has read it through at least ten times, each time with increased interest.

“There comes a springtime, an advent time, in your soul by reading this book; it is inspired from the everlasting dwelling place above, from the kingdom of light beyond the shining stars; and if the author’s prophetic views on the fifth great universal kingdom are fulfilled, he must be counted among the prophets.”

Truly this is an encouraging testimony, and ought to inspire us to put forth more earnest efforts to place our good books in the hands of the people.

W. W. EASTMAN.