NOT AS IT SHOULD BE by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 28, 1868

NOT AS IT SHOULD BE.

By James White

The present limited circulation of those pamphlets published from time to time, containing testimony for the church, is in a great degree owing to the want of a proper plan for circulating them. Some less than 2000 of those testimonies are taken, while the REVIEW is received by twice as many. This is not as it should be. While all who read the REVIEW, might not be profited by them at present, there are at least 1000 of its readers who should read them, who do not. Those are the very persons, above all others, who need to read them.

The ardent friends of the cause will obtain them and read them with a degree of profit, while those less ardent, less sacrificing and true to the cause, less spiritual and godly, the very ones addressed in the testimonies, the very ones who need them most, do not send for them. Hence the great design in giving them, in writing and publishing them, is nearly lost. It would be better to give these testimonies in the REVIEW. But there are two objections to this. First, they should be in pamphlet form, to be preserved as matters of ready reference. Second, they are testimonies to the church. The circulation of the REVIEW reaches beyond.

I have long been settled on the following, as the best plan to circulate the Testimonies:

1. Print an edition of at least 3500, and send it to the subscribers of the REVIEW, excepting those persons who are not in a state of mind to be benefited by such reading. Should any receive it who do not wish to receive such testimony, or should any wish it to whom it might not be sent, all such persons could give notice. Thus could a large list be obtained of those who would with interest read the Testimonies. This would be nearly double their present number of readers. But what is most to be regarded, they would thus reach a large class of persons, who, above all others, need them. And this would save the stationery, time of writing, and postage of many hundreds of letters ordering each number of the Testimonies.

2. Time in doing the business at the Office relative to the Testimonies in little driblets, and burdening the REVIEW with many names and small amounts, under the head of "Books sent by Mail." Instead of all this, when a testimony is printed, it can be sent out to all who wish it, with less trouble at the Office, and none to those who receive it. The expense can be met by donations from all who wish this kind of reading to be in the hands of those who need it. There would be no difficulty in raising quite a fund for this purpose. The receipts could be given on third page of the cover of each number, with the statement of cost, so that all the friends could see if means were needed. I am prepared to say that in editions of 5000 copies, these Testimonies can be sent out, post paid, at the rate of ten pages for one cent, or ten cents a copy, the size of No. 15.

Number 16 will be ready in August, and will contain matter of great interest to those who believe these testimonies are from the Lord. Those who are in favor of the above suggestions, will please respond immediately. Let churches take action upon the subject, get subscriptions, and let those who approve send their donations or pledges in immediately. Also scattered brethren will please respond. Address Elder James White, Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. If more convenient, donations for this object can be sent to the Review Office.

I will give $5.00, to send No. 16 as above suggested, and Mrs. W. will give $5.00 more. J. W.