Publishing Work in the South by R. HOOK, JR.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

Publishing Work in the South

By R. HOOK, JR.

It is with thankful hearts and praise to God that we report progress in our territory; for our books are going out in car-load lots.

The accompanying illustration shows the publishing-house wagon, and the car containing a recent large shipment of books sent to our branch at Fort Worth, Tex. The entire order calls for 12,600 volumes, of which this car-load is but a part. Brother R. L. Pierce, in sending in the order, requested that at least a portion of the shipment should reach him by August 10; and as our office carefully follows shipping instructions, it was particularly gratifying to receive the following letter from him. His letter is dated “Fort Worth, Tex., Aug. 10” (please note the date):—

“Well, that car-load of books has just been unloaded, and there are books to the right of us and books to the left of us. However, we shall get them in, and we are now busy unpacking them. So far as I have been able to ascertain, this is the first car-load of books shipped into Texas, and a short time ago there was no car-load rate on books. One of the big transfer companies unloaded the car for us, using five large wagons and eight men.”

[NOTE.—After this article had been sent to us, the Southern Publishing house received further orders from the Fort Worth Branch, calling for a second car-load of books.—E. R. P.]

This fact, brethren, is very significant. The third angel’s message is going with power. In fact, the first car-load of books ever sent into Texas contained this message of truth. Truly the Lord is at work, and we feel to thank him for the success that is attending the book work in our territory.

L. D. Randall, our manager in Atlanta, and E. H. Rees, our manager in New Orleans, are also crowding us with orders, so that the office works overtime every night. We have already run until midnight several nights, and this will continue for some time. Brother Rees recently sent us an order for 500 “Past, Present, and Future,” 500 “Home and Health,” and 200 “Christ Our Saviour,” the balance of the order being made up of small books. A short time ago we sent Brother Randall, in one shipment, 2,955 volumes, with a total weight of 4,464 pounds. By referring to our records, we find that our Atlanta Branch has ordered, during the first seven months of this year, a total of 21,731 volumes, of which 9,115 were large books. During the first seven months of 1910 we have sold 84,605 volumes; and if the Lord continues to bless our faithful canvassers, we shall far exceed the business done last year.

Our Watchman sales are also on the upward grade. The July number has been entirely disposed of, and over 3,000 additional orders were received that could not be filled. Before the August number was off the press, we had recorded orders for between four and five thousand copies of the magazine, and up to date we have sold about 34,000 of the August number. We are endeavoring to make the Watchman a present-truth evangelizer, and we receive many encouraging letters from readers outside our ranks, showing that they are deeply interested as a result of reading this magazine. We are told by the spirit of prophecy that “God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books. The consecrated canvasser can reach many that the gospel minister can not reach. Were it not for the canvasser, many would never hear the warning. Christians are to seek their light from the Word of God, and then in faith to go forth to give that light to those who sit in darkness.” Dear reader, have you received light? If so, you are in duty bound to give that light to others; and the truth can not be presented in any better way than through our books and periodicals.

Our statistics are completed only to July 30, but during the first six months of this year, book orders have been taken in our territory to the value of $100,714.28. We have been told by the spirit of prophecy that the work is to close up in the South sooner than in any other field, and the report of the work done in our territory goes to show that this statement is true; and is evidence that the angel of the Lord encampeth round about us, and is giving our workers success.

The actual sales for the home office during 1910, show a gain over the same period last year of $11,000. We thank God for the measure of success that is attending the work all over our territory, and are praying earnestly that we may so relate ourselves to our Heavenly Father that he may continue to add his blessing to the efforts that are being put forth by our faithful workers in the office and in the field.

It is customary with us in this publishing house to meet for prayer and Bible study every morning before taking up the work of the day. On Monday we meet in the chapel as a body, and during the week, morning worship is held by departments. We never fail to remember in prayer those of our workers in the field who are selling our books and papers; and we ask an interest in the prayers of our people everywhere that this office may be conducted in harmony with the divine will.

We are at present employing fifty-eight workers, and during this year have manufactured 99,654 volumes. Our time and energies are fully employed in denominational work, and we do not have a commercial job in the office. We feel to praise God for the measure of success that is attending the publishing work. We are of good courage, and we hear nothing but encouraging reports from all over the field. The Lord is surely blessing, and we give him all the praise.

SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION. R. HOOK, JR., General Manager.