p. 8 | The Publishing Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 27, 1909

The Publishing Work

ON the evening after the Sabbath, May 15, Brother E. R. Palmer, secretary of the Publishing Department, presented a stereopticon report of the publishing work. This was given under two heads,—historical and statistical. A sketch was given of the rise and progress of the publishing work from its beginning in 1845 until the close of 1908. Slides had been prepared showing interesting pages of the first tracts, periodicals, and books published. These showed up very clearly on the screen.

The history of the work was also outlined in decades, showing the principal events during the past sixty-four years. A summary of the sale of literature during the entire period was thrown upon the screen as follows:—

1845-1854 ............. $ 2,500 1855-1864 ............. 17,500 1865-1874 ............. 73,000 1875-1884 ............. 371,000 1885-1894 ............. 3,969,000 1895-1904 ............. 3,144,000 Total for sixty years $7,577,000 1905 ............ $548,000 1906 ............ 824,000 1907 ............ 1,035,000 1908 ............ 1,280,000 Total for four years $3,687,000 Grand total ........ $11,264,000

It will be seen by studying these figures that the sale of literature during the first sixty years amounted to $7,577,000. During the past four years, it

has amounted to $3,687,000. The sales during the past few years have amounted to a little more than a half million dollars more than during the previous ten years, and amounted to nearly one third of the sales during the entire sixty-four years.

Many interesting comparisons may be made by studying these figures.

The following points were emphasized in the report:—

1. That the great things of God usually develop from small beginnings.

2. These figures show that the grand old cause is rapidly marching on. Rapid progress made in the circulation of literature is but an index to the progress made in all departments.

3. In the fifth decade, 1885-1894, the circulation of our literature rapidly increased as the result of thorough organization. During the next decade, 1895-1904, there was a decline as the result of disorganization. During the past four years, there has been a strong revival as the result of the revival of the plans of organization, sometimes referred to as reorganization.