Two Bookmen’s Conventions by H. H. Hall

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

Two Bookmen’s Conventions

By H. H. Hall

A BOOKMEN’S convention was held in Sioux Falls, S. D., January 10-16, in behalf of the subscription book and missionary work in the Northern and Central Union Conferences. It was attended by the general and field agents; the tract society secretaries; several of the presidents of both unions; Elder R. A. Underwood, president of the Northern Union; James Cochran and W. R. Beatty, of the Kansas City Branch, and Chas. M. Cottrell, of the Canadian Branch; also the writer, from the main office of the Pacific Press.

Home Missionary Work

A paper entitled, “Revival of Missionary Work; How to Organize for It,” was presented early in the convention, and was enthusiastically received. All present appreciated the fact that the success of our work as a whole, and particularly the success of our subscription book work, depends upon active service in the home churches. The recommendation from the General Conference Publishing Department to the effect that union and State Missionary secretaries be appointed was favorably received. All seemed to recognize the fact that the circulation of tracts, periodicals, trade and forty-per-cent books had assumed sufficient importance to demand that one man in every conference take general charge of it, much the same as the canvassing agent directs in the subscription book work.

Book Study

A daily study of the great truths contained in “Daniel and the Revelation” was led by Brother F. L. Limerick, and a similar study on “Controversy” was carried forward by Brother W. L. Manful. These studies were particularly helpful, for they revived in our hearts an appreciation of the value and importance of these volumes.

Round Table Talks

An hour and a half was given each day to a round table discussion of the details of the successful field agent. The various points had been arranged in advance in a logical way; hence these daily studies were very profitable. A blackboard was placed on the wall, and as the different points were developed, they were written on the board. After being revised according to the discussion, they were recorded by the secretary, and embodied in the minutes of the convention. A few extra copies of the minutes may be had by addressing the writer at Mountain View, Cal.

Institute General Instruction

Brother C. G. Bellah gave daily lessons on the detailed instruction that should be given to prospective canvassers in an institute. In anticipation of this study an outline in brief had been printed on paper with wide margins. Each field agent had a copy of this, and made such memoranda on it concerning the points made, the illustrations introduced, etc., as would be of assistance to him in his own institute work. We believe this was a very instructive feature of our program. A few copies of the printed outline are available. Address the writer.

Reminiscences of the Book Work

One entire evening session was given to the relation of incidents and experiences connected with the beginning of the circulation of the printed page by this denomination. Elder Underwood presented an intensely interesting paper on this topic, and was followed by Brother C. M. Everest, who told us of his experiences as State agent in Minnesota. As we compared the facilities we now have for the carrying on of our book work, the preparation which our field agents, as well as the canvassers themselves, now receive, we were led to appreciate our present opportunities, and to determine to make better use of them.

City Work

Another evening was given to the consideration of papers, experiences, and observations on city work. Brother Chas. M. Cottrell led in the presentation of a paper entitled, “Successful Canvassing in Our Cities.” He told of his

experiences with different books in different cities, just how he gained an entrance, presented his book and delivered it. Brother T. D. Gibson followed, presenting some valuable suggestions on the same subject. Brother W. R. Beatty spoke of his experience with well-to-do people in Spokane, Wash., Oakland, Cal., Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Altogether, it was an evening that gave us a new conception of the work to be done in our cities.

The Sale of Foreign Publications

As the conferences in the Northern Union and some in the Central Union have a large German, Swedish, and Danish population, careful attention was given to their needs. Brother Max Trummer told us how the young people speaking these languages, who are now in attendance at Union College, had become interested, and that fifty of them were now preparing themselves to sell books the coming vacation. They are studying their canvasses and their prospectuses in their own language.

Prices

The writer presented a paper on “The Price of a Subscription Book: What It Includes,” in which he showed that the actual cost of material entering into these books had increased 26.5% during the past few years. He also spoke of the improvements that had been made in “Great Controversy” and “Daniel and the Revelation,” and suggested that increased prices would have to be secured in order to place the work upon a proper basis. The prices of $2.75, $3.75, and $4.75 for the marbled, library, and leather bindings respectively for “Great Controversy,” “Daniel and the Revelation,” and “Bible Readings” were enthusiastically adopted.

The Manufacture of a Book

A carefully prepared paper, written by Brother F. H. Gage, of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, was read by Brother F. F. Byington, manager of the International Publishing Association, in which the various processes of book manufacture were presented. These were made clear to all by exhibits which were passed around during the reading of the paper.

The College Place Convention

A somewhat similar program, but varied to suit the needs of the coast conferences, has just been closed at College Place, Wash. Here we were favored by the attendance of the North Pacific Union Conference Committee at our opening meeting, and by as many of their members as could be relieved from their duties during the succeeding sessions. At this convention, as well as at the one held in Sioux Falls, our field and office workers were brought close together, were led to plan for united action, and gained a new sense of the importance of the work to which they had given their lives.

What We Expect During 1908

With a well-organized, united band of field and office workers; with carefully planned, tested, and accepted methods of work; with about fifteen hundred students in our various schools, one third of whom will probably enter the field during vacation; and with a conviction that we are doing the very work the Lord would have us do, we confidently expect a great work to be done during 1908.

H. H. HALL.