The Review---Enlargement.
By Editor
For a series of weeks in the past, particularly during the last volume, and so far on the present, an increasing accumulation of important matter, has pressed upon the Editor, and the Trustees of the S. D. A. Publishing Association, the question of enlarging the Review. Our paper, so far as relates to the size and number of its pages, is small; and although from the small-sized type we use, we present nearly as much reading matter as the largest Advent papers, yet for want of space, the testimony of the Review is crippled, much important matter is necessarily postponed from week to week, some departments which ought to be opened in the paper, have to be omitted entirely, and thus its usefulness is greatly restrained. 1. We are satisfied that there should be a News Department, in which should be given from week to week, a judicious summary of the news of the day. The lack of this department operates against us in various ways. 1st. It obliges many of our people to take two papers for the sake of getting the current news, which they feel that they cannot do without; and 2nd. It operates against the increase of our circulation; for when solicited to take the paper, the first inquiry with many, before they become interested enough to take it for the truth's sake, is, Does it give the news? When informed that it does not, they turn away, under the plea that they cannot take two papers. Our location is no objection to a news department; for in these days of railroads, telegraphs, and daily papers, we are as well prepared here in Michigan to give the news up to the date of each week's publication, as we should be if located in Boston or New York. We are persuaded that this department would tend as much as anything to give us a wider circulation, which we all desire. But to do it, we must have more space. 2. The columns of the Review might be enriched from week to week from the writings of others besides our own people, who have given to the world valuable thoughts on many practical and theoretical subjects, which would tend both to arouse and instruct us. And no one would even suggest that we publish less original matter than we now do, in order to give place to these testimonies. The correspondents of the Review are doing well, and are deserving of all praise; but none of its readers would consent to their doing less; and there are many others from whom we ought oftener to hear words of exhortation, comfort, and good cheer. So that more space is imperatively called for in this direction. 3. There should be in each number, or at least, much oftener than at present, a sermon from some one of our preachers, on some of the many thrilling themes connected with the present truth. There has no feature been proposed hitherto, which has met so earnest a response on the part of many brethren as this; one brother even going so far as to pledge $5 a year for his paper, if we could have the sermon. We should, ourselves, have urged it more strongly, had space been more plenty. 4. A certain amount of space, each week, could be devoted very profitably to an explanation or exposition of some of the more obscure, or interesting, texts of scripture; and everything which would tend to increase a love for the Bible, or excite an interest in its study, we should, by all means, as far as possible secure. 5. We believe that an enlarged paper would have an encouraging influence upon the cause; that it would stimulate all who are capable of writing for its columns, to greater exertions; and that the paper would come forth greatly improved, filled with matter no less choice than at present; and that its circulation and consequent sphere of usefulness would be greatly increased. But if the paper is to be enlarged, the question comes up, In what shall this enlargement consist? Shall it be an enlarged page, or a greater number of pages? On this point we suggest, first, that the size of the page is sufficiently large. It is neat in appearance, convenient to handle while reading, and especially advantageous in reference to binding, and should not therefore, we think, be increased in size; but second, we would propose to add four pages of the same size, giving a paper one-half larger, or having twelve pages instead of eight. In this case the paper would be stitched which would of itself be an immense advantage, as it would not come apart when the leaves were cut open, and would thus cause a great many to be preserved which are now torn up and destroyed. But there is another question to be met here, and that is a financial one. How shall the increased expense be met? If the Review, at its present size, can be afforded at $2.00 per year, it could be published one-half larger for $3.00 per year. But the cost will not increase in an equal ratio with the increased size of the paper; as the extra cost would only be on type-work, paper, press-work, and folding; the wrapping, mailing, editor's and business departments costing no more. A goodly number of our subscribers already generously pay $3.00 per year for the paper at its present size. We will therefore say that the paper can be published one-half larger, if the number who now pay $3.00 a year can be doubled, and if the rest of our paying subscribers will come up to $2.50 each. And when our subscription list reaches 6000 paying subscribers, the regular price can be reduced to $2.00 per year as at present. On these terms we expect the enlargement will be called for. For 1st, we think that all the friends of the truth will be favorable to the idea of having a larger paper. 2nd. We think that all who now pay $3.00 a year will be willing to pay the same for a larger and better paper. 3rd. We think that many others will be willing to come up and pay voluntarily $3.00 per year. 4th. We think that no one will object to $2.50; and 5th. We think that under this arrangement our list can be immediately increased to a considerable extent, and very soon be brought up to the figures named. So we submit the question to one and all. Shall we have an enlarged paper, commencing with the next volume, which we shall reach in thirteen weeks from this date? Especially would we like a response to this question from our ministers, all of whom will be more or less prepared to judge of the feelings and wants of the brethren in this direction. And if any one has any suggestions to make pro or con, we hope they will be sent in at once. The paper was enlarged to its present size in August, 1851. It was first issued weekly in September, 1853. From that time we have continued, with only some minor changes and improvements, to the present, the Review ever bearing a straightforward and unflinching testimony to the truth in all its departments. The prospering hand of the Lord has been with us, and we are now upon an excellent financial basis. We have full confidence in the onward progress and triumph of this work; but we cannot suppose that a paper of eight pages, of the size we now publish, will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the great work before us. And is it not time for us now to come up and manifest our faith, by taking an advance step in this direction, and issuing a paper more adapted to our own wants as a people, and to the wants of those whom we would enlighten in reference to the life-giving truths committed to our charge. TRUSTEES
of the S. D. A. Publishing Association.