p. 356 | Untitled article by J. M. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 19, 1867

FINANCIAL.

By J. M. A.

The excellent system of mailing which we have for several years used on the Review precludes the necessity of our sending bills to our subscribers, as each one has his account in plain figures before him every week, and can see at a glance when his subscription expires, and how much he is in advance, or how much in arrears. No one therefore who is behind on his paper has any ground for delaying payment, under the innocent impression that his subscription is not yet expired. The greatest danger is in each one's thinking that the small amount he or she may owe, cannot make any material difference in the financial standing of the Office, and hence let it pass along as a matter of small importance. But the whole question of the financial support and prosperity of the Office rests upon these single and individual subscriptions; hence if any great portion of our subscribers reason and act on the ground above set forth, all will see that it must result in a falling off of funds and consequent financial embarrassment.

When the enlargement of the paper was projected, a careful estimate of the cost was made by those whose experience in connection with the Office qualified them to judge in such matters. Many, no doubt, would have been willing, as we doubled the size of the paper, to pay double the amount, or $4.00 per year. At the same time we were aware that many were paying $2.00 per year, who could not raise their subscriptions; hence to make it as easy as possible for all, we thought it advisable to put the paper at a price which would just make it self-sustaining. It was thought that if we could double the size of the sheet, furnishing nearly double the amount of new reading matter weekly, and yet raise the price only one half, we should be meeting the wants of the cause which demanded a larger paper, conferring a favor on the brethren, and putting the paper at a price to which no one could possibly object. The Review can be published for $160.00 a number, amounting to $8,320.00 for the year. Now if 3000 of our subscribers should pay the full price, $3.00 per year, this would amply cover this expense, and leave us a margin of some hundreds of papers for poor subscriptions, and those which we send free. But probably we cannot count on full price from 3000; yet those who cannot pay full price, exclusive of the free, can pay half price, or at least something, and if we may judge from the past, especially a few years past, we may count on something from the liberal friends of the cause in the way of donations. With what may be received from these sources, if those who can and should pay the full price, would pay it, there is no question but what the paper would be well sustained. The enlargement was not a move that was hastily made. Ample notice was given; and the step was universally called for; and since it has been made, it has been universally approved; so that in this respect we may consider that we have the voice of the body. Now the question is, will those who should pay the full price be prompt to meet their obligations in this respect? If one thousand persons fail to pay, though each one may consider his indebtedness but a small amount, yet put them all together, and it makes a difference of $3000 with the Office, which is quite a sum. Now we are sorry to say that there is about half of this sum now actually due on subscriptions from those who have given us no intimation but that we might expect from them full price. All will agree that this ought not so to be. As has doubtless been noticed, our receipts for some weeks past have been quite light; yet if we had what is due, the amount in which the Review thus far this volume has failed to meet expenses, would be more than made up.

We call the attention of the brethren to this matter for two reasons: 1. We have about reached the close of another volume, which is the time for all to see that their accounts are squared up, and advance payments made. 2. We have reached a favorable season of the year. Judging from our receipts for years past, the brethren find the months of November and December the best time to meet their obligations at the Office. Farmers especially, if they are to have means at any season of the year, will have it at a time when their crops are harvested and well in the market. We believe that all that is necessary on the part of most, is a little attention to the matter, and a resolution to attend to it at once, before it is forgotten, and even before the next mail leaves.

As each one has his account with his address on the paper, we would say to all, Look at your pasters; and consider that every one on which the figures do not stand as high as 32-1, is a bill sent for collection. From all such we expect to hear immediately, either in the form of remittances or reports of inability to pay. The same liberal terms as heretofore will be continued to those who are not able to pay full price; that is, they can have it for what they can pay; and if they are not able to pay anything, they can have it free. But it cannot be considered requiring too much, to ask such to report their wishes in the matter, every six months, that we may not incur the expense of sending free papers longer than they are received and read with interest. We make these terms because we have faith in the brethren, 1. That all will pay full price, or as near to it as they are able; and 2. That those who have means will cheerfully make up by donations what is required to send the paper to the worthy poor free, or for less than full price; and we would take this opportunity to invite such to forward their free-will offerings, that the poor may be provided for, bearing in mind while they do so, two scriptures: The Lord "loveth a cheerful giver," and "He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord."

At the close of this volume it will be necessary to stop all papers not paid up as far as 30-1, the continuance of which is not requested before that time. Again we say, Let us hear at once from all concerned.

Let no one take exception to this article, as if it was a dun. It is not a dun, but only a statement of how matters stand collectively, which the brethren, considering only their individual cases, might be in danger of overlooking, but which they should understand, in order to see the importance of acting promptly and energetically in the matter. J. M. A.