Untitled article by G. W. AMADON

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, January 21, 1868

THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.

By G. W. AMADON

ACCORDING to previous notices, both in the Review and Instructor, our Secretary has now cut off all subscribers on the Instructor who have not paid up to the beginning of the present Volume,—i. e., to Jan. 1, 1868. In all, some over 800 names have been discontinued. We are very sorry to part company with so many readers, whom perhaps we might assist in the rugged road to Mt. Zion; but could it be expected, after the repeated notices that the “advance-pay system” would be adopted in all cases, that we should continue to send the Instructor to those persons who did not have interest enough to even drop us a line and say whether they wanted it or not? Of course we do not wish to send the Instructor to those who don’t want it. But we would not for twice the subscription price discontinue it to any person who should receive it, and wants it.

In the January Number we stated as follows: “We will send the Instructor FREE to ALL who are NOT ABLE TO PAY, and at HALF PRICE to those WHO ORDER FOR THEIR FRIENDS.” This certainly throws all the responsibility on our patrons, whether they will take the paper or not; and as we remarked in the January Instructor, so we now repeat again, “We do not wish to part company with one of our readers.”

At present, our actual subscription list is some less than 2000 subscribers. Think of this, in connection with the fact that this people probably numbers about twenty thousand! Is there not evidently a lack somewhere? and where is it? and how shall this lack be remedied? We propose that all good Seventh-day Adventists take hold of this matter with a zeal which is worthy of so good a cause.

1. Let the elder of every church, or community of Sabbath-keepers, see that the Instructor is circulated as it should be. If there are poor persons that should have it, let the church assume the responsibility of having it sent to those persons free, at half-price, or as is thought best,—only be sure and have it sent. 2. Let all those who would esteem it a privilege to do something in so good a work, and are able, send the Instructor to their unbelieving friends, and others. To such it will be sent for 25 cents a year. This, considering the quality of the paper used, and the smallness of the type (small type costs much more than coarse type), and the fact that most of the articles are original, makes the paper well worth that price.

We are very much in earnest about the Instructor. Something more must be done. It is not flourishing as it should. Is the fault in the editor, or in the people? or both? If it is in the editor, let him see it, and if he can’t do better, let a new one be chosen as soon as possible; but if the fault is in the people, certainly they should be stirred on the point, and made to understand what their duty is. Let us all look to this matter at once, friends, and see what is required of us.

God bless the youth and children, and may it be in all our hearts to feed Jesus’ lambs. Who will set about this work at once? G. W. AMADON.

P. S. There is one most valuable feature of the Instructor which should not be overlooked, and that is the S. S. lessons for small children, in each number. This will make it especially serviceable to the faithful S. S. teacher. G. W. A.