God's Blessing Brings Success by JAS. COCHRAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1908

God's Blessing Brings Success

By JAS. COCHRAN

THAT the guiding hand of God is manifest in the distribution of our literature is very marked when we compare the circulation of our books with worldly publications. In the April number of Munsey's Magazine is an article entitled, “What Has Happened to the American Book Publisher?” From this article I quote the following: “From 1895 to 1900 the American publisher reaped a golden harvest. Before that time a book was considered highly successful if twenty-five thousand copies of it were sold. A sale of fifty thousand copies was astonishing; while only at rare intervals did a book of any sort reach a sale of one hundred thousand copies. But after 1895 there was a notable expansion in book sales. ‘David Harum’ represents the high-water mark. It had a circulation of six hundred thousand copies. How stands the case to-day?—These hopes have not been realized. On the contrary, there has been not merely a decline in the business but an actual ‘slump.’ Very few books to-day attain a sale of fifty thousand copies. The enormous figures of ten years ago seem now like a strange dream to the publishers—unreal, or at the most, only a fascinating and tantalizing reminiscence; and of the books that sell it is only the novels and romances that are conspicuous.”

While the worldly publishers have witnessed a great decline in their book business, the past few years, we have had a wonderful increase in the circulation of books containing the third angel's message. The following figures show the enormous circulation of some of our large books: “Bible Readings,” 1,250,000; “Great Controversy,” 400,000; “Daniel and the Revelation,” 220,000; “Patriarchs and Prophets,” 200,000; “Coming King,” 370,000; “Marvel of Nations,” 90,000; “Heralds of the Morning,” 150,000; “Prophecies of Jesus,” 50,000; “Desire of Ages,” 15,000; health books, 140,000. What is the meaning of this mighty work?—There can be but one meaning. A message is due to the world, and consecrated men and women are giving it. Only a cause that is divine could be so marvelously blessed. JAS. COCHRAN.