The Third Bookmen’s Convention by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1909

The Third Bookmen’s Convention

By E. R. P.

THE third bookmen’s convention of the present season was held in Kansas City, Mo., January 11-18. Although this has been called a bookmen’s convention, it may more properly be called a publishers’ convention. Delegates were present from the General Conference Publishing Department, from the Pacific Press main office and its branches, general agents and field agents from the Central, Northern, and Western Canadian union conferences, and general and field missionary secretaries from the same territory. Several union and State conference presidents and State tract society secretaries were present; and all united in an earnest, enthusiastic study of the publishing work in all its most important interests in the field.

This was the first time these representatives from all the Pacific Press territory east of the Rocky Mountains have met together in convention. The occasion was a very profitable one, and was greatly enjoyed.

It appears that the experiences during 1908 in meeting difficulties, and overcoming them in the name of the Lord, have given new life and power to the workers, and have brought a new era of courage and confidence into this department of our work.

The most important lines of study conducted during the convention might be summarized as follows:—

Reports of progress, and outlines of general plans.
The selection of books to be handled as leaders during 1909, and a careful study of the general principles these books contain, and their best selling points.
Study of the general principles of Christian salesmanship.
Round-table council on methods of work.
Organization and plans of work in organizing the lay members of the denomination for the sale of periodicals, forty-per-cent books, and tracts.

This last item was a new feature of our convention work, this being the first time, we believe, when missionary secretaries have met together in convention. We believe that the time will soon come when the church tract and missionary work will be so revived that it will stand upon an equally sound basis of organization and education with our subscription book work.

On the night of the third day of the convention, the Kansas City church, in which the convention was being held, was badly damaged by fire. This misfortune will cause great inconvenience to the Kansas City church. The loss was fully covered by insurance, and the adjusters have expressed their willingness to adjust the claim as soon as the loss can be approximated.

The convention was transferred to the rear part of the Pacific Press Publishing Association’s office, and there was but little interference with the regular program.

H. H. Hall, manager of the book department of the Pacific Press; James Cochran, manager of the Kansas City Branch, and Carl E. Weaks, general agent of the North Pacific Union Conference, with the assistance of many other willing workers, had made thorough preparation for this convention, and all its features worked out well, and we trust will result in giving a great impetus to the already prosperous work in the Pacific Press territory.

E. R. P.