Notes of Progress by E. R. Palmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

Notes of Progress

By E. R. Palmer

This is the last summary for the year 1906. It has been a good year for our publishing interests all over the world. In the United States, December is very distinctly a month for deliveries; therefore the record for orders taken is small; but Australia, Great Britain, Germany, and South Africa appear with a strong report, and have helped us to make up a summary which is very encouraging for the last month in the year.

Book Sales for 1906

It is too early to forecast with any degree of definiteness what the reports from our publishing houses will show the sales of literature to have been during 1906. Sufficient has come to hand to indicate that the year was a very prosperous one. The sales for 1905 amounted to $548,067.03, a gain of $111,456.35 over 1904.

We have received reports from six of the union conferences in the United States, and in these unions there is shown an advance of thirty-three and one third per cent over 1905. If this increase should hold good as an average all over the world, the sales for 1906 would come very close to the record made in 1891, when the sales amounted to $819,749. The prospects for 1907 are very encouraging. Without an exception our workers are reporting excellent prospects. May the Lord greatly bless in the institutes being held in the various States, and particularly in our schools. Let us all unite in the good work of rebuilding and strengthening every feature of our field and office work, so that it may be carried forward efficiently and successfully, and let us unite in praying and working to the end that at least a million dollars' worth of our publications shall be placed in the homes of the people during 1907.

Another Bookmen's Convention

According to appointment, another bookmen's convention was held in the college building at College Place, Wash., December 15-22. This convention was designed primarily for the field missionary agents and other laborers particularly interested in the tract and missionary work in the North Pacific Union Conference. An invitation, however, was sent out to others in the Pacific Press territory, and we were glad to meet Brother Cochran, manager of the Kansas City branch of the Pacific Press, Brother Bellah, who has recently been appointed general agent of the Central Union Conference, and Brother Hebbard, the field missionary agent of Nebraska. Although the number attending this convention was not large, yet the character of the work done bids fair to have a wide and powerful influence in the publishing work during 1907 in the territory west of the Mississippi River.

The brethren united in a close study of the fundamental principles of field work, the selection, training, and management of canvassers, keeping of proper records, and the proper conducting of business features. While pursuing this close study of details, the Spirit of God came into all the meetings and gave that mold and strength to our work which is so vital to its success.

The visiting brethren were entertained in the college home, and appreciated very much, indeed, the privilege of meeting such a large company of enthusiastic

students. There are fifty-one more students in the school up to date than the entire enrolment last year. This seems to be about the general record in all our schools, which in itself is a great omen of good. The faculty of the school gave the visitors every possible opportunity for meeting the students in private and in public. One study hour of forty minutes, and sometimes two such periods, were given in the chapel each morning for general instruction and practical talks with the young people.

Sabbath, January 19, was a good day both for the school and for the church. In the morning the writer spoke on the subject of Individual Responsibility and Personal Service. In the afternoon there was an experience and consecration meeting. The entire congregation of over three hundred persons expressed by rising to their feet a determination to have some part during this year in circulating our publications. Fifty-four persons consecrated themselves wholly for service in the field, and many testimonies gave the true ring of a burden for souls. The possibilities for good work are almost unlimited in the Northwest. We earnestly pray that the power of God's presence may make efficient the efforts of our brethren who are putting their shoulders to the wheel.

E. R. PALMER, Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.