Suggestions for Extending the Circulation of Our Papers
By D. T. BOURDEAU
EVERY one professing faith in present truth should hail with joy the present movement for extending the circulation of our periodicals, and should give a practical answer to this question: How can I help forward this movement which must contribute to the furtherance of the glorious work of the third angel's message? It is hoped the following suggestions will help in returning a proper answer to this question. 1. Pray for those who prepare matter for our papers, that they may with cheerfulness, wisdom, and power present the very truths the people need. Pray that you may secure many subscribers for these periodicals. Great wisdom is required to do this work in such a manner as to secure the most telling and encouraging results. Different temperaments, conditions, and circumstances have to be met, and earnest and persevering prayers should be offered with full confidence that God is willing to hear the petitions offered to him for the success of his work in the earth, and to remove every difficulty in our way. As we pray, we must bear in mind that prayers are ineffectual if no special effort is put forth comporting therewith. As we pray, we must think, plan, and work. The greatest drawback that can come to any enterprise is inactivity on the part of those who pretend to be its friends and supporters. There is danger with not a few of shrinking before prompt and hard work because it costs much to perform it. There is where selfishness often comes in, and the greatest blessings are lost. The richest blessings are received in doing that which costs us the most. Could we be saved to-day if Christ had not undertaken our salvation at an infinite cost and sacrifice? Let us, therefore, get out of self and into Christ, and do the work that now occupies our attention, remembering that to wait for a more convenient season, for an easier time, is an excuse of Satan's own invention to keep us from doing what we ought to do immediately. 2. In harmony with the Scriptural exhortation, “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” first labor to lead those who profess faith in the final gospel message and claim to belong to God's remnant people, to take our papers and go immediately to work in getting others to subscribe for them. Thus we shall be putting out our talents to the exchangers by increasing the number of workers for the glorious object in view. 3. With due regard for what the Scriptures say on honoring sacred things bearing the marks of age and priority of existence, and taking in the sense of the Scriptural injunction, Render, therefore, honor to whom honor is due, in which is couched a principle which is applicable to things as well as to individuals, stir up your own veneration and respect, and those of like faith, in favor of our oldest paper, our church paper, THE ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, and first get as many of our own people to subscribe for it as you can, not in the least neglecting our other good papers, which have their special and important missions to fill. 4. Let our ministers and workers stir up believers on this subject in brief, pointed, spicy speeches in public services, defining the respective missions of our different papers, giving an idea of their plans and objects, and quoting from them, especially from the one that they make the special topic for the occasion. Let such services be followed by testimony meetings, giving all full liberty to say something in their own way in favor of our papers, especially encouraging the narration of the experience and the benefits they and others have derived from reading these periodicals. Make this matter a heart-to-heart work by speaking to each separately, especially at his home, where you will have opportunity to inquire into his financial and spiritual condition, and to observe whether there are any obstacles in the way of his taking our papers, and, if there is, to help him in removing them. Our workers should discriminate between the financial conditions of those with whom they work, and not urge those who are cramped financially to take all our papers at one time. With such recommend the good old REVIEW, or the Little Friend; if dealing with little ones, or the Youth's Instructor for the youth. The latter paper can be wisely used with some as an aid in securing their subscription for some of our more advanced papers; and the same is true of the Life Boat and Life and Health. 5. Let all our people go to those whom they are canvassing, with words of courage and good cheer, and never indulge in words bordering onto scolding, even when dealing with delinquents. A face radiant with joy and cheerful with encouraging words usually meets with good favor, and is generally productive of good results; while a frowning face, faultfinding, overurging, and drumming, however good the motive that prompts them and the object in view, are passive, and very often seriously mar the11work, and hinder or defeat its accomplishment. Forced obedience is agreeable neither to God nor to those who view things as God views them. Let us, therefore, not speak nor act in such a way as to cause those whom we are canvassing for our papers or other literature to think that we are forcing them to subscribe. Let us rather, in presenting the attractions and inestimable value of the literature we offer, call for willing, cheerful volunteers, and manifest the principles couched in the proverb, “He that winneth souls is wise.” When a yearly subscription can not be obtained, try for a shorter period; and when a short-time subscription is taken, the reader should be visited and encouraged to extend his subscription to a year. This means, of course, that you are to follow up all your subscribers, and to do in each case as the faithful shepherd does with his sheep. 6. Recognizing, as far as possible, the fact that to him who digs for his spiritual food and pays for it, it is sweet and appreciated, induce those whom you are canvassing to pay for their papers. But even as you do this, you will meet those whose circumstances are such that they can not pay down for the paper; and they will want it very much, and will promise to give the amount needed as soon as possible. You will also meet honest people who hunger and thirst for the very truths contained in the papers, but who feel that they can not promise to pay for them. What can be done under such circumstances? Shall we deprive these hungry, starving souls of the message-filled papers lest we shall have to sacrifice something? If we are to be workers for Christ, we can not refuse the poor the gospel, though it costs us something to give it to them. Few lose anything by becoming responsible, to the extent of their ability, for the subscriptions of these poor people. When they can do no more as individuals, appeal should be made to the church, and the literature be provided from a missionary fund, which should always be bountifully maintained in every society. Never permit honest, hungry, starving souls to perish for want of spiritual food. In this very work the Lord tests you to see whether you love your neighbor as yourself. Will you stand the test?