The International Publishing Association
By E. T. Russell
THE corporation known as the International Publishing Association was formed at Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 6-9, 1903. I will state briefly the steps that led to the formation of this association. 1. The General Conference held at Oakland, Cal., March, 1903, provided for the formation of a committee of fifteen to have charge of the foreign publishing work in America. Six of these committeemen were to be appointed by the General Conference Committee, and nine by the Central Union Conference Committee. In due time the committeemen were appointed as recommended, with two additional members. 2. Through a call made by W. C. White, chairman of the Publishing Committee of the General Conference, and the president of the Central Union Conference, the committee met at Grand Island, Neb., September 6-9, and formed the International Publishing Association. The action of this committee in the creation of the association, and in laying plans for placing the foreign work on a firm basis, was indorsed by the General Conference Council held at Washington, D. C., in October, 1903. At this council the needs of the work were considered, and actions were passed recommending that a general donation of six thousand dollars for this work be called for the first Sabbath in February, that should this collection amount to more than the sum called for, the surplus be donated to the work in Washington, and that each of the foreign papers solicit donations from its own people. The object of this association is to print, purchase, and sell religious, health, and educational literature throughout the United States in the German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, and other foreign languages. Thus it will be to these different nationalities represented in the denomination what the Review and Herald Publishing Company and the Pacific Press Publishing Company are to the English-speaking people. The association has purchased and fitted up a building at College View, Neb., as economically as possible, in which to do their work. In this they have set an example that is commendable. In fact, no means has been expended unnecessarily for outward show, yet they have a good, neat, commodious plant in which to do their work. They need six thousand dollars on or before April 1 in order to meet certain obligations, and be prepared to do efficient work. For years our foreign brethren have contributed liberally to conference and institutional work. Our sanitariums and publishing houses represent the sweat, toil, and sacrifice of these brethren as well as of the English brethren. In times of necessity they have shared our denominational burdens, and when appeals have been made for means with which to assist any worthy enterprise, they have responded liberally. The money that has been used thus far in the work of the foreign publishing association has been donated by our foreign brethren. They have taken hold of the work nobly, and we feel assured that they will continue to lift with heart and hand until the work is done. Shall we not assist them by a liberal contribution Sabbath, February 6? I am sure this will be pleasing to the Lord. May the Lord stir the hearts of our brethren to abound in the grace of giving at this time for the benefit of this needy enterprise.