Giving the Message by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 24, 1904

Giving the Message

By Editor

THE Testimonies state that the time has now come for “publications containing the truth to be scattered like the leaves of autumn.” The special number of The Southern Watchman to be published about the first of May, on the second coming of Christ and the signs just preceding it, will be filled with present truth from cover to cover; yet it will be presented in such a way as not to arouse prejudice. Its object will not be to present masterly arguments in language that only the learned can understand, but to give the message in such a simple, clear-cut, comprehensive manner that “he who reads will understand.”

The work on this special issue is progressing nicely, and no efforts are being spared to make this number one that will sell at sight. It will be well illustrated, and the matter that it will contain will be just what is wanted at this special time. There is no question about its being the best seller that we have ever had in the way of a paper. The events that are now taking place throughout the world certainly afford most excellent opportunity for placing in the hands of the people something pertaining to the special signs of our times. The war in the East, the agitated condition of all the nations, the great city fires, the labor troubles, and other startling events that are now becoming so numerous, are all permitted for a purpose. The public mind is aroused, and there will never be a more opportune time for the circulation of our literature than during the next few months. We trust that these things will be fully realized by every Seventh-day Adventist, and that this special, message-giving issue of the Watchman may have such a wide circulation as to mark the beginning of a new epoch in the scattering of our publications “like the leaves of autumn.”

Although this number will contain twenty-four pages, be profusely illustrated,

and printed in two colors, the retail price will be only five cents a copy. It seems to us that such an issue as this, printed in colors, to be sold at a nickel a copy, ought to have a circulation of at least half a million. We believe that this can easily be done by a united effort. As the month of May is usually the most pleasant time of year, it will afford a favorable opportunity of getting out and circulating the paper. It will be furnished as follows: 5 to 24 copies to one address, 4 cents a copy; 25 or more copies to one address, 3 cents a copy. Thus, 25 copies would cost 75 cents, and could be sold for $1.25; 100 copies would cost $3, and could be sold for $5.

There may be some, however, who can not go out with the paper, but who would like to take part in its circulation. Such persons may send in a list of names, and single copies will be sent directly to the names given, at the following rates: 1 to 24 copies, 5 cents a copy; 25 to 99 copies, 4 cents a copy; 100 or more copies, 3½ cents a copy. This is an excellent and inexpensive way of doing missionary work, and it will be the aim of the publishers to make this special number as attractive as possible, so that those who receive a copy will not fail to read it. It will be appropriate to send to all classes, and we certainly hope that it may have the circulation that the time and subject demand.

There may be given two reasons for publishing this special issue: first, the giving of the message in such a way as to reach many who would not receive it in any other way; second, to meet the issues of the present hour while the minds of men everywhere are being stirred on account of the tremendous happenings that are occurring before our eyes almost daily. We certainly have an opportunity now of placing in their hands that which will let them know that these things are the signs which show that the “coming of the Lord draweth nigh,” and will lead them to prepare for that event. We therefore trust that all our brethren and sisters will unite heartily in this effort.

Send in your orders now, as they will be filled in the order in which they are received. They may be sent to the Southern Publishing Association, 1025-27 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn., or through your State tract society.