Notes of Progress by E. R. Palmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 22, 1906

Notes of Progress

By E. R. Palmer

“WHILE we live, we grow.” When a tree ceases to grow, it dies. Reckoning from the same basis, a publishing work which is growing is alive, and the work that is decreasing is dead.

When we say the work in a certain field is dead, we do not mean that it is entirely stopped, but that it is decreasing; the elements of decay are in it; it is disintegrating and falling to pieces.

It is a good policy to study statistics, comparing our progress with that of others, and then examine our principles, and if we are on the wrong track, we should turn squarely about and make progress.

Our workers will find reason for good cheer in the summary for January, 1906. This month is doubtless the hardest month of the year; particularly in the United States, for our book work; yet in many parts of the United States the work was held at a good, firm standard during the cold wintry months.

There are many blank spaces in this report. Surely the report does not represent the full work being done. Some have neglected, some have forgotten, some have procrastinated, until too late. It will be well if our workers watch the summaries and check up the items from their corner of the field, and see if improvement can not be made.

The bleak Atlantic and Canadian Union Conferences deserve special mention for the good work they have done during January. If this standard is held until the coming of the pleasant spring and summer months, we shall look for a strong rise in the book work along the Atlantic coast during 1906.

The Southern Union shows almost a full report with a fairly good average in several States where the book work is more difficult than in the North. May the Lord bless the work and the workers in the South.

We are glad to see Colorado coming well to the front with the beginning of the new year. Recently Brother A. G. Bodwell, who has had a long experience in the book work, has been called to that State to take charge of the canvassing work. It is doubtful if any State in the Union has greater possibilities for the canvasser than Colorado. Our prayers will follow the workers there during the season.

We must mention again the large company of faithful men and women who are standing by the circulation of our literature in far-away Australia. Last year there were from sixty-five to seventy-five agents in the field, the largest number ever employed in that colony at any one time. This report for last November shows eighty-seven agents in the field, and sales amounting to nearly ten thousand dollars. This stands as the banner month in the history of the Australian work, both in the number of agents employed and in the value of books sold. We rejoice with them in their prosperity, and earnestly pray that they may never take a back step. The sales for next month will be light, for practically the entire force will be employed making their large deliveries.

Reports from all parts of the field indicate that the general tone of our subscription book business is improving. State and union conference agents feel stronger and more confident than one

year ago. Conference committees are more determined that the work shall be a success, and the publishing houses are joining in a more definite way with the workers in the field to build up the prosperity of this department.

We are of good courage, and are confident that the spirit of the first nine verses of the first chapter of Joshua is taking possession of the field.

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