Hunan (China) Periodical Work by S. G. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1916

Hunan (China) Periodical Work

By S. G. White

THE work with periodicals in the province of Hunan during the year 1915 has been greatly blessed of God, and good advancement has been made. We are trying to organize our forces for efficient service, so that a foundation may be laid for a solid, substantial work.

Early in the year, because our club of Chinese Signs was greatly reduced, many thought the canvassing work in Hunan had received a setback, but we were merely searching for a solid base upon which to build, and felt that one of the corner stones to success would be to sell only up-to-date papers as current issues, and refuse to allow the canvassers to use papers which were months old.

The result, we are glad to say, has proved a great blessing to the canvassers; a greater and cleaner work is accomplished, and the work of God is placed in a better light before outsiders. It has also helped the workers to appreciate its sacredness and their obligations. Our club of Chinese papers is gradually increasing. We find that the value of periodical sales and subscriptions taken this year during the months of May, June, July, and August is over 2,220 strings of cash, while for the same months of 1914 it was less than 900 strings. Thus we have more than doubled the value of sales. This work has been done with the same number of laborers, but the amount of help given from mission funds for traveling expenses has been more than $100 less for the four months. Besides this saving of $100 Mexican, the mission will receive from the canvassers on the papers and subscriptions over 400 strings of cash, while last year all the proceeds went to the worker. The tithe also from these workers will be greater, although our bills from the publishing house will be larger.

This success has brought encouragement to the canvassers, for it has allowed a fair Chinese salary to all who have put in full time. It has also been a relief to those in charge of the work, for not a single canvasser has made request for financial assistance. God's blessing has been with these fellow workers,

and their working to a higher standard is preparing their hearts and making better records possible in the future.

Outlook for Next Year

Beginning with October of this year fifty per cent of all sales made and subscriptions taken will revert to the mission. This may separate two or three from our faithful band, but the majority will be glad to cooperate, for they have already experienced the fact that the more they help the greater they are blessed. We, on our part, are already laying plans to enable them to do their very best work, and expect to see Hunan thoroughly canvassed within the coming year. The province is being divided into districts sufficiently large to constantly support two workers, and still small enough to be covered three or four times in one year. We shall endeavor to protect all by not allowing any to overstep the territory assigned them. The work of the four months just past has been devoted largely to the taking of subscriptions, more than 5,000 yearly subscriptions having been passed on to the publishers. It is planned to organize so that greater numbers of single copies may be sold; thus from our meeting this fall until next autumn, millions of doors will have a visit from the King's messenger with the invitation, Come, prepare, for the supper is almost ready.

S. G. WHITE.