THE REVIEW—ITS ENLARGEMENT AND DIMINUTION.
By John Nevins Andrews
AN explanation of the changes in the size of the REVIEW should have been given to its readers ere this. Some have complained respecting its return to its former size, and perhaps there has been some ground for dissatisfaction inasmuch as the reasons of the change have not been given. It was thought that an addition of four pages in the first case might be of advantage to the cause. This addition was made, and seemed to give very general satisfaction. But it was found inconvenient to print and fold a four-page sheet in connection with an eight-page sheet, and so the matter seemed to require either a return to the simple eight-page form of the REVIEW, or else to make a further enlargement of the paper and print it upon a double sheet, i. e., one that folded in 16 pages. This step was decided upon as an experiment, though it was hoped by those who urged the change, and also by those who favored it, that it would prove a success. To a considerable portion of its readers it was an acceptable change. The REVIEW, besides presenting the things that specially relate to the history of our own people and to the work we are engaged in, did also contain excellent religious matter calculated to interest the general reader, and also much general information relative to the events transpiring in the world. In order, however, to double the size of the REVIEW, it was necessary to increase its price one half, i. e., from $2.00 to $3.00. This bore heavily upon a large class of its readers who are poor. Though offered to such virtually upon their own terms, it was found that many chose rather to drop the paper than to receive it in any sense as a charity. So that many whose moral worth entitled them to our special regard, found themselves necessitated to drop the paper. Another difficulty encountered was that the price was an objection to persons just learning something of the truth, but not yet awakened to its importance. Nor was this the only thing to be considered. We have deemed it our duty to place our publications at a very moderate price; yet from these would arise some income; but instead of using this to publish the enlarged REVIEW, it was thought better for the cause that there should be gratuitous distribution of important tracts. This branch of the work was not therefore to be robbed in order to sustain the other. At $3.00 per year, with those who received it free, and those at half price, the REVIEW was found to be not self-sustaining. It would have been easy to call out donations from our people to sustain the REVIEW in its enlarged size. But with the many objects for which it is to be asked, that are really of vital importance, it was judged best to return to the original size rather than to ask donations to sustain it as enlarged. We could not properly fall below the $3.00, even though donations should be freely given. So this price would continue to stand in the way of a large class of those we desire to reach. Moreover, it is perhaps questionable whether the REVIEW at eight pages, filled with matter right to the point, may not be of more real worth to the cause than a larger sheet of a more miscellaneous character. After prayerful consideration, it was thought best by the trustees to return to the former size. And as the enlargement had been some loss to the Association, it was thought best to simply say that every person should have their credit extended who asked it rather than to extend all, whether they asked or not.