p. 2 | For the Finishing of the Work by E. R. Palmer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 8, 1915

For the Finishing of the Work

By E. R. Palmer

Our Churches and Literature for the Millions

Possible Results

SINCE the Present Truth Series was begun, we have often thought of the possibilities in connection with the circulation of this series—of what it would mean in the finishing of the work if every believer in this message would become so thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the message that he would go to work in a systematic way with this series.

If only a few copies were used every week by each member in America, say five copies, representing a cost of only two and one-half cents, in one month’s time 1,472,100 copies would be circulated, and reach, according to the estimation of five persons reading each copy, 7,360,500 people. In one year, at this very conservative estimate, 17,665,200 copies would go out, and reach 88,326,000 people—and this by our membership in the homeland only. If it were possible for our people in all lands to join us in even this very limited amount of missionary work, 20,905,200 copies would go out and reach 149,526,000 people in one year.

But all will agree that for a people who are looking for the coming of the Lord, and who know the time is short for the finishing of the work intrusted to them, our estimate of the amount of work in the circulation of this message-filled series is far too low; that it should be at least doubled, which would mean reaching 299,052,000 people every year, and giving them one completed phase of the full message, which would be likely to create a desire for further investigation.

The Plans Demanded

For more than twenty years our people have been admonished through the spirit of prophecy to provide simple plans by which the churches can become the strong factors the Lord intended them to be in giving the last message to the world. It was in attempting to comply with the instruction given in the Testimonies that the Present Truth Series developed, and the plans made for its circulation seem to meet the requirements of the following counsel:—

“The very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If members will cooperate with such plans, and perseveringly carry them out, they will reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase through exercise, and souls will be saved through their efforts.” “God expects his church to discipline and fit its members for the work of enlightening the world. But let no one feel that because he is not educated he cannot be expected to take part in the work. God has a work for you to do. He has given to every man his work. Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand the manner in which they may impart light to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge. As they impart to those in darkness the light which God graciously bestows upon them, they will be confirmed in the faith. A working church is a living church. The Lord God of heaven would have the entire church devising ways and means whereby high and low, rich and poor, may hear the message of truth.”

Simple Plans for Circulation

The three plans for circulation already given through the REVIEW embody systematic personal delivery from house to house, personal delivery at hall and tent meetings, and delivery by workers in advertising tent meetings. The fourth plan provides for work by correspondence. Those who cannot get out with the papers may procure a select list of names to which, with but little expense, they can mail the papers regularly as they are published, and occasionally write letters to interested readers. Those who live in places where our conference tract societies are located can take the papers, when ready to mail, to the tract society office, and have them sent out at pound rates—one cent a pound. Where this cannot be done, and any do not care to assume the task of preparing the papers for the mails, or cannot afford the extra prepaid postage, arrangements may be made with the tract societies or publishers to mail the papers for them at the rate of eighty-five cents a hundred, per issue. Or, if the addresses are permanent, and the orders cover the entire series, the papers will be mailed direct by the publishers, upon the order of the tract society, for one cent a copy, per issue, provided the entire term is paid for when the order is made. At this price a list of ten copies of the series of twenty-five numbers (250 papers in all) would be wrapped, mailed, and postage paid for only $2.50, whereas the same amount of matter in tract form purchased and mailed to single addresses, would cost three cents a copy,—two cents for the tract and one cent for the postage,—or $7.50 for the 250 tracts mailed in single wrappers.

Miscellaneous Missionary Work

In addition to the advantages of systematic missionary work by personal delivery, the different issues of the series will be effective in miscellaneous missionary work. It having the advantage of being mailed at pound rates, any issue upon any special subject may be selected and ordered sent by the tract society or publishers at pound rates. Different issues of the series may be, therefore, successfully and economically used in miscellaneous missionary work by mail.

Testimonials

Though the Present Truth Series is only one-half year old, it now has a subscription list of over 60,000, and a total general circulation of 1,075,000 copies. This speaks more emphatically of its approval than can be expressed in words. This result comes from an interest in the field, represented in part by the following statements:—

“I think the Present Truth Series is an excellent little paper, and I shall be pleased to do all in my power to have our tent companies use it. It certainly presents the truth in a clear-cut manner, and I believe will be instrumental in winning souls to the truth.”—F. H. Robbins, President West Pennsylvania Conference.

“In my tent effort this summer, I have planned to use all the Present Truth Series issued. I only regret that the whole series is not finished, so that we could use all this summer. To my mind, the Present Truth Series is the best thing out for reaching the masses with this message. The articles are excellent and up-to-date, and the illustrations are fine; besides, the papers are so cheap that it is within our means now to give to the people the message in printed form. We trust that you will not stop with the subjects as outlined in the leaflet. I believe it will mean that many will have the knowledge of this message and accept the truth who otherwise would not, because of limited means.”—Chas. F. Ulrich, a minister in Pennsylvania.

“I am heartily in accord with the idea of our tent companies’ using the Present Truth Series, and I shall bring this matter to their attention. Some are already using it. We hope that a large number can be used in this way. I think there is nothing better for the price.”—E. Harris, secretary Kansas Tract Society.

“I am thoroughly convinced that the Present Truth Series will become a very effective factor in our city work. We have just ordered three thousand for our work here in Boston, and expect that this will be only a drop as compared with the shower that is to follow. We are planning here to find the best means of reaching the people in a house-to-house canvass of the city. Quite a large number of brethren and sisters have volunteered to devote time to this work, and we hope to be able to keep them employed as much of the time as possible, and also to add to the number from time to time.”—Allen Moon, President Massachusetts Conference.

“Inclosed find one dollar, for which please send me two hundred copies of your Extra No. 5, The Signs of the Times. I congratulate you. It is an extraordinary concentration of information. I may send for two hundred more later.”—R. M. Barton, lay member.

E. R. PALMER.