Italian and Bohemian “Signs of the Times” Magazines by J. R. Ferren

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

Italian and Bohemian “Signs of the Times” Magazines

By J. R. Ferren

THE publication of Signs of the Times magazines in the Italian and Bohemian languages marks the beginning of new advancement for our missionary work among these nationalities in this country. It was just before the burning of the International Branch of the Pacific Press at College View, Nebr., that final steps were taken for the publishing of these magazines regularly. Copy was in hand. The needs on the part of our Bohemian and Italian evangelists were just as great after the fire as before. The manuscript destroyed was quickly rewritten, illustrations selected, and arrangements made for printing in Chicago. Now, a few weeks later, we are glad to announce that these two magazines are ready, and their circulation has already begun.

It would seem that the Italian magazine, I Segni dei Tempi, is sure to be a powerful agency in reaching the several million Italians in the United States. Thousands of substantial Italian families are reading their Italian newspapers. A magazine in their language dealing with our times and events in the light of Scripture will find a ready entrance to many homes. Our people are appreciating this, and orders are coming from different parts of the country. We earnestly hope that all our churches and workers within reach of Italian families or communities will include the Italian Signs of the Times in their missionary plans.

The Bohemian magazine Znamení času is issued for the first time. Elder Paul Matula, of New Jersey, and his associates have been anxious for a magazine. They have printed special editions and circulated large quantities of them, but they desired something regular. The first one thousand copies of this first edition were used to fill a rush order given by the Bohemian church at Irvington, N. J. Their zeal and earnestness are indeed an inspiration. When stirred with the third angel's message, our Bohemian brethren and sisters show the same loyalty and devotion as their forefathers manifested when standing with John Huss in the Reformation, and suffering severe persecutions. The Bohemians in this country are appreciated as citizens. They are liberty-loving, industrious, and as a rule well educated. When won to the truth, they become earnest Christian workers. Will not our English churches and people generally assist these Bohemian believers in carrying the truth to the hundreds of thousands of their people in this country?

We should like to receive a large number of regular yearly club subscriptions for the Italian and Bohemian magazines. These would help in a special way just now in securing our privilege of mailing these publications as second-class matter. Subscription and club prices on either of these magazines are as follows: Single subscription, 40 cents a year (50 cents to Canada and foreign countries); club subscriptions of from 5 to 50 copies, 5 cents a copy per issue (6 cents to Canada and foreign countries); 50 or more copies, 4 cents a copy per issue (5 cents to Canada and foreign countries).

Orders should be sent to your tract society.

J. R. FERREN,

Circulation Manager, International Branch, Pacific Press Pub. Assn.