Annual Meeting of the Southern Publishing Association
By L. A. SMITH
This meeting was held at Keene, Tex., February 3, 4. The meeting was called to order Monday evening, February 3, with S. E. Wight, president of the association, in the chair. Following the opening exercises Elder G. F. Watson, in behalf of the Keene church, made an address of welcome to the delegates, which was responded to by the chair. The calling of the roll showed that twenty-seven members of the constituency were present. The manager, R. Hook, Jr., presented the following report for the past year:— “My report of the work accomplished during 1912 is of such an encouraging nature that I feel that we have indeed been laborers together with God and as such have received his blessing, for the printed page has been distributed in larger quantities than ever before. When we stop and consider that the books that we are circulating contain a saving message to the world, our hearts are solemnized and we sense our entire dependence upon our Heavenly Father. “Much time has been spent in prayer, both in the office and by the men in the field. In addition, our brethren and sisters have not forgotten the publishing work at the family altar, and the Lord has answered these united prayers. “When I presented my report one year ago, 1911 was the banner year in our history, and we really thought that if we only held our own in 1912 we should be doing well, but our report today shows that advances have again been made. It has been the first year in our history that we have had no real financial stress. In former years there were many times that we did not know where to raise money to meet pressing obligations. We have never before gone through a year that we discounted all our bills, but during 1912 we have discounted every bill that has been presented. This has meant a saving to the office of $1,087.63. “During 1910 the total retail value of book sales was $161,566.71; for 1911, $191,185.85; and for 1912 it amounted to $238,168.56. The year 1911 showed a gain over 1910 of $29,619.14, while 1912 shows a gain over last year of $46,982.71. “At this point we shall make comparison with previous years; 1907, $137,451.90; 1908, $113,231.94; 1909, $140,892.03; 1910, $161,566.71; 1911, $191,185.85; 1912, $238,168.56. “You will note that the last four years have shown a steady increase. The circulation of the Watchman is also on the increase. “In order to publish a stock of books for fall delivery, we secured loans from Nashville banks to the amount of $11,500. This is the largest sum we have ever secured from the banks, and it was granted cheerfully, with the statement that we could have more if necessary. It is with pleasure that I report these bank loans paid in full several months before the close of the year, about $7,000 being anticipated thirty and sixty days. This has given us a splendid standing with financial institutions, and when we consider that all open accounts have been discounted, you can readily see that our financial record now stands A1 with the business world. “During the year we have printed 220,540 books of all classes, and the total number bound is 182,567. Total number subscription books printed, 104,094. In order to print these books, eight carloads of paper have been required. During 1912, 12,700 gilt books and 41,180 marbled books have been finished. These figures show that we have printed 35,340 and bound 42,067 more books than last year. The number of books marbled is 19,480 more than last year, the number of gilt books is 3,400 less. The above figures are from the standpoint of the manufacturing department. “From the standpoint of sales we find that 198,793 bound books were sold during the year as against 176,405 last year, a gain in volumes sold of 22,388. Our retail sales have averaged per month $19,847.38, per week $4,962, or an average per day of $992.50. We have shipped in the aggregate over thirteen car-loads of books during the year, with a weight of 155 tons—a gain over last year of about fourteen tons. Average weight of books shipped per day, 1,210 pounds, requiring 1,600 packing-boxes for the year. “The actual income received from sales of books and Watchman as shown by ledger is as follows: 1902, $19,608.22; 1903, $23,749.50; 1904, $38,605.51; 1905, $35,605.99; 1906, $46,604.85; 1907, $64,383.48; 1908, $59,979.85; 1909, $65,053.17; 1910, $71,181.33; 1911, $84,432.27; 1912, $87,432.27; total, $596,569.73. “There is no reason why 1913 should not go far ahead of the year which has just closed. What we need, brethren, is a closer walk with God and more colporteurs in the field, and we solicit the support of every union and conference president in helping us to attain this end. In union there is strength. In Ps. 68:11 we read: ‘The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.’ My report has been made possible by the work of a comparatively small company, for I think that in our territory there are only two hundred eighteen colporteurs in the field. If the Lord can accomplish such great things with only a few, what may we look for when the statement made by Sister E. G. White, ‘Where there is now one there should be one hundred in the canvassing work,’ is fully realized? “In closing we give all praise to our Heavenly Father for the success of the work, and pray earnestly for a closer walk with him, that in the years that are left for us to work the results obtained may go far ahead of anything yet reported in the history of our work in this field.” At the conclusion of this report Elder A. G. Daniells spoke in behalf of the General Conference Committee, expressing their appreciation of the work that is being done by the association and by the men who are circulating this literature in the field. The report of the treasurer showed a gain of $9,623.17 for the year, making the present worth of the association $52,352.80. The committee on plans presented the following report, which was adopted:— “1. Whereas, The blessing of God has attended the work of this association during the year past, enabling our treasurer and other officers to show a balance of financial gain and give reports of souls saved as a result of our publishing work,— “Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for his blessing bestowed upon us, and pledge ourselves to greater faithfulness in the future. “2. Whereas, It has been recommended by our sister publishing houses that there be either a raise in price or a reduction in the discount on juvenile books; and,— “3. Whereas, Experience has shown that the cost of manufacture demands such a change, therefore,— “We recommend, That on the 25-cent and 50-cent books, exclusive of ‘Best Stories,’ the prices be raised to 35 and 60 cents, and present discounts be maintained, as in our judgment it would be detrimental to the work in our field to reduce discount. “4. Whereas, There is a need in our territory for another large book, therefore,— “We recommend, The publication of an edition of ‘Patriarchs and Prophets.’ “5. Whereas, Much good is being accomplished by the circulation of the Watchman, therefore,— “Resolved, That we pledge ourselves anew to its hearty support— “a. By endeavoring to secure energetic and efficient agents. “b. By encouraging in every consistent way the agents already in the field. “c. By subscribing for the Watchman ourselves and securing subscriptions for the same whenever and wherever possible. “6. Resolved, That the Southern Publishing Association Board make provision for the annual auditing of the expense accounts of such employees of the association as may be called upon to travel during the year.” It was voted that the board take into consideration the advisability of so amending Article 8 of the by-laws that following the January meeting in 1914, the meetings of the constituency will be held every two years.