A Great Center of Influence by Francis McLellan Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 6, 1913

A Great Center of Influence

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

It afforded us pleasure several weeks ago to attend the constituency meeting of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, a report of which appears in this number. We were convinced as never before of the great influence which this association is exerting in connection with this movement. The large amount of printed matter being sent out from the home office and its three branches, and the work being done in preparing literature in other tongues, particularly the Spanish, open before the association a vast field for operation. The splendid record which has been made for the last year shows that it is endeavoring nobly to fulfil its mission as one of the great agencies in the dissemination of gospel light and truth.

It was only a few years ago that the home of the association was in Oakland, Cal. At that time it was doing a comparatively much smaller business in connection with this movement. Much of its energy was consumed in commercial work. There came the decision to leave that populous center with its many evil influences, for a more quiet retreat. Mountain View, a little town on the bay about sixty miles south of San Francisco, was chosen. Here the association made its headquarters, buildings were erected, and much earnest and faithful work was done in the establishment of the plant.

Then came the terrible experiences with earthquake and fire. The plant was

badly shaken, and later burned. The labor of years apparently was swept away as in a moment. But in the hour of disaster there came the resolution to erect another building and to dedicate it wholly to the service of the Master, entirely eliminating work of a commercial character. The blessing of heaven attended this resolution from the first. On the ruins of the former building a more commodious and convenient structure has been erected; and as one walks through the various departments, from editorial office to type-room, bindery, pressroom, and foundry, the busy hum of machinery affords pleasant music because the entire power of every machine and the energy of every worker is devoted to the creation of means and agencies whereby may be spread abroad the knowledge of this blessed truth.

God has abundantly blessed the efforts of the tried and faithful workers,—C. H. Jones, M. C. Wilcox, A. O. Tait, W. N. Glenn, C. M. Snow, L. A. Reed, H. W. Cottrell, H. H. Hall, E. A. Chapman, and others,—who labored long and earnestly, under most trying circumstances, in the establishment of the work in this place.

But the efforts of these men and their faithful office assistants would have availed little had it not been for the devoted agents in the field who have disposed of the products of the establishment. A glance into the earnest faces of the agents assembled on the occasion of this meeting was truly inspiring. Here we saw a company of men representing a large field constituency who are filled with enthusiasm of this message, whose inspiration is the giving of the gospel to their fellows. They leave home and friends; they travel from door to door in rain and shine, meeting welcome and rebuff, not for glory or riches or selfish pleasure, but for the sake of the souls whom they seek to save. To our devoted brethren and sisters who are engaged in this service our hearts go out in sympathy. We need to uphold them continually in prayer.

It was a pleasure at this meeting to listen, as we have been privileged to do so many times before, to the reports of missionary experiences resulting from the distribution of our literature. The results attending the circulation of both the monthly and the weekly Signs of the Times have been most gratifying. Many who read these words have been brought to a knowledge of this message through the excellent instruction contained in our pioneer missionary paper. In the hands of God the Signs of the Times has been an instrument whereby many have been brought to a knowledge of this truth, and its usefulness as a medium of this character was never greater than at the present time.

A special six months' series of articles covering the various doctrinal features of the message, is now being published. We were glad to learn that thousands are taking advantage of the opportunity this offers, and are providing themselves with the paper either for their own reading or to send to interested friends, and thus the circulation is being greatly increased. This surely is as it should be. Our people everywhere should give to the Signs of the Times their hearty support, of which it is well worthy. They should use it for the work for which it is especially designed. No other publication by the denomination can occupy its field. As a paper for personal missionary work and for use in clubs by all our churches it is unexcelled.

We greatly rejoice in the prosperity of our sister institution. We are glad that we can cooperate heart and soul with the earnest men and women, in both the field and the office, who are striving together to make the Pacific Press Publishing Association a great center of light and blessing. F. M. W.