The Two Summaries by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1911

The Two Summaries

By E. R. P.

NOTE the following points in studying the accompanying summaries:—

The book summary for October shows a gain of nearly $19,000 over the corresponding month of 1910, about two thirds of this gain being in foreign fields.

In North America, nine of the union conferences show a gain over October of last year, and three a loss; while eleven of the foreign fields show a gain, and seven a loss. It is hardly necessary to suggest that leaders in fields showing a loss should question the reasons for it.

Let us all congratulate Brother A. A. Cone, the general agent of the Pacific Union Conference, for bringing his union up in October to the head of the list of the unions in North America. Brother Cone is one of the youngest in experience of our general agents, and has been working to build up the colporteur work in the Pacific Union Conference.

While we congratulate the one at the head of the list, let us speak a few words of encouragement to our brethren in the rear, inviting them to come nearer the front. They may be working equally hard, and may need a word of encouragement just now.

Let us not overlook these splendid reports from our foreign union fields. This is the largest report we have ever published of our foreign work. If the report from Brazil had been received, the total for the foreign fields would have passed $50,000. This work, by our colporteurs abroad means faithfulness, earnestness, and many sacrifices.

The comparative summary grows more interesting every month. The October report is a fine addition to it. This brings the total for the first ten months of 1911 a little above the total for the twelve months of 1910. Compare the figures, year by year, from 1906.

It will be noted in the magazine summary that the sale of magazines during the first ten months of 1911 nearly equals the sale for the twelve months of the preceding year.

The gain in the sales of magazines for the month of October was something over 48,000 copies compared with October of last year. A large proportion of this gain will be found in the mailing list, and in the foreign and miscellaneous sales which are more than double what they were one year ago. We regret, however, that while six of our union conferences in North America show a gain in the sale of magazines, an equal number show a loss.

There is something interestingly human about both of these reports. Like fallible humanity, they have their weak points as well as their strong ones. Seneca, an old-time philosopher, said that “it is good for a man to fortify himself on his weak side.” These summaries point out the weak places which need fortifying. They afford cause for rejoicing, cause for anxiety, food for thought, and a world of opportunities for progress and improvement.

E. R. P.