p. 20 | A Great Demand for Religious Literature

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1911

A Great Demand for Religious Literature

By K. C. Russell

The following recently appeared in one of Washington's daily papers:—

“The American Tract Society, just completing eighty-six years, reports very great demand for religious literature, at home in English, Italian, and Polish, and on the foreign mission fields in almost all languages. Millions of copies of tracts and periodicals were issued by it last year, and since its organization it has reached a total of not less than 776,000,000 copies. Imperative demands upon the society are made by workers in China, who declare that twice before has the opportunity come for Western civilization to change and modernize China, and failed for lack of literature. The opportunity coming a third time, leaders there are appealing to England and America for Christian tracts. Thirty tract societies have been set up in the far East, and presses to print Christian literature are run night and day. Some time ago the society declared that not less than $1,000,000 is needed to supply even a part of the demand. In its latest report, issued last week, it declares another million ought to be used in America, in part among immigrants, or $2,000,000 in all. Missionary societies are also joining in the appeal, the purpose being to issue in larger measure than heretofore literature that can be used by all.”

THE PUBLISHING WORK
GRAPHIC OUTLINE - - - 1885-1910 — THE PUBLISHING WORK GRAPHIC OUTLINE - - - 1885-1910

We feel that this call for literature from the various nations of earth ought to be a signal to those who are giving the last warning message to the world to step in and meet the demand.

The call must necessarily include colporteurs and canvassers, that the literature may be placed in the hands of the people of these nations. Who will respond to the call? K. C. RUSSELL.