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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 9.

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Editorial

By Editor

“THE LORD gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Ps. 68: 11.
To publish is to make known, to proclaim, not merely to print, as the word is now commonly used. But it includes the circulation of literature, one of the greatest agencies of making known the message.
THE margin of the text gives the more literal rendering, “Great was the army of those that published it.” The word army suggests an organized, systematic, extensive work, carried forward by many companies, all working together. And our system of canvassing work, world-wide in its operation, fits the idea exactly.
THE beginning of our book canvassing work has been thus stated by the secretary of our general Publishing Department:—
In the year 1879 the word of the Lord came to the leaders through Mrs. E. G. White, stating that the time had come for advance steps to be taken in the publication of the message; that larger books should be prepared, illustrated, and put up in popular form; and that they should be sold from house to house by agents. Two years later, in 1881, at a camp-meeting held in the State of New York, plans for the development of the subscription book business were arranged by Brother George King, our pioneer canvasser, who recently fell with the harness on in New York City. Elder J. N. Loughborough tells of having seen this dear brother going from one to another on the camp-ground, with two little black-covered books under his arm. They were the first copies of “Thoughts on Daniel” and “Thoughts on Revelation,” as they were first bound up separately and sold as trade books. Brother King urged that these two books be bound together in one volume, and illustrated, and sold from house to house by agents.
THAT started the work. In the REVIEW of March 28, 1882, Elder Geo. I. Butler wrote:— A beginning is now being made. We have one book prepared for this purpose. “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” combined in one volume, is now being issued from the press especially to occupy this field.
And again, in the REVIEW of April 11, Elder Butler urged the importance of this new department of work:—
We are glad to hear good news from those who are engaged in this work. We look for a great sale of this book in the near future. It seems to us the time has come to sell thousands upon thousands of this most valuable and interesting volume. We expect steps will be taken at our Western camp-meetings to organize a canvass for this book. We hope to have some person present to give instruction upon the subject, and help those who want to engage in selling it. This is no mere money-making scheme, no speculation. With us it assumes the proportion of a religious duty to get the light before the world on the glorious subject of prophecy. It must be done. Our books containing light and truth must be put into the hands of the honest in all parts of the world. We want those who have thoughts of entering this branch of the work of God to make a note of this, and shape their business for it, and be present at these meetings.
AND so the work has spread, until a great army is in the field, of various nations and tongues, placing the message-filled books in the homes of the people. Indeed, it has been no spirit of commercialism, no money-making motive, that has built up this system of work, but the one overwhelming obligation laid upon hearts to use every means possible, and to make every sacrifice, to hasten the message to the world, and win blood-bought souls to eternal life.