The Magazine Summary by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

The Magazine Summary

By E. R. P.

This is the first summary for the new year, 1910. The totals are not all we might desire, and yet they represent a great work, which is taking a strong, healthy hold upon the hearts of our people. This stormy season of the year is more difficult for our magazine sellers than for the book canvassers, for a large portion of the canvassing is done on the street and at the door of private homes.

It was to be expected, also, that the January summary would show a decline, on account of the advance in prices. We do not mean by this that less magazines would be sold because of the advance in prices; this has not been our experience. Our work has moved on in its steady, consistent course without interruption from necessary changes in prices. However, the old prices on magazines placed a heavy premium upon quantities, and many agents purchased more copies than could be sold in one month, in order to secure the very cheap rate. When this premium was removed, and the same price was charged on all clubs of fifty or more papers, it naturally followed that agents would sell out all the magazines in hand, and order only as many as could promptly be used.

The requirement that cash be sent with the order for magazines contributed also to the same end, and naturally cut down the orders for January. These necessary changes in financial arrangements have not, however, affected the magazine work unfavorably. During the past two years it has secured a strong hold upon the hearts of thousands of our people. There are indications at all the union and local conference

meetings that the plans recommended for the advancement of this work will be taken hold of vigorously. Provision is being made in all the conferences, as far as we have been able to learn, for the thorough organization and handling of the home tract and missionary work and the periodical work.

The Lord has wonderfully blessed every step that has been taken to build up these lines of work. The annual statistical report from the Review and Herald Publishing Association shows that the periodical business of 1909 amounted to one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars, or about seven-thirteenths of the entire output of the association. E. R. P.