Your ShelfYour Projects

An Open Letter

5%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 36.

Read the full edition

An Open Letter

By C. H. Jones

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL., Aug. 21, 1906.
The burning of the Pacific Press seems to have touched a tender chord in the hearts of all our people. Hundreds of letters have come to us from all parts of the country expressing sorrow and sympathy, and inquiring what could be done to assist us in this our time of need.
Our brethren and sisters seem to regard the calamity as a personal loss, and they are anxious to have a part in restoring the destroyed institution. These letters are a source of great comfort and encouragement to us, and inspire faith and courage in our hearts, and give us a desire to take hold anew and push the work more energetically than ever before.
We know that our people are anxiously waiting to learn what our plans are for the future. We wish to say that we have not been idle by any means. Our board of directors, together with leading brethren, have been studying the situation carefully, and seeking the Lord to know what he would have us do.
To meet pressing demands, temporary buildings have been erected, and we have already two large cylinder presses, one linotype, one job-press, a paper-cutter, and wire stitcher in operation. With these we can go on with the work of publishing our periodicals, and do some book work as well. Machinery for our electrotype foundry and bindery has also been ordered, so within the next month we expect to have quite a little plant in operation. By running these machines night and day we can turn out a large amount of work.
In the matter of rebuilding, many questions are to be taken into consideration. We have reached a crisis in our work, and the directors do not feel like taking all the responsibility. We have therefore decided to call a special meeting of the stockholders to convene here at Mountain View, Monday, Sept. 10, 1906, at 2 p. m., at which time definite action will be taken in regard to rebuilding, raising funds, etc.
In the meantime, we must not be idle. The terrible calamities that are coming upon the world so rapidly have alarmed the people, and many are anxiously inquiring what these things mean. Never have we found them more ready, yea, more anxious to hear and read about these things, than now. Never have our own people been aroused and stirred to action as now, and now, just now, is the opportune time to give them something to do to get the truth before the people.
At a recent meeting of the General Conference Publication Committee a plan was suggested which will not only help the Pacific Press financially, but will at the same time aid in spreading the message. The plan in brief is this:—
To set the machinery of the denomination in motion in favor of a strong, united effort to increase the circulation of our periodicals:—
  1. In placing the REVIEW AND HERALD in every Sabbath-keeping family.
  2. In increasing the circulation of The Signs of the Times in every State equal to twice the membership of the conference.
  3. In making a special effort to increase the circulation of the Watchman, especially in the Southern and Southwestern Union Conferences.
  4. And also to make an earnest effort in behalf of Life and Health and Liberty.
The Signs of the Times is recognized as our pioneer missionary paper. From the very beginning, with hardly an exception, it has been published at a loss, and will continue to be until the subscription list has been largely increased. In view of our great need just now, and the fact that The Signs of the Times has proved itself to be one of the most effective agencies in getting the truth before the people, it would seem to be right and proper to make this paper a special feature in the great missionary campaign this fall, and urge our people everywhere to put forth an earnest effort to raise the subscription list to at least twice the membership of each conference.
Before the fire the Pacific Press was doing a large amount of commercial work, but this has now all been swept away. At the last meeting of our board of directors, the question of commercial work in the future was carefully considered, and the following definite action taken:—
“Whereas, Giving the last great threefold message to the world demands the best energies and the individual attention of God’s people, more especially of those directly engaged in its organized work; and,—
“Whereas, This office was established for the purpose of giving this message to the world; and,—
“Whereas, Whatever may have been expedient in the past, the time now demands that all the facilities of the office and the talents, energies, and ability of its employees be devoted solely to the work for which the institution was established, therefore,—
“Resolved, That from henceforth commercial work shall be eliminated from the office of the Pacific Press, and that by commercial work shall be understood all work outside the regular organized work of the message, or such work as shall not be approved by the publishing committee of the institution.”
We might add that it is our purpose to adhere strictly to this declaration of principle; and from the sentiments expressed in nearly all the letters we have received since the fire, we believe this action will meet with the approval of our brethren and sisters everywhere. We also feel that we have the approval of God in taking this stand.
With a clear conscience we can now take hold of the work of rebuilding the institution, and call upon our brethren and sisters to assist us. Not only do we believe it will mark a new era in our publishing work, but we shall be able to do more and better denominational work and get it out more promptly; and we believe our brethren and sisters everywhere will respond to the call to give these publications a wide circulation, and working together in this way, and in God’s name, the last message will be given to the world speedily. This is the sole reason for which our publishing houses exist, but we have been slow in learning the lesson.
We wish to say that The Signs of the Times will ever be true to its name, not only giving the message in its fulness, but also from time to time calling attention to the physical, moral, and spiritual condition of the world, the terrible calamities that are coming upon it, and showing what these things mean in the light of prophecy, and pointing the reader to the only sure Refuge.
We have a band of faithful workers here at the Pacific Press, and we all feel like humbling our hearts before God and learning the lessons he would have us learn from this great calamity. We are cast down, but not discouraged. Our hope was never brighter nor our faith stronger in the message than it is today, and we believe that there is a bright future before us if we continue humbly to walk close to the Master’s side.
Our eyes are upon him, and we are listening to the still, small voice, and desire to move out in his opening providences.                                                                 C. H. JONES.