Review to the Poor by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 24, 1871

Review to the Poor.

By James White

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see; The blind receive their sight, and the lame do walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Matt. 11: 4, 5. Among the wonderful things which John’s disciples witnessed in Jesus Christ, was the fact that the poor had the gospel preached to them. The gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, whether it be by the living preacher, or by the press, is free, especially to the poor. And it is the happy privilege of those who have property, and ability to obtain still more, to send the gospel to the poor. There are worthy poor, and unworthy poor. And there are those who will plead poverty for the sake of being supported, when they can as well help themselves. We pity the really worthy poor, for the reason that there are so many miserable unworthy poor; and those also whose detestable penuriousness leads them to plead poverty to save a little expense. These are an evil and a misfortune to both the worthy poor, and to those also who desire to assist the Lord’s poor.

But we must make the best of these evils, act as judiciously as possible, and be sure not to get stingy because unworthy subjects share some of our liberalities. God requires us to give. We must give as wisely as possible, and leave the matter for the judgment to make all right with those who can help themselves, but take advantage of our liberalities. The REVIEW must be sent to the poor. Those who have means that they can spare, will give it freely for this object.

We call on all our subscribers who have not complied with the terms of the REVIEW, the Instructor, and the Reformer; namely, to pay in advance, to do so as soon as possible. There are due on these periodicals not less than twelve thousand dollars. The Association needs this money, and must have it. These accounts must be settled up. Some who are in debt for our periodicals are ordering them stopped. This meets neither law nor justice in the case. We simply state to one and all, that when your accounts are settled, then we will discontinue your periodicals if you request it. The courts have long since decided that any person continuing to receive a periodical through the post-office, becomes responsible for the payment of the subscription price of the periodical.

Each week there is given, in connection with the subscriber’s name, the Vol. and No. to which each one has paid. When the time for which they have paid, or others for them, is up, if they want the paper stopped, they should notify the postmaster, and refuse to take the paper from the office; and then it is the postmaster’s business to notify the publishers. This is the course provided by law.

We admit that the best course for publishers to adopt is, to drop all subscribers when the time for which they have paid is up. And this course would have been taken at this Office long since, had it not been for the pleadings of a hundred and one who have written stating that they were not ready to pay just then; but if we would wait, they would pay up soon. But, notwithstanding such requests, we shall probably adopt the strict, pay-in-advance system as soon as all accounts are settled. And here we state the terms of settlement. The only way for those who are able so to do, is simply to pay up what they owe. And if they want the periodicals continued, just forward the advance pay. We would prefer that subscribers should pay one year in advance, rather than one volume in advance, as this would save our clerks one-half the work in keeping subscribers’ accounts.

But with the poor we propose to settle on the most liberal terms. First, we require of them to report themselves, or get some one to report them, to this Office, by letter. We want a brief statement of their circumstances and inability to pay. And if they wish our periodicals, they will please state their wishes. Second, the Association will give the poor one-half of their past indebtedness, and charge the other half to a fund to be created to furnish our periodicals to the poor. For current volumes we shall charge full prices to this fund. Following, will be seen brief statements of the conditions and the wishes of several, and the amounts to be charged to the fund up to this date.

And now we call upon the friends of the poor, and of our publishing interests, to forward their free-will offerings, to meet the amounts given to furnish our periodicals to the poor, as they shall be reported from time to time. The officers of all our churches should look after their worthy poor, and see that they are reported. We expect to be imposed upon by some unworthy persons; but the friends of the cause can help us by reporting both the worthy and the unworthy who receive our periodicals without paying for them.

Jackson Banks, Montcalm Co., Mich., is in arrears, and wants REVIEW, Instructor, and Reformer, stopped till he can pay up. We bring his REVIEW and Instructor account up to close of present volume. Amount $4.51.

Widow E. E. Huffman, Jackson Co., Mich., writes that she likes the REVIEW, but cannot pay for it. $1.00.

W. S. Spencer, Wis., has a large family to support, and wants the REVIEW stopped till he can renew his subscription. $1.25.

Ellen M. Morse, Summit Co., Iowa, states that the REVIEW is a welcome visitor, but her circumstances will not admit of her taking it longer. $2.00.

J. A. Strong, on account of sickness, cannot pay for the REVIEW. $3.50.

Electa L. Lane, Montcalm Co., Mich., promises to pay for REVIEW when she can earn it by taking in washing. $3.88.

Fred Hall, Lenawee Co., Mich., says the REVIEW is their only preacher, and they are the only Sabbath-keepers in the place. Wants the paper, but has not the money to pay. $1.00.

J. H. Thompson, Mich., still wants the paper. Is not able to pay. $3.32.

H. L. Doty, Steuben Co., Ind., writes that he has had REVIEW a long time without paying for it. Would pay if he could. $6.24.

Eliza A. Bryant, loves the REVIEW, has an aged mother to take care of, night and day; therefore cannot go out to work to earn money to pay for REVIEW. $4.00.

T. R. St. Clair, of Maine, is sick, confined to his room, and pleads to have the Reformer continued. $1.00.

H. V. Trembley, Mich., likes “the REVIEW very much;” says, “It has been the means of bringing me into the truth.” Wants it continued. $2.40.

J. J. Spaulding, of Maine, says he has done no work for two years; is supported by friends. The REVIEW is his only preacher. $6.00.

Olive Rogers, Hillsdale Co., Mich., says she cannot pay for the REVIEW; has had it several years, and thinks it is asking too much to have it continued. $6.00.

M. A. Addison, of Ct., says they cannot part with the REVIEW; but, owing to sickness, have fallen behind in paying for it. She sends $1.00, promising more, and wants the Reformer. $4.08.

Louisa N. Buzzell says that some one ordered the REVIEW for them; that they cannot pay for it. Her husband has been sick three years, and her health is poor. She says they will miss it very much; that when she read to her husband what she had written, he replied, “Well, we have some old ones in the house. We will read them.” They are aged and poor. $2.62.

A. L. Burroughs, Vt., says she has the Instructor, and her very aged father receives the REVIEW. She says: “If you will send them, we will be very thankful; if not, we will not complain.” $2.00.

S. D. Smith, Minn., has a few books which he keeps in circulation. As the result, four families have embraced the Sabbath the past year. He says the REVIEW comes laden with precious truth; but that he will have to give it up, as he cannot pay for it. $4.00.

Jane Nichols, Gratiot Co., Mich., has read the REVIEW for twenty years; but is now too poor to pay for it. $3.50.

John Coy says: “I do not know how to reconcile myself to part with the second-best earthly friend,—the Bible first, the REVIEW second.” “My family are in limited circumstances, and bad health.” $2.88.

Henry Luce, Iowa, cannot pay for the REVIEW, past, present, or future; but does not like to do without it. $4.75.

Mrs. A. Waters, Mich., expresses great thankfulness for the paper. Is poor; cannot pay now; but hopes to be able to pay some time. $2.72.

T. E. Thorp, North-western Kansas, wants the paper continued. Is very poor, and cannot pay now. $5.00.

Phebe Northup writes that sickness and doctors’ bills prevent her from paying for the REVIEW this year. We will continue it, and send the Health Reformer, which is a great thing to stop doctors’ bills. $1.74.

Catherine Rich, of Kansas, writes that she has lost the use of her left hand to a great degree, so that she cannot earn money. She thanks God and unknown friends for sending her the REVIEW. She says she loves the truth, and is striving to live it out. “The precious paper is all the preacher we have. It cheers my lonely heart.” $1.50.

We also add Julia Hamchett, Iowa, $2.86; Sarah M. Fuller, Ohio, $5.50; H. Hickok, Minn., $4.80; Peter Enfield, Iowa, $1.50; T Rose, Iowa, $1.50. Total, $97.11. For this object we give $10.

JAMES WHITE, Pres’t S. D. A. P. A.