PROOF READING

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1871

If the readers of newspapers understood one half the difficulties in procuring accuracy, instead of wondering and scolding at mistakes, they would be surprised that there are not more. How few readers appreciate the services of the individual who examines the “proofs” of a paper before it is printed. He is one of the most important agents to the production of a correct literature, and one of whom no reader seems to think. His is the most thankless of all the employments among men. Let him bring out a paper without a fault for weeks and weeks in succession, and nobody thinks of him. But let him allow an error to go uncorrected—as we happened to do in a five-line church item a few weeks since—and immediately he is known to be censured, and his paper subjected to ill-natured criticisms. He has no thanks for his labored patience, but blame if he is not faultless. He is certain of one of two things—forgetfulness or censure.—Ex.