Eastward Bound by W. C. White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 28, 1877

Eastward Bound.

By W. C. White

As we take the train at Sacramento and are moving slowly on toward the mountains, Mrs. W. and myself feel like saying a few words to our friends in California.

In looking over the two years spent in the work of the Office in Oakland, we are led to thank our Heavenly Father that he has permitted us to have a part in so important and pleasant a work, and that he has protected us from those great mistakes to which we were exposed by our youth and inexperience in the work. We are not weary of the work, nor do we expect to find warmer or more numerous friends in any other place, but we feel the need of a better education and accept the present as a long sought opportunity to become more thoroughly qualified for future work wherever it may be.

Our leading brethren know that we took responsibilities in the Office with one object in view, namely, to do the work with the greatest possible economy, until other persons qualified by better education and thorough experience should devote themselves to the work. With respect to true, devoted talent in the work, the condition of the Office is far in advance of our fondest hopes of six months ago. Not only are there thorough business men in charge, but there is a well organized force of twenty-two, the majority of whom are not only thorough workmen, but are also earnest Christian Sabbath-keepers. The business management of the Office is left with Bro. Glenn, whose thorough experience in business and as a practical printer, if closely united to and guided by the general plans and far seeing judgment of those long in the cause, will prove invaluable to the interests of the Association.

The editing of the SIGNS will be done by Mrs. L. M. Hall and Miss Della Frisbie, who, with the experience which they have had heretofore, are fully prepared for the work, and will without doubt give new life and interest to the paper.

As our names have been mentioned in connection with the establishment of the European Press, we say frankly that we shrink from the task; not from the labor, hardships and deprivations that will necessarily be connected with the work; for we are perhaps as well prepared to endure these as any; but from the fearful responsibility and perplexity necessarily connected with such a work. For an American already conversant with the French or German, it will be an arduous task to become sufficiently acquainted with the wants of the mission, and so conversant with foreign machinery, as to make a wise selection, and if to this be added the work of organizing a force of printers and book-binders, we think it a “very large contract” and urge upon the General Conference Committee the necessity of selecting some man of age and general experience, to at once begin preparation if not to enter immediately upon the work.

We are sad to know that Elder Andrews has been forced to spend his valuable time in supervising the details of printing and book making, to the neglect of the important work of the ministry. We know this cannot be right and shall rejoice to see the proper help go to his assistance.

W. C. WHITE.