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The International Publishing Association

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Review and Herald Publishing Assn. · Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 1.

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The International Publishing Association

By E. T. Russell; A. Swedberg

THINKING that possibly there might be some of our people who are not acquainted with the International Publishing Association and its work, we take this opportunity to explain its organization and object. This association was organized in the interest of the foreign publishing work in America.
After the Review and Herald printing plant of Battle Creek, Mich., was destroyed by fire, our foreign denominational papers were removed to College View, Neb. One of the principal reasons that led to their transfer was the fact that Union College has German, Swedish, and Danish-Norwegian departments. Thus it was thought best to connect the foreign papers and printing with these foreign departments, hoping that both the college and the publishing work would be mutually benefited. It is expected that the publishing association will instruct students in the art of printing, and also give them employment, thus assisting them in working their way through school. Then, as they leave college, many will have a fair knowledge of the art of printing. It is also expected that among the students many will be found who will desire to enter the canvassing work, and sell our foreign publications.
The corporation known as the International Publishing Association was formed at Grand Island, Neb., September 6-9. In this connection we will briefly mention some of the steps that led to the formation of this association.
1. The General Conference, held at Oakland, Cal., provided for the formation of a committee of fifteen to have charge of the foreign publishing work in America. Six of these committeemen were to be appointed by the General Conference Committee, and nine by the Central Union Conference Committee. In due time the committeemen were appointed as recommended.
2. Through a call made by W. C. White, chairman of the publishing committee of the General Conference, and by the president of the Central Union Conference, the committee met at Grand Island, Neb., September 6-9, and formed the association known as the International Publishing Association. We quote from the minutes of that meeting as follows:—
“Your committee believe—
“1. That an effort should be made to arouse all our people to a realization of their privileges and duty to place the printed page containing the special message for this time, in the hands of every family in the United States in its native tongue.
“2. That special plans should be laid to organize the German and Scandinavian brethren, who are numerous in the Western States, to take a leading part in this work.
“3. That in order to revive and maintain a general and successful work throughout the West, there should be selected a center where there shall be maintained not only a school for the education of evangelistic canvassers, but also a well-organized publishing house, whose business it shall be to issue our foreign periodicals, and also to print, advertise, and sell tracts, pamphlets, and books on all phases of our message.
“4. That College View, Neb., is a most favorable place for such a publishing enterprise. Among other advantages of this place the following are especially worthy of mention:—
“a. It is centrally located for all the territory west of the Great Lakes.
“b. Being the home of Union College, established largely in the interest of the foreign work in this country, it is the natural center for the education of colporteur evangelists for the different nationalities, and the natural place for-united councils of ministers, canvassers, and medical missionaries, and also the development of plans and movements for the circulation of literature in the different languages. Here students may be employed to do much of the mechanical work, and thus gain an experience which will make them efficient helpers in the field.
“Therefore we propose: 1. That a publishing society be organized to carry on this work, which shall be a trustee company, along lines parallel to the Review and Herald Publishing Association of Washington, D. C.
“2. That the name of this association be the International Publishing Association.
“3. That the work of this association be the printing, publication, purchase, and sale of religious, health, and educational literature throughout the United States in the German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, and other foreign languages, and also to print in the English for Union College and the Central Union Conference, and to provide facilities for class-room work in general printing instruction in connection with Union College, and that after the present cylinder press, owned by the college, is paid for, it and all other equipment owned in the printing department of the college, be turned over to the International Publishing Association.
“4. That the business of the association be governed by a board of seven trustees.
“5. That there be a committee of seventeen counselors selected from the different nationalities,” these to meet once or twice a year with the trustees for the discussion of general plans.”
The General Conference Council held at Washington, D. C., Oct. 7-21, 1903, indorsed the organization of the International Publishing Association, and further recommended:—
“1. That a general donation of six thousand dollars for this work be called for the first Sabbath in February, and provided this collection amounts to more than the sum called for, the surplus be donated to the work in Washington, and that each of the papers concerned solicit donations from its own people.
“2. That the committee of seventeen and the board of trustees be recognized as a continuation of the committee of foreign publications.”
By way of conclusion, we would say that the Publishing Association has purchased a building in College View, and is fitting it up at considerable expense, it being necessary to put in a furnace, an engine, an electric-light dynamo, and a large printing press, besides other facilities. We hope that our brethren will bear this in mind, and contribute as liberally as possible to this worthy enterprise.
E. T. RUSSELL, Chairman.
A. SWEDBERG, Secretary.