The Summary by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1912

The Summary

By E. R. P.

THIS explanatory note on the accompanying summary should contain a note of rejoicing and also a word of apology. First, there is good reason for rejoicing. The summary for December closes the record for 1911. In the comparative summary, at the close, is shown the record month by month for the past six years. It is a wonderful photograph, in figures, of the progress of our colporteur work, and our hearts respond with thanksgiving to God for his goodness and sustaining help.

It will be observed that there has been an encouraging growth in the work each year, the total for 1911 being nearly three times as great as the total for 1906, and over $127,000 above the record of 1910. These totals represent orders taken for subscription books only; they do not include the sale of trade books, tracts, or periodicals. When the record of the year is made up, doubtless the entire sale of literature will be something over $1,600,000.

Notice, also, the rapid growth from year to year of the work in foreign fields, which is shown in the figures immediately above the comparative summary.

We have to apologize for the bad showing of several of the union conferences in North America. We regret that our department office may be largely responsible for this. In our efforts to meet appointments at bookmen's conventions at this busy time of the year, the sending out of the usual monthly report blanks was overlooked. Several of the general agents, not having this reminder, have evidently overlooked sending the summary, and several reports collected from union conference papers are not as complete as they would have been if they had been furnished by the general agents. We are sorry for this oversight, and yet we are thankful that it has not made us break our good record of progress; for, notwithstanding the omissions, the summary shows a substantial gain over all previous reports for December.

And now we will begin to write the record of the new year. We have every reason to be full of courage. The Lord is with us, and is giving victories all along the line. Let us press forward as good soldiers, and carry the work onward and upward every month during the year 1912.

E. R. P.