The Number Reached by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 16, 1883

The Number Reached.

By S. N. Haskell

SEVEN years ago when special efforts were made to increase the circulation of the SIGNS by having our brethren take them in clubs, it was stated that with a proper effort there would be 20,000 copies taken. This has been repeated many times since; but with all the efforts made at that time and since, until last spring, the highest number reached was 11,000. It has now reached the golden number. We have issued during the past few weeks as high as 20,200 copies. We thank God for this, and take courage.

We now ask for 30,000 this coming fall, and 50,000 next summer. Why shall we not have them? Is not the world to be warned? Has not God's providence given us a pioneer sheet which should enter tens of thousands of homes that now know nothing of these truths? Why should not all of our presses at Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal., be devoted to printing present truth? Were not these offices built for this purpose? Were not our brethren asked to give their money to erect these buildings in which to print present truth? Have they not been dedicated to this work?

We do not say that taking in job work in the past has been altogether wrong. It has accomplished two objects which are indispensable in the work before us. 1. It has brought together presses, and facilities, and educated individuals to do a large amount of work in a first-class manner, and on short notice. What could we have done with the rapid increase of the SIGNS during this summer, and our other denominational work, had we had to wait for facilities and experienced workmen to do this work? 2. It has given this printing-house a standing here among the business men. We are known throughout the Pacific Coast as a reliable, first-class business house, and it is also known as a denominational printing-house. Both of these considerations were essential to the work which is before us. It is all right that we have done this work. But we are now ready to go forward with our denominational work as fast as the friends will give us the work to do by finding market for our publications.

We have the facilities for doing a great amount of denominational work. Our work is onward until the world is lighted with the glory of the mighty angel which is to come down from heaven. Rev. 18. We are thankful to God for present indications. We now want to turn the earnings of this office to the design of the stock-holders when they took shares in this institution and draw no dividends. At present we are paying a large amount of interest, and it requires the best talent and facilities to do outside work and then pay interest to many who have no special interest in the cause. Let there be $25,000 immediately raised, as has been so nobly commenced, and take up these notes where the interest is paid outside of the cause of God, then turn the interest as an annual income to aid in qualifying men and women for the work which is the object of all of our institutions. This may be done in two ways. 1. Pay a teacher for giving special instruction in the Scriptures and missionary work. 2. Help those worthy poor to receive the benefit of this instruction. May the Lord hasten the time when all of the talents God has given us, and the facilities we have for printing, will be devoted to the one grand object of life, the furtherance of the cause of present truth.

S. N. HASKELL.