The “Signs Supplement” and Its Mission.
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE question has naturally arisen in the minds of some, What is the object of the Signs Supplement, which is now regularly published? It is very proper that a word of explanation should be given upon this point, as well as to the reason why its publication commenced on the Pacific Coast. The utility of the tract distributors has been seen this side of the Rocky Mountains more than in any other part of the country. Over one-half of the number used in the country are on the Pacific Coast, and two-thirds of these are used by the California Conference. More than sixty of these distributors are supplied daily. A careful estimate shows that if all the papers used were purchased at the club rates the cost for one year of those filled daily would be $4,320. On the remaining 100 distributors which are filled on an average of twice a week, the cost would be $2,400, making an aggregate cost yearly of $6,720. In view of this cost, the question naturally arose whether it could not in some way be lessened. The Signs Supplement, which costs less than one-half as much as the Signs, was designed to meet this demand. Its mission therefore is more particularly to those Conferences which are taking a special interest in placing the truth before the masses of people by the distributors in hotels, depots, public thoroughfares, and in such places where the people, while traveling, can get but a few moments to read. A very fitting place is found in post-offices, where the people can read while waiting for their mail. This distribution brings back no financial returns, and the question of cost is quite an item. The Signs Supplement can never take the place of the Signs as a missionary paper, for it simply directs the reader to some one point of truth. It is designed to sow some seed by a brief argument, while people are traveling, or have a moment to wait in these places. For our general missionary work where there is a correspondence connected with it, there should be a variety of reading matter, both doctrinal and practical. The Signs is a family religious paper. We are not a one-idea people, and the impression we give the people should be the truth as it is. Nothing can take the place of such a periodical. The Signs Supplement should be used by our tract societies all over the country, for the work designed for it. It would accomplish as good a work in many instances as a sixteen-page paper filled with a variety of the choicest religious reading matter. The daily reports from the distributors in the cities where they are used, confirm their utility, and those engaged in the work feel that they cannot be abandoned. The importance of having a sixteen-page paper for general missionary work must be self-evident to all. But for public places where people take a paper and expect to read it through within half an hour, while waiting for the trains, steamboats, etc., there is nothing more fitting than a four-page sheet. The first page contains short notices which could not fail to interest the reader. The second and third will usually treat upon one subject, perhaps the matter contained in some tract; while upon the fourth page there will be a Bible reading upon the same subject; thus in different ways calling the attention of the reader to one point of truth. This also serves as an advertisement where they can procure more reading upon the same subject. It was published in California because, first, our missionary paper was published here; and, secondly, there was a much larger number of distributors used here, and consequently the demand was greater. It started more as an experiment2for the purpose herein mentioned than to establish a permanent paper. It would therefore be expected that at the next General Conference the utility of such a sheet would be discussed. Those who use it for the purpose mentioned will be prepared to discuss its feasibility. In those parts of the country where tract distributors are used largely, as in a few of the Western States and on the Pacific Coast, it is impossible to procure a sufficient number of old papers to keep them supplied. It is here where the necessity is felt for something of this kind. Tracts will not answer the purpose; they are too common. The public prefer a paper. When an interest in the truth has been awakened then a tract or book will be read with equal readiness; but to arouse the attention of the reader, a paper is much better than a tract. It is for this reason that the paper has been started here in California this present season. We do not urge it upon any of our societies, but for the purpose above mentioned it will fully meet the demand.