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TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 33.

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TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS.

By Editor

WE thank you all for your interest in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We wish we could use all the contributions sent us. We wish that we could even examine them as fast as they come, so as not to keep the writers in suspense. We have on hand the manuscript of not less than eighty articles and poems yet unexamined, and every day brings more. We can not use them all. Some are written by those inexperienced in writing, and need much editing. Had we fewer contributions, we would endeavor to use many of these, but in view of what we have on hand, many of these will be returned or destroyed. To the writers we would say, Try again, if that is the work God has given you to do. Write briefly, and to the point. All other things being equal, the short article is the soonest accepted, the oftenest read, and the longest remembered.
Much is sent us that is called poetry that is not even passable verse, containing neither rhyme nor rhythm. Some that we get rhymes, but it either has no rhythm or is mere doggerel. Much of what we publish is only passable verse, but it contains a good lesson in a pleasing form. But we want good poetry and short poems.
We also need short articles, not exceeding a column's length, containing from 500 to 700 words, on the various phases of the precious truth of God for our time as it is in Jesus. Do not attempt to write exhaustively, which sometimes means exhaustingly, but leave more to be said in the future. Make one point. Wing one arrow of truth with the love of Christ. Short articles are the soonest accepted, the oftenest read, and the longest remembered. While the editor wishes to encourage all, his first endeavor must be to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES preach the Gospel of Christ with the best material at hand.
A word further. Write plainly, on one side of the paper only, with more space between the lines than in ordinary letter-writing. Leave plenty of room for the heading, and a little space in the margin. Quote Scripture correctly, and in general give the reference. These things will help editors, proof-readers, and compositors, and contributors, the former classes in receiving, and the latter in the greater blessing of giving.