p. 45 | Advance Pay by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1873

Advance Pay.

By Editor

About three months ago, it was announced in the REVIEW that an effort would be made the first of January to establish the advance pay system on all our periodicals. All will agree that this is the only proper system on which to conduct the publishing business. Every paper published is an expense out, in cash, to the Association. And when a subscriber lets his paper run behind, it is the same as if he borrowed from the Association the amount which his unpaid papers cost. There are nearly twenty-five hundred subscribers behind more or less on the REVIEW. Many of them, it is true, are owing only on the present volume, but some are even ten or twelve volumes behind. For all these to borrow a little of the Association, even though the amount may not be large in any individual instance, brings, in the aggregate, a very heavy burden upon the Association. If persons have not the ready money, would it not be better for them to raise it by some means nearer home, and let this burden be thus distributed. We would not counsel any one to borrow the least amount where the prospect is not every way clear that he will be able to pay. But when persons send in to the Office for papers or books, and say that they shall be able to pay in a few days or a few weeks, or months, we always wonder if they have not some friends near them, acquainted with their circumstances, and who can therefore judge of the prospect of their being able to pay, which we cannot, and who on the strength of that, would not advance them the money for the time being.

We do not wish to part with any of our subscribers. We believe that such a paper as we realize that the REVIEW should be, and as we shall try to make it, is called for at the present time. We are firm in the conviction, a conviction strengthening every day, that this paper is publishing great truths of vital importance to the present generation, which no other paper in the land is publishing, or will publish. Hence we wish its circulation to be greatly extended, both that people may thus become acquainted with the truth, and that the Association by the increased patronage of its publications, may be able to urge forward still more rapidly its important work.

We design to do nothing rashly in the way of cutting off names. Hence this matter is delayed, that all may have fair opportunity to make known their wishes, and fair warning before their papers are discontinued.

Perhaps some are still puzzled to ascertain how their account stands from the figures on the poster. We will endeavor to explain it so minutely as to bring it within the comprehension of all.

Credits are reckoned, not by dates, but by volume and number. The volume and number of every paper are stated on the first page immediately under the heading, the volume at the left hand, the number at the right. Every subscriber's poster, or address label, states the volume and number to which he has paid, in figures immediately following his name, the first stating the volume, the next, the number; thus, “J. Johnson, 41-1.” This is a statement that J. Johnson had paid up to volume 41, number 1. Every new paper is a new number, and twenty-six numbers make a volume. Now compare the volume and number as it appears on this number of the paper with the volume and number stated on your poster, and you will see how you stand. The present number of the paper is 41-6. Next week it will be 41-7, and so on to 41-26, when this volume will end and volume 42 commence, and the numbers begin again at 1, thus, 42-1, and so on. If your poster says 40-1, you are one volume and six numbers behind. If it says 41-1, you are six numbers behind. If it says 41-7, you are paid just to the present time. If it says 42-1, you are twenty numbers ahead.

From this explanation any one can with a little attention readily ascertain how his account stands, whether he has paid up or whether he is behind.

And now we want to hear at once from all delinquents, either personally or through tract societies. We make no unreasonable request. It certainly cannot be expected of us that we will continue to send the paper to those who do not have interest enough in it to pay for it if they are able, or, if not, to let us know that they appreciate it and wish it continued.

It is designed soon to begin to strike from our list the names of delinquents from whom no response comes to this and previous notices, commencing with those most indebted, and so continue till we have no names on our list but such as have paid in advance, or have signified their wish to have the paper continued. See the article on last page from Bro. White on Delinquent Subscribers.