Reports, &c by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1873

Reports, &c.

By Editor

At the commencement of the Tract and Missionary work it seemed to be necessary to publish quite fully the proceedings of meetings, including statistics, as it might lead to unity of design and effort, and sometimes might prove an important means of suggesting methods of action to the uninstructed. But for some time it has been evident that these reports must be much abridged, as the work enlarges, or resort must be had to some other medium of publication than the Review. It is probable that a Missionary Journal will eventually be published. But in the meantime we are obliged to say that reports of labor of all kinds must be written in brief, or abridged at the office, if they are published. The best way is for the writers to condense, as it is a very difficult task, and one of much labor, to abridge a writing and fully preserve the ideas of the writer; while it is comparatively easy for the writer to condense in writing.

Many lengthy reports have been received for months past of, perhaps, a two days’ meeting, giving minute particulars of each sermon and social meeting. They have been thrown aside. The writers must know, on a little consideration, that if all the laborers should report thus, the Review would not contain their reports. Those who labor constantly and diligently cannot report so; and therefore we are forced to conclude that, when a report is strung out to unnecessary length, the writer is not doing much.

The Progress Department should be kept up with lively interest by frequent, brief reports; and circumstances seem to require that brevity shall be the general rule hereafter.