Review and Herald Trial Volume.
By James White
It is generally admitted that the surest and best way to favorably impress our friends, and interest them in those Bible truths which Seventh-day Adventists hold very dear, is to let them have the weekly visits of the Review and Herald. Scores have embraced the present truth from reading the Review sent to them by their friends, and hundreds of others who have read it six months or a year are favorably impressed, and their minds, by this means, are fully prepared to hear lectures without prejudice. And many of those will certainly yield to the evidence of truth when it shall be set before them, and they will commit themselves on the Lord’s side. The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association now offers a trial volume of the Review, of twenty-six numbers for the small sum of fifty cents, to all those who wish to order it for their friends, the volume to commence with number one of volume forty-two, to be issued December 16, 1873. Plans are being laid which will be successfully prosecuted to make this trial volume of great value. We hope to be able to give in each of the first fifteen or twenty numbers of this volume the subject matter of one of the series of tracts we are preparing to be translated into other languages. These tracts will cover most of the ground of the reasons of our faith and hope, and will be important matter for the trial volume. We also design to resume our articles on White Robes, or the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, from Paradise lost to Paradise restored. This is a broad and fruitful theme, and we expect to bring out matter of lively interest upon the subject. Mrs. W. will probably give articles from her new writings, of greater interest than has before appeared in print. And now, in studying out a plan that will call out rich matter from our book-makers, and from others, we hit upon the idea of suggesting to certain brethren the subjects upon which we wish them to furnish articles, if possible, one for each number of the trial volume. And then there are many other good writers for whom we have no particular subjects to suggest, who are hereby invited and urged to help enrich the columns of the Review with spirited, clear, brief articles upon themes of their choice, proper for this volume. Now, be it understood that the foregoing are only suggestions. And if the writers have suggestions relative to change of subjects, they will address us in season to make necessary arrangements so they can be ready with their articles for the first number of the trial volume. Some of the writers named may urge that they have not time to prepare a series of articles. This might be difficult if all should feel that they must present new thoughts on the different subjects that have never appeared in print. But this cannot be expected. The writers should feel at liberty to draw very largely upon their printed writings. The people must have the reasons of our faith in such portions as they would be most likely to read as they welcome the weekly visits of the Review. Many would not read a book half through who would read articles with interest in a weekly paper. We wish to hear from all who usually write for the Review, and from others, without delay. We must know what to expect relative to the main reading matter of the next volume of the Review. It can be, and should be, calculated three or six months in advance, especially should this be the case in a trial volume that we hope to get before thousands of new readers. The Review never can be edited as it should be in a hand-to-mouth manner. It is a paper of vast importance, and plans must be made reaching into the future, in order that it may be what it can be, and what it must be. We call for good, sound, logical articles. But it may not be best always to seek for a precise book style, if such style make the articles lengthy and tedious, and detract from the spirit and interest of the composition. And if all write who should write for the trial volume, the articles generally must be brief. No writer should spin his thoughts out on paper to a certain length for the sake of making his articles about so long. Neither should he feel cramped for room in presenting a line of thought that demands room. In all articles, whatever may be their length, writers should fully and clearly express the important thoughts closely connected with, and important to, the subject in the best manner possible, and in as few words as possible, and then quit. We do not design to exclude reports of the progress of the cause from the trial volume; but they must be brief, and free from all that twaddle about local and personal items, of no sort of interest to nine hundred and ninety-nine readers in one thousand, excepting the writers. Bro. T. J. Butler gave a glorious report of his labors, as follows:— “The South Missouri tent has held, thus far, three series of meetings the present season—one at Milford, one at Clintonville, and one at Montevallo, having just closed at the last place. Seventy have embraced the truth at these places, while a goodly number more are keeping the Sabbath. Our next meeting is at Nevada City, Vernon Co., Missouri. T. J. Butler.”
This is all right, provided that, during the tent season, reports of about this length be given showing progress every two or three weeks. We want more reports, brief, and to the point. But unless they are free from wordy talk about matters of no general interest, they will not be published. And now let every branch of the great Tract and Missionary Society do all they can to obtain trial subscribers for the next volume of the Review. If funds are short, open subscription papers at once. And this is just the time for individuals to do their best. We have a new fast press, in addition to the old one put in good repair, and are ready to receive 50,000 trial subscribers. We do not advise sending the Review to doubtful cases. And, as far as convenient, it would be better to notify persons to whom you send the Review. Be in season! Go to work immediately! Drop a line to each of a score of friends, stating that you will order the Review for them. And when they have received the first number, if they do not want it, request them to notify you by letter. In all cases where the Review is refused, you can order it changed to other friends without additional pay. Address, Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., Cal.