The Signs of the Times by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 28, 1874

The Signs of the Times.

By James White

Four numbers only of the Signs of the Times have been printed up to this date. The paper has thus far met with very general approval. But for two reasons we are issuing the Signs, at present, only once in two weeks; first, want of help; and, second, our list of subscribers is yet small. We do not wish to advance far in the volume before our friends get around with legions of names.

Our terms are plainly stated as follows: “Two dollars a year to those who choose to pay a subscription price, and free to all others as far as the paper is sustained by the donations of the liberal friends of the cause.” If we can have 5,000 paying subscribers at $2.00 a year, we can furnish additional thousands to any amount for $1.00 a year. The sum of $10,000 will pay the expenses of the first 5,000 copies of the Signs weekly for one year, including editing, type setting, press work, paper, mailing, office rent, fuel, lights, &c., &c. The expenses of additional thousands would include only paper, press work, and mailing. Hence the second 5,000 could be furnished for one-half the first 5,000.

The Signs of the Times cannot be published any cheaper than the REVIEW AND HERALD. The money must come from some quarter. Let the friends bear this in mind while making long lists of subscribers. We want all the $2.00 subscribers that can be obtained. We want all to send in their donations to the Signs who would esteem it a pleasure so to do. And then we want hosts of names, “money, or no money” under the following restrictions.

1. The agent that obtains them should have some evidence, at least, that the persons would candidly examine unpopular Bible subjects.

2. The agent must obtain the request, or at least the consent (either by word of mouth, or by letter), from persons to become subscribers. They must so report to the office of the Signs of the Times in order for them to become bona fide subscribers according to postal laws regulating the mailing of papers. In order, then, for names to be entered on the lists of subscribers to the Signs of the Times, they must be accompanied with the statement that the persons have requested, or at least consented, to take the paper, and pay the postage.

3. The agent should preserve a full list of all names sent to the office of the Signs of the Times, and should feel in duty bound to visit the persons, or write to them, as often as circumstances will admit, and learn of them whether they read the Signs with any degree of interest, and if they would like to have it continued, and if they wish to pay the subscription price or donate to its publication.

Here is a cross to take up, an excellent field of missionary labor. Here is a chance for some of our people who are inclined to exclusiveness to move out and become broader in their feelings and in their course of action. The Tract and Missionary Societies are invited to consider the foregoing points, and co-operate with us in our endeavors to reach the people in a systematic effort. We are very much pleased with the tone of the following from Bro. J. N. Ayers, of Farlinville, Linn Co., Kansas, who sends forty-two names:—

“Seeing a notice in the REVIEW AND HERALD EXTRA, of June 9, 1874, requesting the T. & M. Societies to forward the names of those who would read the Signs and pay the postage, and that you would send it without money to them, the following persons have all been visited, their promise obtained to receive it, pay the postage, and read it. No one of them has ever taken any of our periodicals. Many more can be obtained. How many ought I to send from this district? We are but partly organized; but we will have the district fully organized by the 19th of July.”

Bro. J. G. Walker, of Paicenis Valley, Cal., says:—

“God speed the Signs of the Times. I have fifteen names which I have obtained as subscribers for the Signs on the following terms. I told them to give me their names and try the paper, and when they had read a few copies, if they did not consider it worth two dollars per year, that they might let me know and have the paper stopped, and we would not charge them anything for what they had taken.”

Bro. A. Gleason of Toledo, Ohio, sends fourteen names, and says:—

“Herewith find a few names for the Signs of the Times. These persons I have seen. All agree to comply with your request, namely, to pay the postage and read it. I will get some more names that I have written to. Also will try to canvass a portion of this city if desired. You may put me down for $10.00 for the support of the Signs of the Times.”

We give the foregoing as a reasonable notice that the law regulating the sending out of papers by the United States Mail, provides that in all cases when not sent to bona fide subscribers, the postage must be pre-paid. And according to the decisions of the courts, in order to be a bona fide subscriber, the person to whom the paper is sent must request, or at least consent, to become a subscriber. Therefore, in all cases before sending names to the Signs of the Times, the consent of the persons to become subscribers must be obtained, or the money forwarded to pre-pay the postage.

Number five of the Signs will be mailed about the 26th of July to all those who are “bona fide” subscribers, according to the foregoing statements. Let all those who wish to become subscribers report without delay. J. W.