The Signs of the Times.
By James White
VOLUME ONE of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES cost, postage paid, only $6,190.93. But this has been accomplished by economy, such as using the wheelbarrow instead of the express-wagon, night-work, and working for nothing, and for sums near to nothing. The lowest estimate we shall make for 5,000 copies of the SIGNS, postage paid, is $9,000. We hope for 1,000 full-paying subscribers at $3.00 each, a year, which will amount to $3,000. And the next 4,000 copies at $1.50 would amount to $6,000, making the sum of $9,000 for the first 5,000 subscribers. The next 2,000 copies could be afforded for $3,000, and at the rate of $1.50 a year to any amount. We ask our friends in the Pacific Coast States and Territories to give us 500 full-paying subscribers, and 2,000 at half price. And let our numerous eastern friends make up the other 500 full-paying subscribers, and also furnish 10,000 at half price. Our eastern friends may object to these suggestions on the ground that the VOICE OF TRUTH has been furnished for $1.00 a year. But they should here understand that a paper the size of the VOICE, the SIGNS, and the REVIEW, in which there is not a single paying advertisement, cannot be sent out, postage paid, for $1.00 a year. Such a hazardous proposition will never be made again. And it may be objected that the REVIEW is only $2.00 a year, while the full price of the SIGNS is $3.00 a year. Very true; but the REVIEW has 5,000 regular subscribers at $2.00, which amounts to $10,000 for 5,000 subscribers, and we have estimated 5,000 copies of the SIGNS at $9,000, which is $1,000 less. Why the price of the first 1,000 copies is put at $3.00 each is to make up for furnishing the next 4,000 copies at $1.50 a year. The REVIEW is self-sustaining at $2.00 a year. When the SIGNS shall have 5,000 regular subscribers it can be furnished; postage paid, at $2.00 a year. We do not ask any person to take the SIGNS in exchange for the REVIEW. We do not want those who are too poor, or too stingy to take both papers, to take the SIGNS at all. But what we do ask of our friends who are able, and who wish to help the SIGNS Office just $1.50, is to take the paper one year at $3.00. If you have both papers, then after you have gleaned the good of both, you can hand them to your neighbors and friends. During the year 1875, we have sacrificed $3,000 in the cause on the Pacific Coast. And we ask the friends of our general cause everywhere to show their sympathy with us in our efforts and sacrifices at this time by things tangible in the way of gold, silver, and greenbacks. The VOICE OF TRUTH has not been what we intended that it should be. It has been but little more than the REVIEW with a new heading. It has not contained the reasons of our faith, covering the whole ground, as we designed, and as the SIGNS shall. And it has contained many things of a local nature, and which could not interest any only our people. Bro. Smith has been from the Office a part of the time, and when in Battle Creek he cannot do everything. Mrs. W. and the writer feel that we have light for the people. We are confident that God has committed a ministry and mission to us through the press, and we ask his living people everywhere to help us. Before the middle of December we shall issue our first large edition of 13,000 copies of the SIGNS, so as to be able to furnish it to all new subscribers at and after that time. With that number we shall commence sketches of Mrs. W's. life and experience, and also a series of sermons on the reasons of our faith and hope, which shall extend one year from that time. We shall commence at first principles, and continue the several branches of the faith of Seventh-day Adventists in order, as our experienced ministers give a course of lectures in a new field. By the grace of God, nothing shall deter us from this grand object. Should we fail to give matter from our own pen, then we shall select from books written by others. Our people will not be disappointed this time. Those associated with us are awake to the wants of the cause, and have shown themselves competent to carry out our plans should we fail. But God will help us to accomplish all his Spirit impresses us to do.