Ten Thousand Subscribers Wanted for the Signs
By S. N. Haskell
Ten Thousand Subscribers Wanted for the Signs! Shall we Have Them?
Two years ago, before the Tract Societies were hardly organized, a call was made for ten thousand subscribers for a trial volume of the REVIEW for six months. It was met with a ready response of fifteen thousand. Last year a call was made for thirty thousand subscribers for the VOICE and Reformer. Each Conference Tract Society marshaled its army, entered the field, and not only procured the subscribers, but also put into circulation fifty thousand Hygienic Almanacs. This was done in addition to their general labor with our health tracts and denominational publications. Whatever mistakes may have been made in accomplishing the above work, the strength of systematic effort has been clearly demonstrated. And had not the grasshoppers given battle to some of our western Conferences just as every nerve was being strained, every Conference would have come out of the conflict stronger than it was before. There are scores to-day rejoicing in the truth as the result of that effort. For this much, we will thank God and take courage. Now another effort is to be made, and with the experience of the past two years, we can take hold of the work with a greater assurance of success than ever before. God’s hand is still in the work, and now when hard times are upon us, with other obstacles before us, it is just the time to manifest the true missionary spirit by putting forth a greater effort than ever before. A battle and a march is the Christian’s watchword. There are many reasons why we should make the SIGNS a specialty this fall and winter, though not to the exclusion of other branches of the work. But as this new paper enters the field, heralding the third angel’s message from the shores of the Pacific, it would be cowardly indeed to let it struggle alone. Now is the time for the Tract Societies to lend a helping hand and raise its circulation to ten thousand. The financial condition of the young institution, and the object of the paper, have been clearly stated in the REVIEW, and special reasons have been given why it should find its way into ten thousand homes this present season, in Vol. 2, No. 2 of the SIGNS. Already the long evenings are upon us, and we should immediately enter upon this work. We expect there will be a general falling into line in all the Conferences from the shores of the Atlantic to those of the Pacific. New England makes a noble strike for one-tenth of the entire number. They will obtain one thousand names, not carelessly gathered up, but those of interested readers. New York will follow with twenty-five hundred. And if other Conferences will also fall into line and do their respective proportions, the work will be equalized from Maine to California. This work can easily be done without neglecting other branches. We ask for a united effort on the part of the Tract Societies—president, directors, and members—and in a few weeks a victory will be gained that will give joy throughout eternity to every participant in it who perseveres so as to be saved in the kingdom of God. Let the canvassing commence at once. God is in this work or he is not. If he is, then now is the time to show that we are on the Lord’s side. Let all judicious canvassers at once enter the field, those whose deportment is such that they can win their way to the hearts of those with whom they associate. Any practical canvasser can use any of our dollar books to advantage in offering it as a premium to the individual who pays the subscription price. There are hundreds of men and women among us who would be successful canvassers for our periodicals if they would give their attention to it. And there are scores who have made canvassing a success in the past. Some have canvassed for pictures, picture-frames, and many other articles, even patent rights, and this, too, with marked success. Now we ask for this same talent and energy to be brought into use where it will yield fruit unto eternal life. Let such an army of canvassers enter the field—not for sordid gain—but let them be persons whose hearts are fired with a zeal for God and his truth, and fifty thousand new subscribers for our denominational paper, and fifty thousand for the Health Reformer, would not be an extravagant number to be obtained. There are periodicals of a denominational cast, and journals that within the short space of two or three years have reached a list of subscribers far beyond even a hundred thousand. Now while just in sight of the immortal prize, with that truth upon which the destiny of the world rests, shall we show less zeal and devotion? We have not half comprehended what might be done if we as a people could unitedly be moved to action with as much understanding zeal in spiritual things as the children of this world have in their efforts to gain the mammon of unrighteousness. The cause of God is of far more importance than any worldly scheme. The reward is as much higher as the heavens are higher than the earth. We want permanent canvassers—disciplined colporteurs—in the cause of Christ. We want men and women who feel the burden of the work upon them. There should be not less than a thousand such men and women visiting from house to house, and having such an influence that the families where they once call will welcome them again—those who will go feeling the responsibility of souls upon them. Go from your closets to visit your neighbors, and wet your efforts with tears from a tender heart, full of the love of God. Like will beget like. Let your own heart be tender and others will be affected. Draw from Christ the needed help, but be in earnest. Don’t be lukewarm and half-hearted. No one will believe that you have any faith in your own calling if you are. There are souls everywhere whose hearts are all prepared for impressions to be made upon them favorable to the truth of God. Now is the time to enter the harvest field and labor for God. Much has been said in reference to the manner of obtaining names. We want interested readers, and they are to be found everywhere. The manner in which we approach people has very much influence in deciding whether they will be interested to read or not. Let our brethren who enter the canvassing field study to know what extracts to read from the SIGNS or Reformer, and what words to say that will arrest the attention and interest. With a little effort and careful thought any person of common ability can so adapt himself to the work that he can awaken an interest to read with almost every one. What we have said in reference to the SIGNS is not designed to give the impression that that paper is to take the place of the REVIEW. That list should be increased thousands. But the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a pioneer paper, one for the Tract Societies and individuals to send into new fields; and one for which a special effort should be made at the present time.