IMPRESSIONS AT BATTLE CREEK.— PUBLISHING HOUSE.
By S. M. Spicer
The buildings of the publishing department of the S. D. Adventists next claim our attention—not last, nor least in outward attraction, for they constitute a conspicuous and interesting portion of the public buildings of this vicinity. They are three in number, in a line east and west, on the south side of Main Street, opposite the city park. They are constructed of brick, all of the same size and style, two stories high and in the form of a Greek cross, the main portion 26x66, the transverse 26x44. The first building was erected in 1861, the second, in 1871, the third, in 1873; so rapidly have the business and demands of the Publishing Association increased since its incorporation in 1861. The various departments of the business are distributed through these buildings in a manner so unique and systematic that even a casual observer cannot fail to be interested, and to admire the harmony of the efficient, co-operative labor, all tending to the one great and perfect whole. The central building, usually called the Review Office, is occupied below with the engine (a sixteen-horse power), and three presses, one, the Cylinder, printing 1000 sheets per hour; another, the Adams, printing about 800 per hour; the third, a universal job press, executing a great variety of first-class work. Equal efficiency and more constant application seldom unite in a publishing establishment. On the upper floor, the front room is the editorial office of the Review, furnished on two sides with a fine library. The remaining portion on this floor is occupied with type-setting, proof-reading, and various other labors necessary in preparing for the presses below. The corresponding rooms in the west building are also occupied with type-setting, not only for English, but here including Swedish, Danish, German, and French. The lower part of this building, with the exception of counting room and sales room, is occupied with book rooms, where a great store-house of truth is waiting to be circulated throughout the land. The east building is the place where all this printed material is carried through the variety of work necessary to prepare for circulation. In one room, many busy fingers are rapidly folding, stitching, and trimming; in another, the various labors of binding and pressing are carried on. In a third apartment, the mailing requires considerable time and labor, as one will be convinced when informed that the matter mailed from this Office has sometimes exceeded three hundred bushels per week. Thus the work of this department progresses; we can better realize how rapidly if we look back a few years, to the time when the pioneer of this publishing enterprise, Eld. J. White, having embraced the Sabbath truth, put forth his characteristic energy and Christian zeal in its defense. He commenced publishing the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald in the year 1850, first located in Maine; thence it was removed to New York State, and then, as the cause of truth extended westward, to have a more central position, Battle Creek was selected, and the paper first issued here in 1855. Up to this period, Eld. White was publisher and sole editor. Since then, more men and means have been called to assist in the work. Some fifty or sixty hands have since been required to carry on the labors of this department; and more than one hundred thousand dollars capital is now invested. The titles of the different periodicals now issued here, and their circulation as estimated March, 1876, stands as follows: The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, weekly, 7,603; Youth’s Instructor, monthly, 5,637; Health Reformer, monthly, 5,575; Advent Tidende, Danish, monthly, 1,900; Advent Harold, Swedish, monthly, 1,900. Books on the prophecies and other Bible subjects have been issued from time to time, till they have reached the aggregate number of about one hundred millions of pages. In this connection, we add that this people have also a Publishing Association on the Pacific Coast. It was established in 1875, and is now issuing the Signs of the Times, with a paying circulation of nearly 4,000, having $12,000 invested in buildings, and $8,000, in presses, type, and other necessary material; and we gladly add that this enterprise, so lately started, is neither paying rent nor interest. German and French are also being published to some extent in Europe, conducted by the Seventh-day Adventist mission established in Switzerland. Arrangements are rapidly going on to furnish a new press to carry on this foreign, interesting work. Thus God’s truth is being proclaimed to the world, advancing with marvelous power; and we have the assurance that it shall not return unto him void. There is something very interesting, when we look upon the almost intelligent play of complicated machinery, combined with the wonderful dexterity of human skill, so rapidly preparing the printed pages; but there is an impression beyond wonder and admiration, when we comprehend the real import and significance of this great publishing work, and when we consider that God has appointed these means and agencies to spread abroad the great truths of his holy word, and the last message of mercy to the perishing world. What a solemn responsibility is involved in this great mission of speaking for God to the ends of the earth! We hope this responsibility is duly appreciated; for it is encouraging to observe the evident sentiments of piety and consecration pervading the company who are devoting their labors to this work of the Lord. We trust that breathings of prayer often blend with the click of the type, the more audible strokes of the presses, and the rustle of the pages folding and preparing to go forth to invite the attention of the reading world. What infinite consequences, involving eternity, may be pending on a few pages sent out from this Office! Then should every line be borne on the wings of prayer, as hastening from the Office, it flies with railway speed, to be scattered all over the land. And then with what faithfulness, diligence, and perseverance, should every distributing agent labor to bring these pages before the reading eye, and arouse the attention of the slumbering world. While many are blinded by false teachings, and many are sitting in the darkness of untaught ignorance, still multitudes, honestly seeking, are anxious to learn the whole truth. Then may all of God’s children work and pray for this mission, and may angels safely guide on their way these missiles of solemn truth, destined to speak for God to all lands and peoples. Since the Saviour came—the light of the world—the radiance of divine truth has been continually extending, penetrating through the gloom of sin and death, kindling here and there the gleams of Christian joy, peace, and hope; but still heavy hang the clouds of error and moral darkness o’er this sin-cursed earth, where struggling millions may finally sink in hopeless ruin, unless God’s appointed means—his faithful people—shall earnestly and constantly strive on in this great and holy work.