TO THE FRIENDS OF THE REVIEW.
By C. W. Stone
As I find myself seated in the editorial chair of the Review as local editor of that noble paper which, laden with words of instruction and good cheer, has so long made its weekly visits to the scattered lovers of truth, I feel that a responsibility is placed upon me that demands watchfulness, prayerfulness, energy, and consecration, on my part, and that calls for the assistance and counsels of those who are older in experience, and the prayers of the readers of the Review, everywhere, that I may be enabled to fulfill the duties of my humble sphere in a manner acceptable in the sight of Heaven. Very different are the circumstances under which I commence my labors with this paper from those surrounding its founders in the issue of the first number twenty-six years ago this November, at Paris, Maine. That number was printed on a sheet about two-thirds as large as this, and the whole edition, after its devoted authors had knelt around it and implored the blessing of God to attend it, was carried to the post-office in a satchel. Through poverty it struggled on, when its friends were few and scattered, the pioneers in this cause bravely bearing up under discouragements and opposition. The first volume of twelve numbers was published at Paris, from Nov., 1850, to June 1851. The first number of the second volume was published Aug. 5, 1851, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where the twelfth and last of that volume was printed March 23, 1852. The first number of volume three was issued from Rochester, N. Y., May 6, 1852. The paper had thus far been sent to its readers gratis, depending for its support upon the hard-earned means of its publishers, and the donations of its friends. From that number we quote the following:— “We shall have 2000 copies of the present number struck off, and as many of future numbers as can be circulated where there is any prospect of doing good.” “We do not wish to send the paper where it is not read with profit; yet we had rather send it to five such, than to have one poor saint deprived of it.” “The brethren have provided means to sustain the paper beyond our expectation, and although our expenses in moving from Saratoga Springs, and commencing the paper in this city, have been considerable, yet we are free from debt.” The paper was printed in Rochester until November, 1855, when it was moved to its present location. It is not my intention to give a history of the rise and progress of this paper, but simply to glance at its early prospects in comparison with some of its present privileges. Through the skillful management of Eld. James White and the blessing of God, the publishing of this paper began and has progressed; and the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, which has had the publishing of the Review since 1861, now issues 5000 copies of its paper weekly, besides five monthlies in English, Danish, and Swedish, and books, pamphlets, and tracts, in immense numbers. In the prosperity that has attended this cause until the earth is well-nigh encircled by its works, large steam presses in California, Michigan, and Switzerland turning out volumes of precious reading matter conveying to the world in simple, yet clear and forcible, language the last warning message of mercy, we see and acknowledge the hand of God. And now, when the truth is going forth with increasing power, when traveling facilities and means of communication are so wonderfully favorable to its rapid dissemination, when we expect soon to see the earth lightened with the glory of the closing message,—now, in this favorable time, I am permitted to contribute my humble strength to the assistance of those who have so long borne the burdens and braved the storms. I here dedicate myself to the work. May the Lord accept the offering. The old corps of editors still have the paper in charge, and it shall be my endeavor to so unite my efforts with theirs that the Review shall continue to be a welcome visitor to your firesides.