BACK NUMBERS OF THE REVIEW, REFORMER, TIDENDE AND HAROLD.
By James White
We call the attention of our brethren, especially the tract and missionary workers, to the fact that there is a large amount of reading matter lying idle at the Office, which should be put in circulation. It consists of back numbers of the Review, the Reformer, and the Danish and Swedish papers. It may be said that this old reading matter is not as good to circulate as tracts more recently written, and that a great mistake was committed in printing these surplus copies. To this we reply:— 1. It is very possible that too many extra copies of these good papers were printed; but that a large amount has been invested in them is a mistake. And we would like to see that publisher who, in building up a rapidly increasing patronage, would never make a mistake of this kind. 2. Almost all the matter that is in our tracts has been printed in these back numbers, and there is no form in which reading matter can be printed as cheaply as in papers and magazines. 3. After the paper is edited, the type set, the engine fired and the press is in motion, nearly all the expense of these extra copies is the white paper and the press-work; so these extra copies cost but little, while they are of great value to circulate, as they contain a variety of matter and are an advertisement of the very periodicals of which they are copies. 4. The objection that these are old numbers is of no force, when it is understood that they are no older than our tracts, and advocate the same sentiments. Seventh-day Adventists have not changed their positions, rendering their past teachings of as little value as last year’s almanac. No; their published matter of ten years since is as pure and as well calculated for circulation as that of 1878. These back numbers are bound in paper covers, and will be offered at the following prices:— REVIEW AND HERALD, when volumes are complete, at the rate of 20 cents a pound; single copy, post-paid, 50 cents; bound volumes, not complete by reason of the absence of one or more numbers, at the rate of 15 cents a pound; scattering numbers, 10 cents a pound. The REFORMER, in paper covers, when volumes are complete, is offered at the rate of 25 cents a pound; single copy of a complete volume, postage paid, 50 cents; scattered numbers of the REFORMER are offered at the rate of 15 cents a pound. The Danish and Swedish monthlies in paper covers are offered, when volumes are complete, at the rate of 30 cents a pound; single copies of complete volumes, post-paid, 50 cents; scattered numbers, where volumes are not complete, are offered at the rate of 15 cents a pound. We know of nothing as good to circulate in neighborhoods where honest people have neither money nor religious reading as these volumes of the REVIEW, REFORMER, and the Scandinavian monthlies. Here candid people will find a rich variety of the reasons of our faith and hope, religious experience, and the important facts relative to the progress of the cause. Calls have been made by our ministers, who labor in new fields, especially in the South, for old papers which our people have read. These are sent by mail, or otherwise, at considerable expense. We question the utility of this, for these reasons: First, these papers are generally worn and soiled, and are nearly worthless; and second, our patrons should preserve perfect files of all our periodicals, as far as possible. The back numbers we offer are well preserved, clean, and whole, and present a much more inviting appearance than those that are soiled and perhaps torn. And as the cost of transportation is no more on these than on those which are nearly worthless, we regard it as decidedly a poor scheme to pay out one-half as much for the transportation of nearly worthless matter as that which is as good as new costs. We earnestly invite our tract and missionary workers to take hold of this matter, and let this good reading that is now lying idle, be, as were our Master and his apostles, going about doing good. Those laboring in new fields, particularly those in the South, where religious reading of the right kind is very scarce, should be furnished by the General Tract and Missionary Society. Send your orders to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. All such orders received before the second of October will be considered by the General Conference. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE,