To Every Missionary Worker.
By Editor
OUR text is the following letter, which we have just received:— "GENEVA, O., Nov. 6, 1885. "EDS. SIGNS OF THE TIMES—Dear Sirs: We have been receiving for some time back a copy of your paper. We cannot account for its being sent, as we never ordered it or gave any one authority to order for us. I wish to say here I do not want your paper. I do not believe at all in the doctrines it advocates. Therefore you will please discontinue it. We would discontinue the paper if it were in our power; but we cannot, for her name is not on our list. We are not responsible for the paper that she receives. Now what is the trouble? Simply this: Some friend of the writer has sent the paper to her, and has not notified her of the fact. We are helpless in the matter, and the lady will doubtless continue to receive the SIGNS until her unknown friend grows weary of remailing them. Is there anything wrong in remailing papers to other people? Not by any means. The SIGNS is printed to be read, and the more people there are who read it, the better we are satisfied. Still we don't want to force the paper upon any one. Well, then, what can be done? All trouble may very easily be prevented, if, when you first mail a copy of the SIGNS to an individual, you also drop him a card stating (1) By whom the paper is sent; (2) Why you send it; (3) The conditions upon which you will continue to send it if (4) the individual wishes to read it, which fact you must not fail to ascertain; and (5) You must request a reply. These points can all be made in few words on a postal card. This should invariably be done. It will not take long, and the trouble it does put you to is part of the obligation you assume when you undertake to help spread the truth in this manner. If you pursue the course which we have indicated, you work correctly; if you do not, you are wrong, and you cannot hope to have success in your labor, if it may be called labor. Besides, you cause suspicion and dissatisfaction to be aroused against this office, by people who think we are trying to impose the paper on them that we may collect the subscription price. To be sure there is a note in each paper stating that we have no claims on those who have not subscribed, but those who do not want the paper at all, do not usually read it closely enough to notice that item. Now, brethren and sisters, will you one and all reform in this particular? Don't diminish the number of papers that you send out; send more, but do the work thoroughly. Will not all officers of local societies see that all members do their missionary work in a systematic manner? Read Jer. 48:10 (margin), and bear it in mind.