p. 28 | OUR PUBLICATIONS by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1879

OUR PUBLICATIONS.

By James White

For several years past, our people have felt the importance of giving our publications a wide circulation. And the managers of our houses of publication have seconded the efforts of the people, in publishing largely; and in putting our publications down to very low prices. These efforts on the part of the publishers are very praiseworthy, if not carried too far. But the present embarrassed condition of these houses shows that one of the mistakes which has resulted in this embarrassment is the ruinous prices at which our publications have been sold.

In 1866, when we returned to the REVIEW Office, after severe sickness, we found the managers paying ten per cent on thousands, and the capital stock reduced to $32,000. But in four years, with the blessing of God, the debts were paid, the stock raised to $75,000, and we had $5,000 in the banks.

We shall not give our consent to the sale of our valuable publications at prices so much below those of other publishers. The most valuable commodity in the market should be the result of the wear of brain power and genius; but thirty-five years as an editor, author, preacher, and successful manager, has taught us that this is far from being the case.

When, in 1861, the Publishing Association was instituted at Battle Creek, Mich., we gave our lists of subscribers and the right to republish all our works (since decided to have been worth at that time $10,000) to the Association, leaving us worth only $1,000; and we continued our labors as editor, manager, and preacher, at $6 per week. While this gave our people confidence in our sincerity, the success which attended our management gave them confidence in our ability to manage. With this confidence, responses to our calls for means have been met with a noble generosity, which we hope to see continued. JAMES WHITE.