THE SIGNS AND VOLUME 4.
By Editor
BUT very little has been said of late in regard to the special canvass for the SIGNS, to be followed with that of "Great Controversy," Vol. 4; and perhaps some have the idea that this has been dropped, but such is not the case. Wherever this work has been taken hold of energetically, the results have been very encouraging. One reports that out of thirty-five persons reading the SIGNS, twenty-nine subscribed for Vol. 4. Another states that in canvassing the territory sixty-nine out of seventy-six who had taken the SIGNS also subscribed for Vol. 4 when it was presented to them. We quote the following from a letter just received from Elder Haskell:— "Yours giving prices on the 'Great Controversy' received. Also the prospectus. To me, it seems that you make a happy hit of the prospectus. I never saw any prospectus which I think is better calculated to sell the book than the one you have gotten out. The first ones you got out were not quite so good, but the last one, a sample of which came by mail, cannot fail to give a good impression to the one who is shown the book. If people have any taste at all for a nice book, and for religious reading, and the canvasser half does his duty, there can be no question but that the book will sell; and then if they do not want a nice book, the costliest one, the agent can drop down to the cheapest edition. We are trying to see what can be done in this Conference, and I hope we shall be successful in selling a good many of them. I believe that the time will come when not only fifty but a hundred thousand of these books will be sold. I would not be surprised if that number were sold in less than a year. It is a kind of book that will go with the people. We are upon the verge of changes that will effect the cause materially. Some of our brethren realize this, and those who do will be willing to take hold of the work. We are, in New England, putting the SIGNS and the book together, following the plan adopted in New York. As we distribute the SIGNS among the people, calling their attention to the principal points in the paper, calling special attention to Sister White's articles, and then make a second and third visit on succeeding weeks, we prepare the way for the canvass of Vol. 4; and on the fourth week we take the book and try to make a sale of it. In New York, where this plan was tried, over sixty out of ninety took the book." The SIGNS OF THE TIMES seems to prepare the way for the sale of our bound books, especially Vol. 4. The people become interested in Sister White's articles, which appear on the first page of each number; and when the canvasser for Vol. 4 states that the author of this book is the same as the one who wrote those articles, he is almost sure to get a subscriber. But even if this were not the case, and nothing more was done than to get a yearly subscription for the SIGNS, who can estimate the amount of good done? Books are good, and we ought to do all we can to encourage their sale; but we do know this, that they are too often placed in the book-case and never read. But the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, coming weekly, as it does, is bound to attract attention. It has such a variety of articles, on such a variety of subjects, that every individual is sure to find something in the paper to interest him; and his interest or curiosity once aroused, he will be led to investigate still further. One volume of the SIGNS will cover nearly every point of present truth; and this is why we find persons who have embraced the Sabbath through reading the SIGNS so well informed in regard to all our doctrines. What other book or periodical can show so many converts to the truth as the SIGNS? From one to a score of letters are received here at the office almost every week from persons who have embraced the truth or become deeply interested in it from reading the SIGNS. This number will be largely multiplied if we add those who report to our Tract and Missionary Societies, and then there must be a very large number who receive their first impression of the truth in this way from whom we never have a report. As will be noticed, we have made some very important changes on the SIGNS this year, which makes it much more attractive, and with the liberal discount to new subscribers, and to clubs, it can be handled with profit. But even if we could not make quite so much money on this as we could canvassing for some book, still the good results shown ought to encourage many to take hold of the work. We pay our ministers quite a large sum each year, and consider it a good investment. What minister have we that can show the number of converts in a year that the SIGNS can? At the last session of the International Tract and Missionary Society the following resolution was adopted:— WHEREAS, The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a valuable missionary journal, finding favor with the people, while it conveys to them the principles of the Third Angel's Message, therefore,
"Resolved, That we urge the State societies to increase their club of SIGNS, and to use every reasonable effort to get it into the hands of the people." We hope that not only the State societies will act upon this resolution, but that local societies and individuals will also take hold of this work. We think we can confidently say that with the improvements in the mechanical appearance of the paper, there will also be an improvement in its contents. The experience of past years, coupled with a greater number of contributors, will, we think, insure this. We feel determined, by the help of God, to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES just the best religious journal published, and one calculated to win its way to the hearts of the people. And we now ask our brethren and sisters everywhere to take hold with us to try to extend its circulation, either by taking clubs and sending out by mail, or by canvassing for it with or without Vol. 4.