The Mission of the "Signs of the Times."
By Editor
Of all the publications, of every nature, whether book or periodical, issued by our denomination, no other has so important a mission to fulfill, and no other has exerted such a powerful influence in favor of the truth, as the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It has literally gone into all the world and preached the gospel to every nation, and everywhere has been hailed with joy as a messenger of good tidings. The article of Brother Haskell on this subject from Auckland, New Zealand, in the SIGNS of December 10, is highly interesting, showing how widely it is known and how deeply people are interested in it. An educated editor of a secular paper said it is the ablest and most interesting religious paper he ever saw. A gentleman who is well known in business and political circles said it is full of life and energy, comparing favorably with any other religious paper; in fact, he said it was, in this respect, rather in contrast with all other religious papers which he had seen. A minister said he frequently found individuals converted to the truth, keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, who had received all their knowledge of the truth from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and he always found them both sound and firm in the faith. In this respect, we say, it has exerted an influence for good which has been exerted by no other of our publications. And its work is not ended by any means; it has a large place yet to fill in our missionary work. We would not under-estimate our books and other periodicals. We have important books, which have been given a wide circulation, and many have been enlightened by the truths which they contain, and have become deeply interested in the present truth by their means. But none of these have been instrumental in converting people to the whole truth as has the SIGNS. The wide range of its contents, the care with which its articles are all prepared, have served to interest all readers, and to convince all that our system of truth is consistent and sound. It was in the direct providence of God that our missionary paper was established on the Pacific Coast, and we pray that the providence of God may still direct in its publication and its circulation.