Hard Times, and the Progress of Our Cause by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1885

Hard Times, and the Progress of Our Cause.

By John Norton Loughborough

WE hear the cry from every side, "Hard times." Yes, it is hard times, and also exceedingly close times for the advancement of most branches of business. Those who have plenty of money can of course "tide over" these times of depression without suffering or sacrifice. But those who depend on the fruits of their labor are the ones who realize the effects of the hard times. Although they may have raised good crops, yet it is almost impossible for them to find sales for their produce at prices that would cover the cost of raising. The merchants and the tradesmen, who are to a great extent dependent upon the patronage of the farmers, find their receipts diminishing in proportion to the decrease of the receipts by the farmer. As usual, monied men, finding that there is a scarcity of money in circulation, take advantage of the situation, and charge higher rates of interest on loans, and so hard times are made still harder.

I doubt not most of our friends have become fully cognizant of the facts above stated, because their own individual circumstances are more or less affected by the general depression in money matters. But I wish here to ask, Have we each, as we should, inquired into the bearing of hard times upon our special work, and our institutions which are established for the advancement of the cause of present truth? While we can see, and know, that hard times affect us, we should realize that it is likely to affect still more seriously all enterprises that are supported largely by the liberality of the people. Instead of becoming any way slack in our interest and care for our institutions, we should bestir ourselves to make greater sacrifices, and do more than usual for them, lest the cause be left to suffer.

In order that those who desire to know how matters stand, may understand and realize more fully their duty, I will make some statements. As we regard the press as being one of the main levers of our cause, it must be apparent to all that our publishing houses should be especially cared for in these times of financial embarrassment. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the "pioneer paper," "our able minister," which is doing such efficient work all over the world should not be curtailed in its circulation because of hard times, neither should the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing House be left to become embarrassed; but, on the contrary, these should be helped to go forward in their noble work.

At the time of the stockholders' meeting last April, it was found that more room and greater facilities must be provided for the prosecution of the work at the SIGNS Office. It became necessary to secure a little more land, on which

to add to the buildings of the publishing house, and also to purchase another printing press. To accomplish this, it has required an outlay of a little over thirteen thousand dollars. During the same time the directors have taken up six thousand dollars of the interest-bearing bonds, and three thousand dollars of deposited funds have been withdrawn. It must be gratifying to our friends to learn that these necessary improvements have been made without increasing the interest-bearing debt.

While this has been done by the association, there has been a falling off in the receipts of the SIGNS Office, that must be remedied in order that the work may go on unembarrassed. I find, by looking at the accounts, that whereas the various State Tract Societies were owing the SIGNS Office $10,000 last spring, their debt is now $20,000. I see also that the California Conference, which deposits its funds with the Pacific Press, has $1,500 less on deposit than usual. If the Tract Societies will make it a point to collect from individual members their dues on publications, and make early payments on their amounts, it would give the Pacific Press great relief at this time. If each brother and sister in the California Conference will carefully consider, and pay faithfully their tithes, it will keep good the amount of Conference funds on deposit at the Pacific Press and enable the managers to pay out such funds to the ministers and Conference workers as they may need, without becoming embarrassed in other directions.

I sincerely hope that none of the subscribers to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will be like the man who said, "It is hard times; I must curtail my expenses." While looking over to find where he could diminish his expenditures, he concluded that he could not dispense with any of his indulgences of appetite, dress, or home comforts, but finally decided to stop his paper. Instead of stopping the SIGNS, let us each at once examine our individual SIGNS account, and put the figures one year ahead; and let all our Tract Societies see that all their clubs are paid up to date. If all should do this, it would not only be giving the publishers their dues, but every one might have the satisfaction of rendering timely aid when it will be most appreciated.

Many of the brethren and sisters have rendered timely assistance to the work by making the Pacific Press a depository for money for which they had no immediate use. This they have done either without interest, or at a low rate of interest. If all who can, will do the same, it will help to advance our work. There is no safer place of deposit in the world than our institutions, and especially our publishing houses. They do not rest, like banks and such institutions, upon the strength of individuals, but upon the strength of the cause of present truth, having the whole denomination of 30,000 members for backers. No one has ever yet lost a dollar by placing it on deposit in our publishing houses. None have failed to get their money when it became necessary for them to use it. Some have chosen to place their money in other enterprises, or in the hands of friends that wanted to use it a little while, and have lost it all. Thousands of dollars have been thus lost, which, had they been placed on deposit in our publishing houses, would have been returned, every dollar, on demand.

I hope none of those who have money on deposit with any of our institutions, at low rates of interest, will be moved to take out their money by flattering inducements, from uncertain sources, of "a little more interest." The rise in interest will undoubtedly soon recede, and money come back to its old basis of interest. Neither should any expect that these institutions can afford to pay any higher rate of interest while they are furnishing the SIGNS OF THE TIMES at the present low prices. Let us rather study and plan, to let them have the use of more money instead of diminishing our deposits.

There may be persons who are earning and laying aside money for the purpose of attending college at some future time. Let such deposit their money with the office or college, and it will be safe and sure when you want it. Do not be induced to loan it here and there, to this or that friend, to be invested in uncertain enterprises, and, perhaps, when wanted, found to be either lost entirely, or so tied up that you cannot get it. May the Lord help us all not only to pray for the prosperity of our institutions, but to do all in our power to help them; and especially so, through these hard times. We shall then have the satisfaction that in one particular at least, we are obeying our Saviour's injunction to "seek first the kingdom of God." J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.