To Our Missionary Workers.
By Editor
WE are nearly every day in receipt of letters that read something like this: "Several copies of your paper have been sent to my address; I have not subscribed for the paper, and do not care to take it." Many are not so mildly worded, but accuse of dishonesty, and of trying to force the paper upon them that we may collect the subscription. Of course the note that appears in the Publishers' Department every week, explains the matter, but many do not read that. Now we think that all this misunderstanding, causing an extra amount of needless work to the office, and resulting very often in the loss of the paper, might be avoided, if all our friends who do missionary work by correspondence would pursue the proper method. In every case when you send papers to an individual, you should send a letter or postal card with the first number sent, telling him from whom the papers come, why and on what terms they are sent, and asking if he is willing for you to continue sending them. We repeat, this should invariably be done. We do not make this statement merely for the sake of saving a little trouble at the office, but in the interest of our common cause. That which is worth doing at all is worth doing well, especially if it is in the cause of truth. Work done in a half-way manner is wasted. Besides this, if you do not hear of the result of your work, you are apt to become discouraged, and thus the cause suffers a double loss. In all our societies those who have adopted the plan above recommended, meet with the best results. Will not all the Tract Society officers take a little extra pains to bring this point to the attention of all their members?