WHY THE SIGNS WAS INCREASED TO SIXTEEN PAGES.
By Editor
THE first number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES bears date of June 4, 1874. Ever since that issue the SIGNS has been regarded as the pioneer missionary paper of the denomination, and millions of copies have been sent to different parts of the world. One year ago, in response to the demand of missionary workers in different parts of the field for a paper that might be more extensively used in missionary work, the SIGNS was reduced to eight pages, and the price reduced accordingly. After running in this way for a few months, it became evident that the paper did not meet the demand, and that it was not giving satisfaction to the large majority of missionary workers. In a paper with only eight pages the publishers found it impossible to give the amount and variety of matter which a journal of this kind ought to contain. Accordingly, at the last annual meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, held in April, 1891, the question of enlarging the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to sixteen pages was raised, and, after a free expression of the sentiments of the stockholders, the following resolutions were adopted:— WHEREAS, We fully sense the demand for a missionary paper at a price which will place it in the reach of our Tract Societies and missionary workers, and at the same time properly represent the truths which it advocates; therefore, Resolved, That we hereby instruct the board of directors that shall be elected at this meeting to take into consideration: (a) The advisability of increasing the SIGNS to sixteen pages at the beginning of the next volume. (b) The advisability of inserting a select line of advertisements. (c) The advisability of offering a premium with the paper and making a strong effort to secure a large list of single subscriptions. Resolved, That we request the board of directors to confer with the General Conference Committee, the officers of the International Tract Society and State Tract Societies, ministers, and our people generally, so far as practicable, on the points above referred to, that we may understand what the general desire is in reference to the paper; and, further, Resolved, That we hereby authorize the board of directors, after ascertaining as fully as possible the sentiments of our people on the points above mentioned, to take action as they may consider best for the interests of the SIGNS and the Publishing Association.5 In harmony with the instruction of the stockholders, letters were sent to Conferences and Tract Society officers, ministers and other leading brethren throughout the field. The responses to these letters were almost unanimous in advising that the SIGNS be increased to sixteen pages. The matter was also submitted to the General Conference Committee at its meeting last August, for advice, and the following response was received from the General Conference Association, it having been indorsed by the General Conference Committee and the General Conference Association:— "We advise the publishers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES:—
"1. To increase the size of the paper to sixteen pages, commencing with the next volume.
"2. That it be made up and edited wholly with reference to its mission as a pioneer missionary paper. That a competent corps of special contributors be engaged to furnish articles on different subjects, so that a large list of subjects, both doctrinal and practical, may be treated in each volume.
"3. That we discourage the insertion of commercial advertisements.
"4. That the time of commencing the volume be changed to the first of November.
"5. That the subscription price be $1.50 for single subscriptions.
"6. That no commission be given to canvassers for the journal.
"7. That the General Conference Committee make a proposition to the Pacific Press Publishing Company to take the editorial management of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and bear the expense of the same for a term of two years, and in case this recommendation is accepted, the price of the paper in clubs of ten or more be placed at $1.25." As our readers are aware, the publishers decided to adopt the recommendation of the General Conference Committee, and increase the paper to sixteen pages. It was also decided to make the page a little larger, use better paper, and make other important changes. The first number of the new volume was issued November 9, 1891, and so far as we have been able to learn, gives general satisfaction. The subscription price is as follows:—
Single copy, one year, postpaid...$1 50
In clubs of ten or more to one name and address... 1 25 The editorial management is now in the hands of the General Conference Committee. Elder M. C. Wilcox has been appointed editor, and a large number of contributors from different parts of the field have been enlisted to write for the paper. The design will be to make each volume complete in itself in the presentation of all phases of the truth, including a large proportion of practical matter, so that anyone who receives the paper for one year and reads it carefully will be quite well instructed on all points of the Third Angel's Message. The price in clubs of ten or more is placed at the very low price of $1.25 as a special inducement to Tract Societies and missionary workers to take clubs for missionary work. At this rate the paper will be furnished for less than cost unless all will take hold, and by united effort increase the subscription list to 20,000 or more; but the desire of the publishers and of the General Conference Committee is, first of all, to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES fill the place for which it was designed from the beginning; that of a pioneer missionary paper through which Bible truths can be elucidated and placed before the reader in such a way as to attract his attention and lead him to investigate; and, second, to give it a wide circulation, that the influence of the truths which it presents may be as widely extended as possible. The editors and publishers will endeavor to make the paper as good as it can be made; and we ask the co-operation of ministers, Tract Society and Conference officers, church elders, missionary workers, and all who are interested in the spread of the truth, in getting the paper into the hands of the people. As a careful estimate shows that the SIGNS, when increased to sixteen pages, will cost $1.53 per volume of fifty numbers for an edition of ten thousand (which is more than we are printing at the present time), there would be a loss of twenty-eight cents on all the papers taken in clubs. But the General Conference Committee has expressed a willingness to assist in bringing the paper up to the standard which it should occupy, and the publishers are also willing to raise the paper to a high standard without too much regard to the cost, that it may the better fill its place as a pioneer missionary paper. But there are ways in which you can assist the General Conference Committee and the publishers to make the paper what it should be without its being published at a constant financial loss. We will suggest for your consideration some of the ways in which this may be done:— 1. By inducing as many as you can to take the paper at the regular price for single subscriptions. 2. By encouraging Tract Societies and individuals to take clubs for missionary purposes, so that the list may be raised to a paying basis, which would require at the club rate which we now make between sixteen and twenty thousand. 3. By securing donations to be applied towards the running expenses of the paper. We have about twenty-seven thousand church members in the United States, so if each State society would work up a list for the SIGNS equivalent to two-thirds of its church membership, it would be placed on a self-supporting basis. The publishers feel greatly encouraged for the hearty indorsement which the paper in its new form has received from all quarters and the promises made to work for a large circulation. We are also glad to say that the subscription list is on the increase. We now print about ten thousand copies weekly. Will you be one of the number to help increase the list to twenty thousand copies weekly? PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,
Publishers Signs of the Times.