THE PRESENT SITUATION by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 8, 1892

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 18, No. 14.

THE PRESENT SITUATION.

By Editor

1. Our publishing house here in London needs to invest but little in plant and machinery, since the printing and binding of our books can be done cheaper, better, and more expeditiously by outside parties than we can do it ourselves. This is greatly to our advantage, as it would require a large amount of capital to be invested if we were obliged to do this work ourselves.

2. The London Branch has endeavored to run its business in a way that would make it a safe place of deposit for our brethren in this field who have more or less means to loan. This plan we must continue to pursue, because it is right, and because, as the work develops, we shall need the confidence and support of our people in these fields.

3. Our capital upon which to do business is wholly inadequate to warrant our doing what ought to be done and what must be done unless we allow the book business and the canvassing work to be greatly crippled. Some of the difficulties we have experienced owing to the working capital of the London Branch not being sufficiently large to cope with the phenomenal increase of the business, are: (a) We have been unable to produce large editions of our subscription books, and so could not promptly fill orders that have come from South Africa, thus causing disappointment and monetary loss to the agents, the depositories, and the publishing house. (b) When the work of bookmaking has to be hurried, mistakes are more likely to occur, and it is impossible to turn out good work. This is especially so in the case of binding in the several styles of leather, and the London binders will not hold themselves responsible for work that is hurriedly done.

Had we the proper amount of capital with which to meet the demands for publications that are already upon us for the next twelve months, the returns from the sales of our books would then keep such capital stock good as a reserve upon which to do business. If we had seventy-five thousand dollars now, this office could use it to good advantage directly in the publishing work. With ready cash our printing could be done much cheaper, our paper bills one month could be discounted eight per cent. Judging from the present outlook, from the present success of the canvassers in Australasia, Africa, and the United Kingdom, there will be needed in the next twelve months not less than sixty thousand books, which will require an outlay of about $75,000. Of course, during this time if we can get the books to place in the hands of the canvassers, a considerable portion of this sum will be returned to us from their sales, but the investment is needed to properly and successfully carry on the business.

The following figures will give a correct idea of the books required and the necessary capital to produce them. These computations are based upon such books as "Bible Readings," "Patriarchs and Prophets," "Ladies' Guide," and "Masterpiece." We submit these figures for your careful consideration.

During the next twelve months the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, and South Africa will need 55,000 books, the aggregate selling price of which will be $240,604.85, less agents' profits, $122,302.42.

We solemnly believe that, located here in the world's metropolis, with facilities for producing books cheaper, better, and quicker in very large quantities than any or all of our publishing houses can do it, and with a self-supporting territory second to none in the world, this house at once becomes a missionary enterprise of the first importance. If our brethren who have the means at their disposal, perhaps deposited in banks or railroad stocks, could see the situation as it is, and take into account the opportunities which present themselves, and the demands which are even now pressing upon us for publications which we cannot furnish for lack of means, we feel sure they would respond to the present needs.

At a dark period in America's history, when she had met with frequent reverses and the spirit of alarm prevailed, State officials were resigning their positions because they were thought to be inefficient, and when half a million dollars was needed to put the city of New York in a state of defense, and the money could not be procured on the public credit, a senator, loyal to his country, applied to the governor of the State to raise the money on his own responsibility. The governor hesitated on the ground that it might ruin him. "Then," said the senator, "ruin yourself if it becomes necessary to save the country, and I pledge you my honor that I will support you in whatever you do." Through the grand patriotism of these two men the necessary sum was obtained, and the city was fortified against the enemy. We all admire such spirits as these, whose daring deeds of valor and self-sacrifice stand out in bold relief on the page of history. But how insignificant is the cause for which such men sacrificed and suffered and bled and died when contrasted with the warfare in which we have enlisted.

Will the spirit of true patriotism and genuine loyalty to the cause of God be manifested by our brethren who have means, at this important crisis in our work? We must do one of two things, either secure the necessary means, or ask our canvassers not to sell so many books. We appeal to you to tell us what to do. We dare not call any of our canvassers in, but if we do not, we must be able to meet their demands upon us. Oh, that the urgent necessities of the hour might be the rod that would smite the rock of our denominational resources and thus cause abundant streams of revenue to flow forth, whereby these demands could be met, the truth scattered, and the final consummation hastened, the warfare ended, and the victory won! We need not add more, but we look imploringly to you for help just now, praying that He to whom the cause belongs will put it into the hearts of his dear people to recognize the needs of the present hour, and to supply those needs with the ability that God has given them.

Yours very sincerely, JOHN I. GIBSON, E. M. MORRISON, D. A. ROBINSON.