Speculation by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1858

Speculation.

By Editor

Bro. Smith: Can you tell something near how much the donations for the paper to the poor come short of meeting the expense? I ask, because some who seem disposed to find fault, talk about that’s being a speculation. But I shall be satisfied if you do not trouble yourself to answer it. Fault-finders never will get into the kingdom. W. Phelps.

Answer. For the benefit of those individuals of whom you speak, and all others of similarly unfortunate dispositions, we would state that we have upon our list at the present time one hundred and eleven to whom we send the paper free of charge, and one hundred and ninety-four to whom we send for half price. The poor and free list is on the increase. The hardness of the times compels many who would gladly pay, either to receive the paper free, or at half price, or to do without it. The publishers are unwilling that any should do without it who wish it, and therefore the paper is cheerfully sent to all such.

The amount sent in to send Review to the Poor, during last volume, was $76.76. Now suppose the papers we send out under this head, did not cost us a cent, how much of a speculation would that be? Suppose the Office should receive as a donation during the space of six months, $76.76, would it be worth their while to fret over this? And if they should keep themselves in such a state of mind on this account as to lose the enjoyment of the Spirit of God (for that Spirit and a jealous fault-finding one do not dwell together) and lose at last eternal life, would they not be bartering it away at a very low price?

Again, suppose we should receive for the 111 papers we send out free and for the 194 which go at half price—suppose we should receive for these our full subscription price? What then? How much of a speculation would that be? But all that we did receive for them during the past volume was $76.76; and this was $24.49 short of the actual expense as the following facts will show: With our present list, each copy of the paper costs 2½ cents. This amounts to 65 cents a volume. There is an actual expense, therefore, to the Office of 65 cents on every free paper sent out, and an expense of 15 cents a volume on every one sent out at half price, provided we receive the half pay, or 50 cts. With our present number of poor and free, this all amounts to $101.25, being $24.49 over and above what we have received for this object. Is'nt this speculation! The worst wish we have in regard to these individuals is that they were obliged to take the speculation into their own hands, and out of their own pockets foot up expenses, over receipts. We imagine they would set their organ to a different tune very soon.

But some may be tempted to say, then, that there is a speculation on the paper, since it only costs 65 cents a volume, and we charge $1. Very well, who does not know that in the publishing business, where any sort of countenance is given to the credit system, a lee-way must be made for delinquents? There has been more due on the Review at the close of every volume than the profits would have amounted to had every subscriber paid the full subscription. A very small portion of this is all we shall probably ever receive. (We hope none of those will see this statement who are owing five or six dollars to the Office, and be led to take liberties from it, thinking that we do not expect it.)

Again: These individuals must think we take a very singular course in speculating, publishing to the church at large as we do at the close of every volume, a report of the transactions of the Office. We intend to have all things carried on by day-light, and that the brethren understand from time to time the condition of Office affairs. Donations to send Review to the poor are always included in footing up the receipts, and yet past reports show a deficiency of receipts as compared with expenses.

One more question we wish to ask those who consider the Review Office a speculating concern. Who receives the money that arises from the speculation? Suppose for instance that there does arise a profit of 500 or 1000 dollars a year from the Office business? Who receives it? What individual is benefitted by it? The Publishing Committee receive nothing for their services, and all connected with the Office work for a moderate and stated price. Then where do the profits go to? If there should be any it would only be an increase of the property of the church. No one individual would be benefitted by it more than another; and those who would find fault at such a state of things, prove themselves no friends of the Cause.

We have dwelt thus lengthily upon this matter to help the minds if possible of those of whom our brother speaks, and all others, should there be any, of the same views. If any in view of these facts still persist in raising the cry of speculation, we advise the brethren to stand aside and give them free course.