The Review and Herald by Editor

Publishing Committee · Saratoga Springs, N. Y. · Mar 2, 1852

The Review and Herald.

By Editor

To the Brethren.

We stated in our last that we had made arrangements to publish only two more numbers of the Review and Herald. But we have no idea that you should be without a paper for much length of time. If ever such a medium of instruction and comfort was needed, it is certainly needed now.

You are a scattered people, many of you not being able to meet with those of like precious faith for months, and even years. There are but few real laborers in the wide harvest, and new fields of labor still opening before them, and you cannot reasonably expect them to visit you but very seldom. And while you are thus scattered, and surrounded by unbelief and opposition, you certainly need the weekly visits of a paper devoted to the present truth.

Again, there are many calls at the present time for the labors of those brethren who travel and lecture, and they can tarry in a place only to give but few of the reasons of their faith. Should not their labors be followed up by a weekly paper, in which the reasons of our hope may be more fully given? We are satisfied that all who feel interested, and can realize the wants of the cause, will say that we need such a paper.

We object to conducting the paper in its present condition for the following reasons:

1. It is not convenient to print such a paper at a suitable printing-office, and have the work put by on the seventh day, and it is very unpleasant to us, as well as inconvenient, to have the work done on the Sabbath.

2. If a small office was owned by the brethren, the paper could be printed in such an office for about three fourths of what others can afford to do it for us in large printing establishments.

3. We think that hands can be obtained who are keeping the Sabbath who would take an interest in the paper that cannot be expected of others. In this case, much care would be taken from the one that had charge of it.

4. As the paper is now printed it is necessary that we should be confined to it. This is not only injurious to our health, but depressive to our spirits, while we hear the Macedonian cry from all parts of the country, "Come over and help us." We think that none of the brethren would wish to be thus confined, under such circumstances. And we think the Lord does not require it of any one that feels called to preach his word. But if an office was owned by our brethren, and the paper printed by those who are specially interested in the present truth, arrangements could be made to publish the paper, and the editor be absent a portion of the time.

During the last two or three years we have published considerable, under very discouraging circumstances most of the time. When we commenced there were very few friends to help and encourage. But with limited means we did what we could, and God has blest us ten-fold more than we expected. We have in this time traveled much, and in different places published the paper and books, which has been attended with much labor, care, perplexity, and many deprivations, until our constitution is very much broken down.

We do not ask you brethren to give us an office; we only ask you to have one of your own, managed by a faithful committee. We do not ask to conduct your paper; we hope to be freed from the care of it. But we are unwilling to leave it until we see you establish it on right ground.

The paper has been mostly sustained by large donations from brethren that have had the cause in their hearts, and have felt that it was a part of themselves. But we think the time has come when all who profess to love the truth, should bear a part of the expense, according to their ability. We should consider it a sin in the sight of Heaven to receive money from the treasury of the Lord to publish papers and books, and then freely hand them out to those who are able to help sustain the cause, without reminding them of their duty. We now speak of the professed friends of the cause. Those honestly seeking for truth, though they may be prejudiced against our views, should have our publications without money or price; and when they see the light, they will wish to help sustain that cause through which they have received the truth.

We now ask you, brethren, to take hold of the work unitedly, and have a weekly paper that shall go out free from charge, and free from embarrassments, to feed the scattered flock. We do not expect that those who reject the position of the Review and Herald, will help sustain it, but its friends certainly will.

Many of you are helping sustain weekly papers that bitterly oppose the precious truths you love. In so doing are you not strengthening the hands of those who unsparingly smite your brethren? Should not the cause of truth first be sustained?

The subject of the paper will be introduced at the Conference to be held at Bro. Thompson's the 12th, and we hope to hear from many of the friends of the cause before that time. Let each state what they can do towards establishing an office. We are not able now to state the necessary sum. It will probably require about five hundred dollars.

Let the friends that write express their views freely on this subject. Where shall the paper be published? How shall it be conducted? and how often issued? A decision will doubtless be made on these points at the Conference.