Affairs Connected with the Office.
By Editor
It may be duty to make some further statement relative to matters connected with the office. That the friends of truth may understand its situation, we wish to speak with freedom, and to lay open, as far as possible, the course which has been pursued in the publication of the ADVENT REVIEW. It is not for the purpose of uttering complaint against any, but to call the attention of the brethren to several important facts, that we write at this time. We are satisfied that it is not indifference, but a want of understanding relative to the manner in which the REVIEW has hitherto been sustained, that renders an appeal to its friends necessary. We have stated heretofore that the paper and tracts are published at the lowest possible price. With the present number of subscribers, and present price, the REVIEW will not meet its own expense. Hence a sacrifice on the part of some has been absolutely necessary all the way along. This has been of two kinds. 1. A sacrifice of means on the part of those who have been willing to pay for the paper for others, as well as to pay for their own. 2. A still greater sacrifice150on the part of those who have had the labor of its publication to perform. With regard to this latter item, it is duty to make some remarks; for it is chiefly the sacrifice made by these persons, that has sustained the REVIEW. Those who have labored in connection with the office, have been willing to sacrifice their time and ease. That the expenses of the REVIEW might not exceed its receipts, they have been willing to labor for a trifle more than their food and clothing, and this too, when their services elsewhere, or in other kinds of business, would command good wages. Some of them in coming to labor in this office, have, for that very purpose, left business that would command twice or thrice what they had offered them here. Beside this, they have been willing, not only to labor hard, but also to toil early and late, frequently till midnight, and on some occasions all night. And this they have cheerfully done that the truth might be published before the world. In addition to the above, that the expense of life in the city might be as small as consistent, those engaged in the office, with one exception have formed but one family. This has made the expense of publication less, but it has been attended with many inconveniences to all concerned. Nor has the burden of care and toil which has devolved upon the Editor been small. Beginning without means, and with few helpers, it has been his lot to bear the burden in the heat of the day. The oversight and the responsibility of everything connected with the office has hitherto devolved upon him. With the care of a large family, and with much sickness in the family during the past two years, he has had much to prostrate his health and energies. And at the present time his health seems to be seriously impaired. We have thus stated something of the particulars relative to the sacrifices which those have been making, who have devoted themselves to the work of publishing the present truth. It is not the prospect of worldly gain, but the love of Christ that prompts them to act as they have. But, brethren, we think these things ought not so to be. We suppose that those who have hitherto labored in the office would still cheerfully act the part they have hitherto acted, should they have health and strength; but we are satisfied this will not be the case, if they continue to work as many hours as they have done. How many of our readers are willing that this should be the case? How many would be willing to act the same part themselves that these brethren have so cheerfully fulfilled in time past? The second of the two great precepts of God's law is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Do we do this, when we leave others to bear alone those burdens which it is equally incumbent on ourselves to bear? To the young men in the ranks of the Sabbath-keepers we would particularly appeal. Who of you are making any sacrifice in the cause of God? Do you think it enough that you have to bear the reproach of believing unpopular truth? and is this what you think constitutes alone the making a covenant with the Lord by sacrifice? If no one had ever done more than this, how many of you to-day would be blest with the light of truth? And how is the truth to be brought before others hereafter, unless some are willing to sacrifice in deed, as well as word, for the cause of God? Would you be willing to deprive yourselves of the greater part of your present opportunities for reading and reflection, and even to make the sacrifice of business that others (who feel it as deeply as you would) have cheerfully made? Perhaps neither may be required of you; nevertheless it is in your power, and consequently incumbent on you, to aid those who have this sacrifice to make. To our brethren generally, and to all who are interested in the perusal of the REVIEW, we appeal in its behalf. You are, aware, dear brethren, that we are engaged in the publication of unpopular truth, and that we cannot hope for favor from the men of this world, or from the popular churches, and that steady opposition must be expected, and that we can only continue in this work by unremitting toil and sacrifice. We look to you for aid and co-operation. Shall we look in vain? Do you ask what can we do? We answer, that with the blessing of God you can do much. The REVIEW can be freed from embarrassment, and the burden of those engaged in its publication much lightened. All can do something. Those who have paid nothing on the present volume, can very materially aid us by each sending $1, or more. If all such would act with promptness, it would make a great difference in our affairs. We are aware that the present time is one of unusual difficulty in respect to money; yet it cannot be so difficult in many cases for each individual to raise a small sum, as for the publisher to raise the larger sums which he has to pay out from time to time to meet the constant expense of publication. And besides the relief which this would afford the publisher, whose means to pay others is wholly made up in this way, you would experience the blessedness of obedience to that apostolic precept, "Owe no man anything." And those who have already paid for their paper can render very essential help by each taking some small part of the burden which now devolves upon the publisher. And, brethren, would it not be a pleasure to you to share with him in this matter. A burden sufficient to crush one man, may, by being divided into many parts, be easily borne by a large number. Is it not a greater pleasure to share in the burden as you are able than to leave the whole upon a few? We know that many have done nobly, and are still willing to do all their duty in this cause. For all their past aid we feel deeply grateful. We are aware also that many are poor and have but small means with which to render assistance in this work. It is required of a man according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not. With regard to all these matters, it has seemed duty to speak out with freedom. We shall not trouble our brethren with many things of this kind, but that they may understand precisely how it is with the office, and what their duty in the case is, we have set before them this statement. If they wish the REVIEW to continue free from embarrassment, they must still share in the sacrifice necessary to sustain it. Those on whom the labor of its weekly issue devolves, have been making constant sacrifice, not only of their time, but of their own health, as well as ease. Is God a respecter of persons? Does he require the sacrifice of everything on the part of some and comparatively nothing on the part of others? Certainly not. The Apostle tells us that there should be "an equality," and that a part should not be eased by placing all the burden upon a few. 2 Cor. viii, 13, 14. We are satisfied that so great a sacrifice on the part of those who perform the labor of the office is not required by God. And not only this, but that it is absolutely displeasing to him that they should sacrifice health and strength to perform all the work now devolving upon them. All that is done by them is cheerfully performed; but this is no reason that their task should not be lighter. A less number of hours for labor and a more suitable compensation for their labor is certainly demanded. The weekly expense of the REVIEW is now stated to be $60; but this estimation was made more than two years since. Since that time, stock, provisions, &c. &c., have advanced, so as to increase the publisher's expenses $500, yearly. The item of paper used in the office has advanced at least $250, from the prices of the same amount two years since. We now inquire, shall this sum of $500, be made up by those who wish to share in the sacrifices of publishing the "present truth"? It should be made up without delay. This would do much to relieve the office of present embarrassments, and lessen the burden of those in the office. If the friends of truth feel sufficient interest in the cause of God, to aid by donations as the Lord has prospered then the REVIEW will be enabled to continue its weekly course. Our friends should understand that continued sacrifice is necessary if this work is carried steadily forward. It has been continued sacrifice on the part of some all the way, thus far, and we expect that such must continue to be the case until the end. But we do also expect that all our brethren will feel it a privilege to share in this sacrifice. It is proper that we state a few facts relative to the Tract Fund. When it was decided, July 1853, that the publications issued from this office should henceforward be sold, an account was taken of those on hand, which were found to amount to $211. As these had been paid for by donation, it was thought proper that they should be furnished to the traveling brethren gratuitously; particularly to aid those who had to labor in new fields. Some time since, the friends abroad were invited to aid in this work by donations, and to this they have responded quite freely. The manner in which this fund has been appropriated, has been from time to time set forth in the REVIEW. It will be seen however that the fund now consists of books and not of money. Without difficulty our friends could raise this fund to $500. We think that this ought to be done at once. Three important reasons sustain this suggestion. 1. This would place a small capital in the hands of the publisher. And every one who has a just idea of the situation of a publisher must be aware that this is almost indispensable. 2. It would enable us to furnish preaching brethren to a considerable extent with our publications, and thus help them considerably in defraying their expenses. 3. And in addition to the above, it would greatly contribute to the circulation of our tracts. Who will aid in raising this tract fund to $500? This would be a material assistance to the office at this time. And as the manner in which it is disposed of in books to the brethren is published in the REVIEW, the whole matter will remain under the eye of the church at large. Brethren can we not look to you for aid in this thing also? We have alluded to the situation of the Editor. A few words more should be spoken relative to him. He has never desired the position of Editor and Publisher, and has repeatedly urged that some other person should take this responsibility; but it having devolved on him, no small amount of care and perplexity has been his lot. Particularly has this been the case in meeting the expenses of the various works that have been issued from time to time. With a small amount of means it is not easy to meet in advance the necessary expense of the works that have been issued. And besides this, the expenses of sickness in the family have made the pecuniary difficulties of the way much greater. Our brethren will bear these things in mind. If the traveling brethren will act as agents, it is in their power to aid very essentially in setting these facts before the friends that they visit. We trust that they will each take a deep interest in this matter. We now submit the case to the brethren at large. Shall we not have the hearty co-operation of all in this work? We confidently expect it, and shall still labor with cherished hope to spread the truth of God.