It is due to those who have borne the burden and responsibility of publishing the ADVENT REVIEW and the various Tracts that have been issued from this Office, that a brief statement of their course be made. Few persons have a just idea of this, and therefore many are liable to receive false impressions.
The ADVENT REVIEW, for several volumes, was published gratuitously. During most of this time the Tracts that were issued from the Office, were published on the same principle. The design of thus sending out the truth was to place it in the reach of all, and to arrest the attention of those who might be too indifferent to otherwise come within its reach. In order to sustain the expenses of this mode of publication, it was necessary for those who loved the cause of truth to pay for their own paper and Tracts, and for as many other persons as they were able.
But in this mode of publication there was one great evil. To a very great extent the burden of the publishing department was borne by the poor of the flock. Those who supported themselves and families by their daily toil, bore a very large portion of this expense, while many who professed to love the truth, who were possessed of ample means, received the paper and publications without expense. When Tracts were to be issued, it was necessary to ask for a large donation, that those to whom they were sent out might receive them free of charge. In such cases many who possessed considerable means did much; but with all this, a very large portion of the expense was met by those who had nothing but the product of their daily toil. That such should be the case was certainly wrong. It cannot be the will of God that a part should bear all the burden and all the rest be free from expense. An equality in bearing the burdens of the way is far more acceptable to God, and far more in accordance with the spirit of the gospel. And it is a fact which all experience demonstrates as a general truth, that those who receive papers and publications free of expense to themselves, are very apt to think them of little or no value, and to conclude that it costs nothing to publish them, simply because it costs them nothing to receive them.
Others who receive them in this way think that the perusal of them is all the duty that they have in the matter; and seem to come to the conclusion that because they have been sent them without charge, that therefore some one has become under obligation to continue to supply them free of expense. This may seem all right to them; but to the publisher, and to every one who looks into the facts, it seems otherwise. Who can believe, that it is the will of God that laboring men, who have no other way to support their families and to meet the expenses of life, should bear a great part of this burden in order to enable others to receive the paper and publications without cost to themselves?125
That this evil might be remedied, and that there might be "an equality," a different, and, as we think, a more reasonable and scriptural plan has been adopted. The paper and publications are offered at the lowest, possible price; a price which almost every one can meet; and which if all would meet on the paper in advance, would not with our present list of subscribers sustain the expense of its publication.
Since the price was fixed to the paper and publications, the price of stock, provisions and almost everything has greatly advanced. Besides this, many who receive the paper have as yet been backward in sending the pay, forgetting that the terms are in advance.
Without the most rigid economy, the expenses of the Office would not be met by much. The sacrifices which those have made who have given their time and strength to the work of publishing, have neither been few nor small. For several years Bro. White has given all his time and strength to this work without regard to health or ease. The care and toil which have devolved upon him have been great. That the means which the friends of the cause have furnished might be made to answer their design, every expense that could be, has been cut down. This all will bear witness to, who are acquainted with the facts in the case.
Some of our friends think it wrong to sell publications. "Buy the truth, and sell it not," is with them a favorite maxim. But some such seem to forget all but the last part of the text. They would receive publications free of expense to themselves and then they might well give them away. To such as apply this maxim to Tract distribution we would with all kindness suggest that it is equally incumbent on them to obey the first part of the text as the last. Nay, further, if they would perform the last as an act of sacrifice to God, they must by no means omit the first. David was careful not to offer to God as a burnt offering, that which cost him nothing.
But we are not opposed to the giving away of Tracts in any proper way. If those who think this the only proper course, will bear the expense of the Tracts that they wish to have given away in their section of the field, they shall be furnished them at the least possible expense; but we do not believe that any of the friends of truth would wish that the burden should all rest upon this Office: it cannot be the case that any should be thus unjust. Perhaps, however, it may be suggested that the friends of truth would meet this expense at once. Admit that they would, what class would respond to such a call? We answer that it would be those who have borne the greater part of the expense in every similar effort. We cannot think it duty for such to bear all the burden. If any think otherwise, let them bear the responsibility of making the call; but let them not insist on its being done here.
It may be said that the sale of publications seems too much like a speculation. None will make this charge who understand the case. A few facts on this point must suffice. In the first place, nearly all that is printed in the REVIEW is original matter. It would be much less labor to fill its columns with selected matter already prepared for the printer, than to take original communications and fit them for the press. Besides this, no advertisements are published in the REVIEW. If such were the case it would defray considerable expense and save labor in typesetting.
Another item of some consequence is this: instead of using such paper as would perish with two or three perusals, the REVIEW has been printed on paper of a fair quality, that would endure some wear.
To show the low price at which the REVIEW is offered, we refer to the Signs of the Times, the earliest Advent paper. This sheet was not quite the size of the ADVENT REVIEW. Its subscription list was, after a little while, probably considerable larger than that of the REVIEW at the present time; and the expense of printing has advanced within ten years from 10 to 20 per cent. But the Signs of the Times was published at $2 a year, while the REVIEW is offered at $1 per year.
In regard to Tracts, Bro. White stated before the brethren assembled in conference in this city, July, 1853, and June, 1854, that he could furnish those Tracts, that would warrant a sale sufficient to publish editions of not less than 5000 copies, at the rate of 2000 pages for $1, which is at least 25 per cent lower than has heretofore been furnished at any Advent Office. Notwithstanding the advanced prices of stock, provisions, &c. &c., Bro. White thinks he can still furnish Tracts as above, provided the pay is sent with orders for Tracts. From editions of less than 5000 copies, or containing engravings, they will be furnished as low as possible.
We recommend to the churches, and the scattered brethren in different States, to raise a Tract Fund, according to their wants, to be placed in the hands of a suitable Agent, who shall purchase such Tracts, and as often, as the cause may demand. Traveling preachers, and those who wish a quantity of publications to distribute, can then obtain them of the Agents at cost, including freight, &c.
We have made these remarks, not to reflect upon any person, but simply to set the subject in a proper light before the brethren. If the plan which now governs our course can be improved we shall be glad to do it. Meanwhile we ask the earnest co-operation of all the friends of truth.
It may be proper here to state the relation which the Publishing Committee and the Editor sustain to the ADVENT REVIEW and to each other, as defined at the Conference at Ballston, N. Y., March, 1852:—
Previous to choosing the Editor and Committee it was plainly stated, and understood by all present, that it should be the duty of the Editor to select such matter for the REVIEW as in his judgment would be proper and for the advancement of the cause of truth; but if the Committee should think the matter, or any portion of it, published in the REVIEW, not proper, and not suited to the wants of the cause, they should call the Editor to account, and have power to remove him and select another, at any time that in their judgment such a change would be better for the cause of truth. And if the Editor rejects articles written for the REVIEW, and the writers still urge their publication, the Editor shall submit them to the Committee, and abide their decision. And if the Editor cannot conscientiously abide by the decisions of the committee, he is at liberty to resign his office, his place to be filled by the choice of the Committee. The Committee to be amenable to the Church.