BOOKS! BOOKS!! by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 16, 1860

BOOKS! BOOKS!!

By James White

We are constantly publishing, and re-publishing Pamphlets and Tracts for circulation in the wide field. And while this work is increasing upon our hands, we feel thankful to God and his faithful stewards for the facilities so cheerfully furnished in the publishing department.

Great care has been taken in preparing our works for the press. They are printed upon the strictest plan of economy, so that they can be furnished at low prices. But we are very much dependent on the church of God scattered abroad for their circulation. What do you say, brethren and sisters? Shall the Steam Press keep moving? Do you want to send the present truth—soul-stirring Bible truth—to your relatives, friends and acquaintances everywhere? The Press and the Post Office department are at your service. Send your orders, and the amount of our published prices, and the truth shall be sent to them. Venture out, brethren and sisters, and cast bread upon the waters.

But we depend very much upon our active preachers to circulate our works. They, with their own hearts warm with the truth, proclaim it in the ears of the people, arrest their attention, and kindle in them a strong desire to read and learn more and more. That is just the time to present before them our publications.

We have never recommended a broadcast circulation of our works free. Neither do we recommend advertising them as free to those who have no money. But we do say that all our preachers, especially those in new fields, should be placed in circumstances so as to be able to hand out tracts to those who give evidence that they want them, and are not able to pay for them. Our Missionary fund has assisted some to spread the truth in new fields, and can more. We would say to our poor preachers, Lay not down the armor! Let your wants be known to the Missionary Board! They will help you, according to their judgment, as long as there are funds in the treasury. And the best way you can be helped from the treasury is to have the

amount sent to you in books from this Office at 40 per cent discount from published prices.

We wish here to recommend to our preachers, who are all colporteurs, as the cheapest and best way to get books from this Office, to take at least $100 worth at a time, and have them sent as Rail Road freight. We print large editions, and have tons of books lying in this Office. A portion of them may as well be deposited in good hands in the different States, as to be lying in the Office. We say, then, let our active preachers order our books, $100 worth at a time at least, and pay for them as fast as they sell them.

Or if churches, or individuals will send the cash with orders, we will send them books at 40 per cent discount from published prices. They can then help our preachers by letting them take them at cost. We say to our money men, Here is a chance to put out your money at better interest in the end than at six, seven, or ten per cent. The cause of Bible truth! The cause of the soon coming Saviour! The salvation of the poor perishing sinner! This is a noble cause. It is urgent, and calls on you for help. The bank of heaven never failed, and never will. We recommend to you, as the safest deposit, to put a few hundred dollars into publications at 40 per cent discount from published prices. There should be a deposit in each of the New England States, in New York, Penn., Ohio, Ind., Mich. Ills., Wis., Iowa and Minnesota. In some of these States there should be two or three. This arrangement would help preachers, help the Office, and help much to more widely disseminate Bible truth. Railroad freight is cheaper than postage, so save the difference to help your preachers. For instance, we send the History of the Sabbath by mail for $10 per 100, as freight where $100 worth of books is ordered, and cash with order, for $6 per 100. The postage would be $1; freight probably from five to twenty-five cents on 100 copies, according to the distance. Said Jesus, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." This declaration was certainly designed to teach economy.

Some seem to fear if they get our books on their hands, that they cannot sell them all. We would say to such that we will take off their hands at any time, any amount of any kind of our books, and give them others in return, or pay them the money at what they are worth at this Office.

We say that the Steam Press should keep moving. Brethren and sisters, this will depend upon your faithfulness in circulating our publications. To those who are not visited by preachers with an assortment of books, we would say, You can get them through the mail, post-paid, at our published prices. It would be an advantage to the Office to send all our books through the mail, but we act for the general good, and say, Let them go out of this Office in large boxes, at lowest rates, and let the truth blaze abroad. J. W.