DUTIES OF THE EDITOR by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1861

DUTIES OF THE EDITOR.

By Editor

We do not design to point out at this time all the duties of the editor of the REVIEW, but only to refer to some things which we think are not his duty.

For the past six weeks more than one half the time we could spare for reading and writing has been occupied with matters entirely outside of editorial duties, matters which should not be thrown upon us.

It is wrong for a few individuals to claim his time to read and answer long letters, filled with the gloom of individual or church difficulties that might with the use of a little humility and common sense be settled in five minutes. It is not the duty of the editor of the REVIEW to be detained and troubled with such matters. He is not under obligations to these individuals in particular. But he is under the most solemn obligations to the ten thousand readers of this humble sheet. It is the only regular preacher of the Seventh-day Adventists from Maine to Minnesota, as our ministers are not stationed. And its epistles of experience and exhortation are the only social meetings the scattered ones enjoy. Think of it. To about six hundred different post-offices, but a single copy of the REVIEW is sent.

Give the editor time to think. Do not trouble him with other matters so that he will be obliged to write and act without proper reflection. He has many things to think of pertaining to his calling.

Give him time to pray. Instead of beclouding his mind with matters he has no business with, give him time to commune with God, and have his spirit refreshed. If any man on earth should walk with God, it is the man filling so responsible a place as editor of the REVIEW. Better be praying for him than burdening his mind.

It is a common thing to receive letters from brethren in reference to land, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, grain or labor, requiring a letter of lengthy statements, and, perhaps, advice. And they generally forget to put in a postage stamp or two to pay postage, &c. on the letter they require. And one man wrote to this Office some time since, wishing assistance in selecting a partner for life. The editor of the REVIEW has never advertised himself as holding agencies in any of these things. His calling, in point of importance, is as much above these things as the heavens are higher than the earth. Then let these things no more find a place upon his table. All matters of church difficulty or discipline proper to hold a place in the REVIEW, will be received with pleasure; but matters requiring private letters will be carefully laid by till called for.