The Twentieth Volume by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1862

The Twentieth Volume

By Editor

This number introduces to our readers the twentieth volume of the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, November, 1850 we issued No. 1, of Vol. 1. This sheet has, since that time, past through varied scenes of prosperity and adversity. It has had firm and devoted friends and supporters from the first and those friends have gradually increased. It has had many adversaries, some of whom have violently and maliciously sought to decrease its circulation, and injure its influence. But the bitterest of these have been apostates from the faith, men who, because they could not have every thing in their own way, left with the spirit of resentment, that poisonous offspring of mortified pride.

These men have had influence from time to time with too many of the friends of the Review, and have caused unhappy divisions for a time. But the honest and the true at heart, although they may have been confused for a short time, have soon found their places in the ranks again with experience to guard them against distracting influences. But the friends of the Review are becoming more cautious of strangers, and untried men, and more highly price the old tried and proved friends of the cause. Again, organization, systematic benevolence, experience, spiritual gifts, and the Love of God, are uniting our people, so that it will become more and more difficult to distract and divide them.

These things are most encouraging for the future usefulness of the Review.

We design to be more select in furnishing matter for the paper. Some may not see the necessity of this, and may be in danger of being displeased. We hope all will have confidence in us, however, that we intend to do that which will best advance the cause. Let this serve as a notice to save from disappointment. We refer particularly to local and personal matters, such as lengthy reports of the finances of one State, or a portion of it; or statements concerning the wants of individuals, or resolutions in their praise. If it be necessary to publish such matters, let them be prepared with the greatest caution for an extra or circular, and send to those only whom the matter concerns. Then all can be served, all pleased, and the REVIEW be not cumbered with too many local matters.

The Review cannot hold everything, and we hope it will ever be too small for spun out matters of local interest. Brethren condense your resolutions as far as convenient, and be sure to give us stirring reports of what you, in the name of the Lord, do. The Bible presents one thrilling book called the Acts of the Apostles, but none entitled the Resolutions of the Apostles. It is good to resolve in the strength of the Lord, but better to perform.

We again invite the brethren and sisters to write for the Review. Reports of meetings are cheering; so are experiences of those who are advancing, whether they have been long in the way of truth, or have just entered it. Who will give us a series of articles for Vol. xx, on some one of the following subjects—Prophecy of Daniel—Signs of the times—The sanctuary—The sealing—Time of trouble—Seven last plagues—Bible holiness—Who we must do to be saved—Nature and object of Christ's second advent—The two resurrections—New earth—New Jerusalem &c. Here is work enough for those who can think and write. Come, brethren, take one of these subjects, read up, study the Bible in regard to it, pray much, dive to the very bottom of the subject, and let us have a series of good clear condensed, stirring articles. The twentieth volume of the Review and Herald may be richer in experience and thought than any before it.