General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
STEREOPTICON LECTURE
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
On the evening after the Sabbath, May 15, Brother E. R. Palmer, secretary of the Publishing Department, presented a stereopticon report of the publishing work. This was given under two heads,—historical and statistical. A sketch was given of the rise and progress of the publishing work from its beginning in 1845 until the close of 1908. Slides had been prepared showing interesting pages of the first tracts, periodicals, and books published. These showed up very clearly on the screen. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.2
The history of the work was also outlined in decades, showing the principal events during the past sixty-four years. A summary of the sale of literature during the entire period was thrown upon the screen as follows:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.3
| 1845-1854 | $ 2,500 | |
| 1855-1864 | 17,500 | |
| 1865-1874 | 73,000 | |
| 1875-1884 | 371,000 | |
| 1885-1894 | 3,969,000 | |
| 1895-1904 | 3,144,000 | |
| Total for sixty years | $7,577,000 | |
| 1905 | $ 548,000 | |
| 1906 | 824,000 | |
| 1907 | 1,035,000 | |
| 1908 | 1,280,000 | |
| Total for four years | $3,687,000 | |
| Grand total | $11,264,000 | |
It will be seen by studying these figures that the sale of literature during the first sixty years amounted to $7,577,000. During the past four years, it has amounted to $3,687,000. The sales during the past few years have amounted to a little more than a half million dollars more than during the previous ten years, and amounted to nearly one third of the sales during the entire sixty-four years. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.4
Many interesting comparisons may be made by studying these figures. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.5
The following points were emphasized in the report:— GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.6
1. That the great things of God usually develop from small beginnings. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.7
2. These figures show that the grand old cause is rapidly marching on. Rapid progress made in the circulation of literature is but an index to the progress made in all departments. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.8
3. In the fifth decade, 1885-1894, the circulation of our literature rapidly increased as the result of thorough organization. During the next decade, 1895-1904, there was a decline as the result of disorganization. During the past four years, there has been a strong revival as the result of the revival of the plans of organization, sometimes referred to as reorganization. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.9
The Publishing Department is to give one more stereopticon lecture, in which the congregation will be taken on a trip through all the publishing houses of the denomination. The managers of each house will show the congregation through their respective offices by throwing the views on the screen. GCB May 17, 1909, page 41.10