General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

LEGAL MEETING OF THE CONSTITUENCY OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen

First Session, May 18, 10:30 A. M.

Conforming with the legal notice published three times in the Review and Herald previous to this meeting, the sixth annual meeting of the constituency of the Review and Herald Publishing Association convened in the large pavilion at Takoma Park, 10:30 A. M., May 18, 1909. GCB May 19, 1909, page 69.13

Elder W. W. Prescott announced the purpose of the meeting, and proposed the election of the customary officers of chairman and secretary. By vote of the members present, W. W. Prescott was chosen chairman, and W. B. Walters secretary. GCB May 19, 1909, page 69.14

The chairman called for a report of the members in attendance, and by a rising vote a very full legal quorum was found to be present, and in this connection he took occasion to make the following statement:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 69.15

W. W. Prescott: I wish to say that while, according to law, certain persons constitute the legal constituency of this association, it must be evident to every one who is familiar with this work that the people of this denomination are the real constituency of our publishing house; that it is not by any special ability of those who have in charge the management of this institution that it succeeds, but because the officers of the general, union, and local conferences, and the church elders and leaders and the people in their homes, have an interest in this work; and not to be forgotten are the faithful workers in the field distributing the literature. GCB May 19, 1909, page 69.16

In calling the attention of the members of the corporation to certain leading facts concerning the recent history of this association, the chairman stated that four years ago it held its annual meeting in connection with the General Conference. It has held regular annual meetings since that time, this being the sixth. The business of the association was removed from Battle Creek, Mich., in August, 1903. In due time and by legal processes, the property remaining after the fire at Battle Creek was purchased from the old Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association by this association, and after suitable quarters were secured, this property was removed to Washington, D. C. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.1

Detailed reports of the different departments of the association for the year 1908 have been prepared by the managers of the various departments, and will be read at this time. The first report is that of the manager. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.2

S. N. Curtiss, manager of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, then presented the following report:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.3

Annual Report of the Review and Herald Publishing Association for the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1908 GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.4

The wheels of time in their rapid revolution have brought us to this, the sixth annual meeting of this new association. Even in the short space of time covered by its existence, important and wonderful changes have taken place in the onward march of the third angel’s message, as well as in that of the world at large. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.5

A very brief review of the past four years may be of interest, since many who are present to-day have not attended an annual meeting since the last General Conference. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.6

When we made our second annual report, on May 16, 1905, our business and editorial offices were located at 222 North Capitol St., Washington; our book department was at 716 Thirteenth Street; while our factory was in Battle Creek. We were then issuing four periodicals—the Review, the Instructor, Life and Health, and the Sabbath School Worker—all the mechanical work, except the press work, being done in the small basement rooms of the building. We still owned, in Battle Creek, the old West Building and the lots on which it stood, as well as the vacant lots on the southeast corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue, occupied by the factory of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association before the fire in December, 1902. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.7

The sale of the assets of the old Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association to the Review and Herald Publishing Association had been confirmed on Feb. 14, 1905, and report was made showing how the purchase price had been provided for. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.8

In our report of four years ago, we stated that “the facilities in Battle Creek, together with what we have here, will probably be about all that will be required for doing our denominational work for some time to come;” but the history of the past four years shows how short-sighted is human judgment when considering the probable growth of this work. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.9

We reported the purchase of certain lots in Takoma Park, comprising about one and seven-eighths acres, for a site for our printing plant, and also suggested plans for the new building. The representatives of our other publishing houses thought we were planning for too large a building; so, after a careful consideration of the matter, and in harmony with their suggestions, the size was made 60 x 90 feet, with three stories and a basement. All who were officially connected with this association could see then that while such a building would be sufficient for immediate needs, it did not provide any adequate place for storage of printed signatures, or for possible growth. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.10

At the third annual meeting of the association the report showed that the new building was ready for occupancy; that a power house 30 x 30 feet had been erected in the rear of the main building and in it installed a 65 horse-power Fairbanks-Morse gas-producer engine and direct-connected generator for the production of our own electricity; that the factory in Battle Creek had been closed, and the entire outfit of machinery and material moved to Washington About 25 of the old employees, with their families, had been transferred to this place. A branch office was left in Battle Creek in charge of J. W. Mace, to supply the publications used in the Lake Union Conference. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.11

The next report covered only eight months, as the time of closing our fiscal year was changed from April 30 to December 31. During the year 1906 the volume of our denominational work was so large that we were obliged to discontinue commercial work, and devote our facilities exclusively to our denominational printing. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.12

The Liberty magazine was started during 1906, the first number bearing date of April. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.13

A shop 24 x 30 feet in size and a fire-proof book-plate vault 20 x 30 feet was built during 1906 at a cost of about $1,500. At this meeting, attention was called to the pressing need for more storage room. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.14

During 1907 another new press of the same size as the two already in use has been purchased, also one of smaller size a book sewing machine, an up-to-date inker and embosser, and a small folder and even with these extra facilities. I was impossible to keep up with the demands made upon us. Our periodical business was rapidly growing, so we purchased still another folder, making three large ones and a small one. The east lots in Battle Creek, as well as the lots on Kalamazoo Street, and the houses and lots on Main and Washington streets, were sold during the year. GCB May 19, 1909, page 70.15

In order to secure prompt delivery of our publications to New England points, and also in order to join the International Tract Society of Hamburg in its efforts to establish a depot for its publications in the United States, it was decided to establish a branch office in New York City. Suitable quarters were leased at 32 Union Square, East, and L. W. Graham, who at that time was connected with the Kansas City branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, was secured as manager. This branch was opened for business in April, 1907. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.1

THE YEAR 1908 GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.2

Notwithstanding the panic troubles which came the latter part of 1907, and continued to be felt by many business firms during 1908, our faithful workers in the field did wonderfully well, and their efforts kept business very lively at our office during the entire year. We started out with a little better stock of books on hand than we had had in previous years; but notwithstanding this our facilities were taxed to the utmost, and our loyal fellow workers were obliged to work early and late to keep up with our orders. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.3

The student-canvassers for books and periodicals, together with the regular force of workers, made very interesting times for us, and gave us a volume of business which was very encouraging—especially so since business men of the world were complaining of small orders and dull business. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.4

On June 8, 1908, the board voted that “owing to the lack of storage room and facilities for getting out the necessary amount of literature, the present building be enlarged by adding an extension of 30 feet on the south end.” Plans for this addition were prepared as soon as possible, and the work was pushed forward rapidly. We have now occupied this new portion for several months. This gives us very much better storage facilities both for printed sheets and completed books, and we have speedily occupied nearly all the available space in the various work-rooms as well. The addition has cost up to date, $11,493.93. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.5

We now have a building 60 x 121 feet, with an aggregate floor space, including the basement, of about 29,000 square feet. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.6

Some of the principal features of interest in our work for the past year have been the printing of 692,000 copies of the Missions Number of the Review, and the first edition of our new medical book, “Practical Guide to Health.” We also issued the new illustrated edition of “Steps to Christ,” “The Man of Valor,” a story of the life of Jonathan, “The Manual of Pronunciation,” and the revised edition of “Christ in Song.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.7

In order to provide electric current for light and power in the evening, when only one or two machines are needed, and it would not pay to run the engine, we have contracted with the Potomac Electric Power Company for the city current, and have installed two 20-ampere Mercury arc rectifiers to transform the alternating to direct current. In case of accident to the engine, or when necessary repairs are to be made, this will also provide a break-down service. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.8

The West Building in Battle Creek was sold last October for $11,000, with the understanding that our branch should have free rent until January 1. Having disposed of nearly all our property in Battle Creek, the board voted that our western branch be removed to South Bend, Ind. A suitable location was found at 212 S. Lafayette Street, and the first floor and basement were rented. This completes our removal from Battle Creek, and will be a source of no little satisfaction to all the loyal friends of this association. Excellent shipping facilities in South Bend enable us to serve our field even more promptly than in the past. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.9

D. W. Reavis, who was long connected with our department of circulation, was by request released last fall to connect with the General Conference, and A. J. S. Bourdeau, of California, secured to take his place. Elder Morris Lukens, who has been in charge of the book department for the last year, having been elected to the presidency of the Indiana Conference, was also released, and entered upon his duties about March 1 of this year. Our editorial staff has also been materially strengthened by the addition of Elder F. M. Wilcox, who is rendering efficient help on the Review, Liberty and the Protestant Magazine. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.10

The number of persons on our payroll for May, 1905, was 31. The number has now increased to 102. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.11

Since the close of our last fiscal year, we have been obliged to purchase another linotype, making three in all. We have also installed another large Miehle press, and still our facilities are taxed to supply the literature required. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.12

A new quarterly, the Protestant Magazine, has just been launched, and judging from the response to our advertising, before any one had seen a copy of the magazine, this new periodical is destined to be the most popular of all. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.13

For fire protection we have waterpipes inside the building at the front and rear, with two hose reels on each floor, together with the most approved kind of liquid and powder extinguishers. A fire-going is to be installed, by which the alarm can be given from any floor. The hose cart belonging to the town of Takoma is, by arrangement with the mayor and council, to be installed in a place specially made for it alongside our building. So we feel that all necessary precaution has been taken to prevent loss by fire. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.14

During the present month we shall have erected on the east side of the main building a fire-escape in harmony with the District regulations, and will make such changes inside the building as are required by the commissioners, to the end that our employees may safely escape it a conflagration should occur. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.15

Detailed reports from the book department, the periodical department, and from our branch houses will be presented by others. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.16

The treasurer’s report shows a substantial gain for the year 1908, and we render grateful praise and thanksgiving to our Father in heaven for his prospering hand, and for his protecting care which has been over the work and the workers. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.17

The next report called for was that of the book department, and was presented by S. Wilbur Curtiss, as follows:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.18

The Book Department GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.19

Since the opening of our office in Takoma Park three years ago, the Lord has blessed us with remarkable prosperity. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.20

Up to Dec. 31, 1908, we had sent out over 11,000 “Daniel and Revelation.” 18,716 “Great Controversy,” and nearly 150,000 small subscription books. In September, 1907, we printed an edition of 24,000 “Coming King.” This edition we expected would be all that would be required for at least two years; but during the summer and fall of 1908, our agents practically sold the entire edition, so that we were obliged to call upon our brethren of the Southern Publishing Association for 1,000 signatures to tide us over until we could print again. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.21

Our tract output has been no small item. Of the Religious Liberty Leaflets alone we have printed 1,050,000, and besides these we have had delivered from the manufacturing department 714,694 other tracts, varying in size from 4 to 48 pages. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.22

We have added two new series of tracts, the Life and Health Leaflets and the Life and Health Series. The former are little tracts of 8 pages, envelope size. The latter are the large-size tracts, the same as the Bible Student’s Library, the number of pages varying from 12 to 48. We have already printed to different numbers of the leaflets and 5 different numbers of the series. It is aimed to enlarge the Life and Health Leaflets and the Life and Health Series until they fully cover the health and temperance principles held by this denomination. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.23

During the last four years, eleven books have been added to those we already manufactured. This number does not include the new edition of “Christ in Song.” The new “Christ in Song” has enjoyed a sale of nearly 2,000 copies a month since the date of its publication. July, 1908. Twenty-five per cent of the orders received have been for the better bindings, that is, at a price of $1 or more. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.24

The causes of the present prosperity in our work are three,—the prospering hand of God; the thorough organization of the field, under trained men; and the hearty co-operation and encouragement given by the general, union, and local conference officers. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.25

Although at present only one half of one per cent of our church-membership is engaged as regular canvassers, in the circulation of our subscription books, the total number of such workers is nearly double that of four years ago. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.26

We expect great things from the Lord in the next few years. We hope to unite the office and the field more closely than ever before, holding up the hands of our faithful State and general agents and canvassers at every step. We mean to keep the importance of the circulation of our literature before those not engaged in the canvassing work, and to urge upon all the importance of spreading the truth in the great cities, that we may reverse our present proportions, and not spend 90 per cent of our effort on 30 per cent of our field. GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.27

The report of the periodical department was next called for, and was presented by the manager, A. J. S. Bourdeau, as follows:— GCB May 19, 1909, page 71.28

Annual Report of the Periodical Department for the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1908 GCB May 19, 1909, page 72.1

The sale of our periodicals the past year has been very encouraging. Over 3,000 agents are actually engaged in the sale of Life and Health, Liberty, and the temperance number of the Youth’s Instructor. Besides these, we also have numerous other agents who engage in the work intermittently. GCB May 19, 1909, page 72.2

In its issue of March 25, the Christian Advocate, the most influential Methodist paper in American, referred, in its leading editorial, to Seventh-day Adventists as “indefatigable proselytizers.” Without doubt the immense circulation of our various denominational papers and magazines has helped to brand us as such. GCB May 19, 1909, page 72.3

Something of an idea of the relative importance of the circulation of our periodicals and other literature may be gained by the consideration of a few statistics. For instance, the total retail value of literature sales by the Review and Herald Publishing Association during the year 1908 amounted to $300,574.18 (including subscription books, trade books, tracts, and periodicals). The retail value of the periodical sales amounted to $148,475, or over forty-nine per cent of the total amount. In these statistics and many others that might be quoted we find a verification of the statement made some years ago by the spirit of prophecy, that “our papers are doing a greater work than the living preacher can do.” GCB May 19, 1909, page 72.4