General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

THE WORK IN EUROPE

During the years 1885 to 1888, most of the work of translating and publishing books in the European languages was transferred to the European printing houses. Large sums of money had been raised by the Mission Board for the establishment of these European printing houses, and considerable sums were voted year by year for the translation and publication of new works. In the appropriations of the Mission Board for this use such items as the following will be found: “For the translation and publication of new works in the German and French at the Basel printing house, $3,000; for translation and publication of new works at the Christiania office, $2,000.” GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.3

As time advanced, and laborers in the European field rapidly increased, the Mission Board found that it had a heavy burden to carry in supporting the ministers, and in advancing from four to six thousand dollars a year for the improvement of the literature. The Mission Board also observed that there was much perplexity and disagreement between the managers of the European publishing houses and the managers of the American publishing houses regarding the sale and purchase of sets of plates to be used in bringing out American editions of new books. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.4

A little later it was observed that the publication and sale in America of the German and Scandinavian books were quite profitable to the publishers, whereas the publication and sale of the European editions of the same works would barely meet expenses. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.5

Some time in 1889 or 1890, plans were perfected which, it was thought, would simplify the management of the foreign book business, and lift the heavy burden off the Foreign Mission Board by taking the profits from the best part of the field, and applying them to the translation and bringing out of new editions. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.6

The plan proposed was about as follows: The General Conference Association will employ translators and editors to prepare for the printers those books which are most needed and which give best promise of a successful sale. It will employ the Review and Herald or one of the European houses to set the type, and make as many sets of plates as may be required in the publications of the work for both Europe and America. It will arrange with the Review and Herald to print the books, and deliver them to the tract societies, to collect pay for the same, and to charge the General Conference Association a small percentage for doing the business, thus giving the General Conference Association all the publishers’ profits from the American editions. Sets of plates will then be furnished to the European offices as needed, upon favorable conditions in accordance with their strength. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.7

As soon as this plan of work was established, a very heavy burden was lifted from the Mission Board, and everything seemed to go forward prosperously for a time. Several popular books were brought out in rapid succession, large numbers of agents were sent into the field, and many thousands of books were sold in the United States. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.8

But in its efforts to make money for the missionary cause, the General Conference Association overreached its proper bounds. It became a competitor with the publishing houses in the publication and sale of English books, and in other ways took to itself responsibilities which brought condemnation and reproof. This led to a distribution of its book business among the leading denominational publishing houses. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.9

It is exceedingly to be regretted that on account of the perplexity and confusion existing at that time, the distribution of business was made without a clear understanding and acknowledgment on the part of the publishing houses of their duty and obligation to take up and carry forward the work which the General Conference Association laid down, namely, translating, printing, and promoting the sale in conjunction with our foreign offices, of our denominational and health books in the European languages. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.10

As a result of neglect, we have seen the rapid decline of the sale in the United States, of our books in the German, Danish, Swedish, and other European languages. Only about one tenth as much was done in this line in 1900 as in 1892. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.11

When I was last in America, in 1897, I endeavored to learn where the responsibility of this work rested, but could not find anyone who had any clear views to express regarding it. Since then I have carefully watched the movements of the Review and Herald, the Pacific Press, the International Tract Society, and the Foreign Mission Board, and I have not discerned that any of these felt that the matter rested with them, and were grappling with the situation in an energetic way. GCB April 2, 1901, page 7.12

The question will at once be raised as to how the General Conference could undertake this work without committing the same errors, and bringing itself into the same position as did the General Conference Association. It can avoid the errors of the General Conference Association, first, by recognizing the publishing houses established in Battle Creek, Oakland, Basel, Hamburg, and Christiana as agencies appointed of God for the execution of the work and for the carrying of a large share of the financial responsibility; second, by co-operating with these houses as an advisory body; third, by sharing the financial burden of the work in such a way as to encourage and help the publishing houses while in no way interfering with them in the sale of the books or in other details of the work; fourth, by arousing our people everywhere to rally to the support of this work by donations, and by their labors in circulating the books; fifth, by bearing the burden of adaptation, translation, and publication of books in languages where the sales are very limited or unremunerative. GCB April 2, 1901, page 8.1

The General Conference, through some agency appointed for this work, can first appeal to the Review and Herald and Pacific Press to take a large share of the burden and responsibility of translating and publishing works which are needed. In all such cases it should secure the co-operation of the most experienced laborers in the European fields in the translation and adaptation of these books, so that two sets of plates could be made, one for use in America and one for Europe. It could then share the expense of bringing out the work by purchasing a set of plates for use in Europe, which it could permit the European house to use by the payment of a reasonable royalty. GCB April 2, 1901, page 8.2

When the American houses have gone as far as they are willing in this matter, the General Conference should take the work in hand, securing the very best men to adapt and translate the books, and the best house for the typesetting and plate-making. When two sets of plates are made, one might be furnished to the Review and Herald, and one to the European office best fitted to handle the work in that language, with permission to print, bind, and sell, and pay a certain percentage on the wholesale price of all books sold. GCB April 2, 1901, page 8.3

By this plan there would be no interference with the business of the established publishing houses, and no care of details by the General Conference. If the percentage was properly adjusted, the General Conference would not only receive back what it invests in many books, but it would also receive an additional sum, which would go toward the publication of books in those languages where there is a limited circulation. Thus it would be free from those features of the business which brought the General Conference Association into disrepute, and with the smallest amount of capital it could virtually control the issue of literature, and at the same time encourage the publishing houses already established to do a work which they might not be able to do without this assistance. This plan takes away all bartering between the several printing houses, and while assisting all, it encroaches upon the rights of none. GCB April 2, 1901, page 8.4

When the General Conference bears this relation to the publishing business, it will very naturally come about that many authors will dedicate the royalties on their translated works to certain missionary enterprises. Some authors, like mother, would wish to control the appropriation of this royalty. Others will prefer to leave the appropriation with some board, and many might wish to allow all their rights to be the property of the General Conference in case of their death. GCB April 2, 1901, page 8.5