General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

The year ending March 31, 1900, was the banner year in the circulation of the Signs of the Times. The total number printed that year was 2,508,250 copies, or an average weekly circulation of nearly 50,000. But it also suffered the greatest financial loss. This can be accounted for in part by the increase in the cost of stock, the additional editorial help employed, and the very low subscription rates. GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.14

At the last meeting of the stockholders it was decided to increase the subscription price of the Signs from $1 to $1.50 a year, and the club rates have also been slightly advanced. On account of this, and the fact that our people devoted their energies during the holidays almost exclusively to the selling of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” the circulation was quite materially reduced. But already we see the tide turning, and the subscription list is on the increase. GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.15

Never have the publishers received more hearty words of commendation than have come to us within the last few months, and if all could realize what this “Pioneer” is able to accomplish in the dissemination of light and truth, its circulation would soon be doubled, yea, trebled. GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.16

The Lord has designated the Signs of the Times as “Our Pioneer Paper,” and it is found to be especially adapted to opening up the work in new places and in our large cities. Many of our readers no doubt saw the article from Brother C. T. Shaffer in the February Supplement to the Review and Herald, entitled “Experience with Our Pioneer Paper.” For over a year and a half Brother Shaffer has been using a club of from 400 to 500 copies of the Signs in his work in the city of Washington, D. C., one of the hardest cities in the whole country to work. He has been working among the better class,—office-holders, etc.,—and with remarkable success. He states that from the time he began to the present, the interest on the part of his readers to know the truth has developed far in excess of his ability to meet and follow up. All should read the article referred to. GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.17

A few weeks ago we received a very interesting letter from Elder W. D. Curtis, giving his experience with the Signs in Peoria, Ill. With a corps of workers he entered that city a few months ago, and ordered a club of 500 Signs. Among other things, he says:— GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.18

“The dear Lord has wonderfully blessed our workers, although it has not been all sunshine. I had to talk courage to them when they came in without an order, for sometimes they had that experience. Our conflicts brought us near the Lord, and as faith took hold upon the promises of God, success attended our efforts. The required number of orders were secured in a short time, and are now being handled nicely. The paper always leaves a good impression unless the person is full of prejudice. GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.19

“Our workers are making five hundred visits in this city, weekly. The patrons soon lose the reserve that at first surrounds them, and then they readily enter into conversation with the worker; and soon, as a result of the questions asked by the subscriber, the worker is giving them Bible readings and they do not realize it. Soon they become deeply interested in the study of the Bible, and when we begin public work, and the workers tell them of the character of the meetings, and invite them to attend, they are pleased to do so. This gives the speaker an audience of interested persons to begin with.” GCB April 9, 1901, page 166.20

We trust that this plan that has been found to work so well, will be adopted by many others. GCB April 9, 1901, page 167.1

We have quite a number of good agents in various parts of the country, who handle all the way from fifty to five hundred copies of the Signs weekly, and we want many more. GCB April 9, 1901, page 167.2

The “World’s Harvest Number,” issued in the autumn of 1899, reached a circulation of over 250,000 copies. The “World’s Outlook Number,” issued last fall, also had a circulation of nearly 250,000, and this number is still selling. GCB April 9, 1901, page 167.3