General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

RETURN TO FIRST PRINCIPLES

As regards the old-time question of territorial responsibilities and territorial rights, I believe we should go back to the principles and plans adopted in the Conference of 1886. It was then recognized that the book business is one of the most successful missionary enterprises of the denomination; that it is the one missionary enterprise most nearly self-supporting. It was then recognized that it was right for our Conferences to share the financial burden of supporting the general field agents. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.2

It was then agreed that wherever our State tract societies, assisted by the Conference when necessary, should maintain a State agent in the field, that society should have entire control of the sale of subscription books in its territory. But times have changed. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.3

Our district book agents are now supported and directed by the offices of publication, and our State societies have economized, sometimes by dismissing their field agent, sometimes by employing a portion of his time in the office, and our subscription book business has steadily declined. In some States only a small portion of the territory is being worked, and that for only a few books, and yet the society claims exclusive rights in its territory, not only for subscription books, but in some cases for trade books also. This is absurd. This is wrong. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.4

The true principle regarding the occupation and control of territory is given us in the Lord’s instruction to Joshua, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you.” GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.5

If Israel had gone forward in faith, overrunning and occupying all the territory which afterward comprised the kingdom of David, it would have been theirs as long as they occupied it. But they were indolent and easily satisfied, and settled down in a small portion of this territory, and the heathen nations came in and settled around them. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.6

Some time ago one of our State tract societies proposed to concentrate its whole energies on the sale of “Steps to Christ.” I was asked by the publishers, “What shall we do?” The answer was plain, “Give them complete control of their State on ‘Steps to Christ,’ and send your agents into the territory to sell the other books.” On the same principle, if the State society can work only one fourth of its territory, it should open the same for someone else to work the other three fourths. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.7

It is important that we build up the trade-book business. Our State societies are not in a position to do this. The publishers must undertake it, and our tract societies must not stand in the way. I believe God will bless us in making plans at this meeting for the opening up of this important field to those who can work it. The frown of God will rest upon us as individuals, as churches, as tract societies, or as publishing associations if we allow ourselves to drift into a selfish policy, or endeavor to control territory which we do not work. GCB April 2, 1901, page 10.8