Chapter 2—The Character of Periodical Articles
Practical, Elevating, and Helpful—An indiscriminate class of
articles should not be published in our periodicals. Cheap, worthless
stories should find no place in them. There are articles of romance and
fiction which contain no seeds that will bear good fruit. I would say to
our editors, Be careful in the selection of the matter which is to go to
the world. Show the greatest caution and discernment. Be careful that
the Review and Herald and the Signs of the Times are kept free from
worthless matter. Precious matter from what has already been printed
can be found for our papers.
I hope that God will sanctify the perceptive faculties of our editors.
I read an article in the Signs of a few weeks back which would have
done very well for a comic almanac, but for such a paper as the Signs
it was only as hay, wood, and stubble. My heart ached as I read it. If
there was any germ of truth in the seed sown, I could not find it. I do
not think the article could in any way benefit those who read it.
The tastes of some who write for our papers need to be educated
and refined. The editors of the Review and Herald and the Signs of the
Times should refuse to fill the columns of these papers with articles
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manufactured by minds which reveal themselves in their productions.
Articles in any way coarse should be refused as matter unworthy of
notice,—the production of those who know nothing of pure, elevated,
and sanctified communion with God. Let no rough, uncouth presenta-
tion find place in our papers. The articles which go to thousands of
readers should show purity, elevation, and sanctification of soul, body,
and spirit on the part of the writer. The pen should be used as a means
of sowing seed unto eternal life. This is a “Thus saith the Lord.”
The articles published in our papers should contain pure provender,
thoroughly winnowed from chaff. We are living in a most solemn
time. Let our editors call for articles giving living experience. Let
the ministers regard it as a part of their duty to send short articles of
experience to our papers. It will be food for those who are laboring in
isolated places, in foreign countries and the islands of the sea, to hear
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