Tract Societies
551
Our papers should not be filled with long discussions or long doctri-
nal arguments, which would weary the reader; but they should contain
short and interesting doctrinal and practical articles. The price of our
papers should not be made so low that no margin is left to work upon.
The same interest which has been manifested to circulate the Signs of
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the Times should be shown in extending the circulation of the Review.
If this is done, success will attend the effort.
We are upon the enchanted ground, and Satan is continually at
work to rock our people to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. There
is an indifference, a lack of zeal, that paralyzes all our efforts. Jesus
was a zealous worker; and when His followers shall lean on Him, and
work as He worked, they will see and realize corresponding results.
An effort must be made to place a proper value on our publications and
bring them back gradually to a proper basis. We should not be affected
by the cry of speculation, money-making! We should press steadily
forward, unmoved by censure, uncorrupted by applause. It will be a
greater task to work back upon a proper basis than many suppose, but
it must be done in order to save our institutions from embarrassment.
Our brethren should be guarded lest they become stereo-typed in
their plans and labors. They may spend time and money in preparing
an exact channel, that the work must be done in just such a way or it is
not done right. There is danger of being too particular. There should
be greater care to avoid expense in transporting books and persons.
The influence is bad upon the cause of God. Brethren, you should
move cautiously, economically, and judiciously. A great work is to
be done, and our offices are embarrassed. There are men who work
faithfully in the office at Battle Creek who do not receive an equivalent
for their labor. Justice is not done these men. In other work they could
earn double the amount received here, but they conscientiously keep
to their business because they feel that God’s cause needs their help.
There is a great work to be done in the day of God’s preparation
in devising and executing plans for the advancement of His cause.
Our publications should have a wide circulation, for they are doing a
great work. There is much missionary work to be done. But I have
been shown that there is danger of having this work too mechanical,
so intricate and complicated that less will be accomplished than if it
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were more simple, direct, plain, and decided. We have neither time
nor means to keep all parts of this machinery in harmonious action.