Counsels to Writers
55
out link after link in a connected chain by the earnest searchers after
truth, should be given to the people, and it will be adapted to meet
the wants of many. Brevity should be studied, in order to interest the
reader. Long, wordy articles are an injury to the truth which the writer
aims to present.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:671
(1871).
Long Articles—One Writer—I wish to ask you to be sure and
keep your articles in the Watchman [
The Watchman, known formerly as
The Southern Watchman, is now issued under the name These Times.
]
constantly. Elder-----’s articles are long, and unless he changes, he will
kill the circulation of the Watchman. There should be short, spiritual
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articles in the Watchman. I shall write again to Elder-----. I cannot
give my consent to have one man’s signature to so many long articles.
Brother-----, this order of things must change. But how shall we bring
about a change? What can we do? I will write to Elder-----and see if it
will do any good. I will do my best. May the Lord give wisdom and
sound judgment. There is need of deeper spirituality in the articles
published in the Watchman, if the interest in the paper is to be kept
up.—
Letter 78, 1906
.
Our Ministers to Write—Ministers who are engaged in active
labor in the cause of God, and who have earned a reputation among
our people, should use their influence to the very best advantage.
Their responsibilities do not cease with their pulpit labors. It is
the duty of all who can write, especially those who minister in holy
things, to exercise their talents in this direction. They should feel that
it is one branch of their work to give tangible proofs of their interest
in the Review and Herald, by the pointed, spiritual articles from their
pens for its columns. This paper, which is the only preaching that
hundreds have, is not what it might be, or what it should be. Here is
an opportunity to speak to thousands, and all who do speak through
the Review should have a burden of something to say.
Mediocre Articles—Men of but small experience who have but
little influence, can get up commonplace sermons. Some of the people
read them, while others feel no interest to read them. There is nothing
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in the words, or arrangement of ideas, that melts and burns its way into
the heart. Some have interest enough to read every sermon, however
deficient in new ideas and interest. When individuals in process of time
become acquainted with the men whose names appear at the head of
their sermons, they see that these men are not all what they profess to