198
The Publishing Ministry
Periodicals to Be Kept Separate [
Addressed to the General Con-
ference Committee and the publishing boards of the Review and Herald
and the Pacific Press.
]—I have received a letter from Brother T in ref-
erence to changes which it is proposed to make in the publication of
our periodicals. Questions are asked in reference to these matters. One
is, “Shall our periodicals be combined in one paper or magazine?”
Brother T further says: “Some suggest that the Review, Home Mission-
ary, and Sabbath School Worker be combined in one paper, to be used
as our regular church paper; have the Review enlarged to 32 pages
and divide it up into different departments, covering the different lines
of work. All three of the papers are designed especially for our own
people, and I am not sure but that this combination could be effected.
Some have thought that the Instructor and Little Friend could also be
combined in our church paper. Another suggestion is that the Signs
of the Times and the American Sentinel be combined in one pioneer
missionary paper.”
I cannot see wisdom in the policy of having all our periodicals
combined in one paper or magazine. Each of our periodicals has its
own place, and is to do a specific work. Let our brethren inquire, Has
the necessity of this work, and its object, changed? If you think so,
then wherein?—
Letter 71, 1894
. (
Selections from the Testimonies
Setting forth Important Principles Relating to Our Work in General,
18, 19
.)
Small and Large Journals—God would have His work move
firmly and solidly, but no one branch is to interfere with or absorb
other branches of the same great work. From time to time for years in
the past, God has been pleased to give me special light on these points.
I was shown that the small periodicals, as well as the larger ones, are
to come forth from the publishing houses and be scattered like the
leaves of autumn to answer the wants of the cause in its growth and
extension.—
Letter 71, 1894
. (
Selections from the Testimonies Setting
forth Important Principles Relating to Our Work in General, 19, 20
.)
Each Paper Has a Distinctive Work—I wish it to be distinctly
understood ... that I have no faith in consolidating the work of publica-
[229]
tion, blending in one that which should remain separate. The blending
of the Signs and the American Sentinel [
Religious liberty paper pub-
lished by the Review and Herald.
] will not be in the order of God.