We call attention to the article, commencing on page 99, headed, The Tract Societies. We wish to particularly notice the point in the article treated on page 100, relative to the brethren and sisters taking stock in the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association located at Battle Creek, Michigan. May the article be read with care, and may all those who have taken but little or no stock in the Association, who are able to do so, come nobly and liberally up to the work, and thus relieve the Review Office from its present embarrassment. The facts in the case are here given:— T30 191.2
1. The value of all the property of the Association, including real estate, personal, and the value of its lists of subscribers and copyrights of books, is not less than $180,000. T30 191.3
2. The Association owes not less than $65,000. T30 191.4
3. This leaves, after debts are paid, $115,000. T30 191.5
4. The entire sum given in stock and donations is $35,000. T30 191.6
5. This showing proves the faithfulness and sacrifices of those who have toiled at the Review Office for limited pay. For each dollar taken in 6tock, or donated to the Association, we can show two dollars earned. T30 192.1
The publishing houses of other young and small denominations are never self-sustaining, and large sums are raised annually by their patrons and friends, to make up the deficiency. But this Office, notwithstanding it has borne burdens for all our other institutions, and has been a succorer of the Health Institute, the College, the Pacific Press, and the Tract Society, can now show three dollars for one raised by its patrons and friends. T30 192.2
But it is a shame that our oldest publishing house should pay interest on $65,000. This interest money, amounting to about $4,000 annually, is needed to do justice to the faithful men and women who toil early and late, by being properly divided among them in raising their wages to living rates. T30 192.3
We appeal to those of our brethren who have taken but little or no stock in the Association to now come forward to our help. You are a large class compared with the devoted and self-sacrificing few who took stock liberally at an early date in our history, before calls were made for other institutions. Not one-fifth of our brethren and sisters, who are able to take shares at $10.00 each, all the way from one to twenty, have taken as much as one share. There are no reasons why stock to the amount of $75,000 should not be taken during the year 1881. T30 192.4
Read carefully and prayerfully pages 99-124, and in the fear of God act a liberal part for the benefit of our publishing houses, which ace the right arm of our strength. T30 192.5
J. W.