THE BOOK FUND

A brother writes from Iowa: “Bro. Andrews: A short time since, you and Brn. Bell and Smith, put forth a call for testimony either for or against Eld. White’s financial course. As I suppose your call a bona fide one, I will mention one point which has caused considerable talk and raised some prejudice against him. I refer to his method of raising money on the Book Fund. As I understand it, some who had not subscribed at all, he put down for one hundred dollars, or less, in the report published, and others who had not pledged what he thought sufficient, he put down for larger sums, according to his own judgment. Some of our opponents have made quite a handle of this. They, of course, carry the idea of compulsion. I have never had any trial over this matter myself, but thought it would perhaps be well to notice it for the benefit of others.”DJWW 15.1

All who have the good of the cause at heart, will take their stand with the writer of the above, and say that they have no trial over this matter, but the predetermined caviler it will probably be impossible to satisfy on any ground. In this, as in other objections, the matter has first to be presented in a false and perverted light, before it can be made to bear even the semblance of a cause of complaint. They carry the idea of compulsion. Where did they get that idea? Against this idea of compulsion, Eld. W. carefully and explicitly guarded, from beginning to end, in this matter. He is extensively acquainted in all parts of the field. He understands the circumstances of individuals. Under these circumstances, he ventured to suggest to some individuals what he thought they ought to do on the Book Fund. And he did this in the following manner: Instead of writing them personally, which would have been a tedious and expensive operation, he simply inserted the figures opposite their names in the advance proofs of a proposed Book Fund Report, and sent a copy to each one whose figures he thought should be changed. In this report he was careful to explain his action in the matter, and to submit it wholly to their acceptance, amendment, or rejection, in the following paragraph:DJWW 15.2

“Again, I have taken the liberty to add the names of some who have not pledged, and to change some of the figures of the amounts pledged, with the supposition that when the importance and magnitude of this work are more fully understood, the liberal donors will fully approve of the changes. All the time necessary will be given such. If any should be dissatisfied, they will please inform me, and I will change back their figures.”DJWW 16.1

This last sentence we italicize for the especial attention of the reader. In this paragraph, Eld. W. explains his action, tells on what ground he takes it, and then he submits the matter wholly to those concerned, to accept or reject, as they may see fit. He allows each one to fix his own date of payment, and gives ample time for all to respond to his suggestions before the Report should finally go to press, and be made ready for general distribution. And now how stands the case? Who is wronged? Who is compelled? Who is even asked to do more than he thinks himself able to do? And what need be said more? Has not Eld. W. a right to make suggestions to his brethren? And when ample time is given them to respond, and they are requested to state if they cannot comply with the proposition, has any one the least ground to go away and complain of any imposition, unfairness, or compulsion, in the matter? We submit to the candid, without further attempt to answer an objection which evidently owes its origin to unfriendly feelings on the part of the originators.DJWW 16.2

Another matter has come to our notice, which we will attend to in this connection. A letter from H. E. Carver, of Marion, Iowa, says that some months since, R. Hicks, of Providence, R. I., sent him a letter implicating the honesty of Eld. White in financial matters. The charge is, that Mrs. E. Temple told him that she had given Eld. White one hundred dollars for the good of the cause, which she expected to see acknowledged in the Review; but as it never was acknowledged, she concluded that he had appropriated it to his own use. “This,” says Mr. C., “is a serious charge.”DJWW 17.1

But we fail to see any ground for this charge. The writer says that Mrs. T. “concluded” that he had appropriated the money to his own use. But he did not know that there was any just ground for the conclusion. The facts are these: Sr. Temple gave to Eld. White $97.00, to be used for the benefit of the cause, as he saw fit. This was placed to her credit on the books of the Office, as is the custom with money loaned to the Association, of which, however, she was not aware, and expressed surprise when she learned the fact from Eld. White in the year 1868. It was not her expectation that it should be considered as a loan. With her consent, $50.00 of it were placed to her credit on the Book Fund, and marked paid, as will be seen by referring to the Report, p. 8; p. 10, first edition. For the remaining $47.00, she received books which she desired for her own use and for circulation.DJWW 17.2

Certificate. — To authenticate the above facts, we, the undersigned, state that we have examined the books of the Publishing Association, and find Mrs. E. Temple credited “To money on deposit, $97.00,” under date of Nov. 15, 1864. Her account for books since that time amounts to $49.16. This, with the $50.00 applied on the Book Fund, overruns the deposit of $2.16.DJWW 18.1

J. H. WAGGONER,
J. N. ANDREWS,
U. SMITH.