Editorial Paragraphs.
The present financial condition of our Society demands a plain statement from us, and the kind consideration of our friends.
Although we begun our publishing enterprise without capital we have been enabled to conduct it with such success that we could have readily made it meet
all of the expenses of the Society, but for several mistakes which we have made based upon a too sanguine hope of increased circulation.
1. We gave each month a larger number of pages than our subscription price ($3) per annum would justify, and, in order to be able to supply
back numbers, we have been publishing each month a much larger number of copies than our subscription list demands.
2. For nearly all of last year we went to heavy expense in stereotyping each number.
3. We went to other expenses in the confident hope that our increasing circulation would enable us to meet them without difficulty, which would have been the case but for the failure of a large number of our subscribers (over 1,000 since the first of January last) to send us their renewal fees.
These causes are now giving us serious trouble, but we can and will work through them with a little help on the part of our friends.
We have reduced our expenses to a basis upon which we can easily meet every demand upon us if we can maintain
even our present circulation. But we are exceedingly anxious to relieve ourselves of a debt which we have been obliged to contract, and to be in condition to extend the sphere of our usefulness.
We, therefore, earnestly appeal to our friends to help us in several ways:
1. Let all who have not renewed their subscriptions
promptly do so. And it would be a great favor if even those whose subscriptions are not yet due would make us a remittance in anticipation.
2. Let our friends help to extend our circulation, and dispose of our three bound volumes of
Back Numbers.
3. Those of our
Annual Members who have promised to become life Members would very materially help us by acting in the matter Now.
4. Look at the inducements we offer, and send us
advertisements for our advertising sheet.
5. Secure us suitable Agents.
We have assurances from every quarter that the work in which we are engaged is of the very highest value and importance, and we shall be greatly disappointed if our friends do not show their appreciation of it by
practical and prompt help.
