FOREIGN LITERATURE AND THE BEST AGENCIES FOR ITS PUBLICATION AND SALE

(Paragraphs from papers by L. R. Conradi.)

While one hundred and twenty millions of the earth’s inhabitants understand the English, yet over fourteen hundred and fifty millions more are to be supplied by what we term from the English standpoint, “foreign literature.” To every twelve who read foreign literature, one reads English, yet our table in the BULLETIN shows that it takes all the “foreign literature” in thirty-nine languages combined to equal our English literature in one volume. While one hundred and twenty millions may be reached with one language, the rest of the world has hundreds of languages. Thus far we have publications in forty languages; but in quite a number of these, the publications are simply a few little tracts.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.4

The following comparison will best illustrate the true condition: In seven languages, comprising three hundred million souls, we have over one thousand pages of literature. In twenty-four, comprising one hundred and seventy-two millions, we have from one to five hundred pages. In nine languages, comprising five hundred and eighty millions, we have less than one hundred pages.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.5

Hundreds of languages and dialects, comprising five hundred and ten millions, still wait to be supplied,—thirty-three per cent.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.6

Thus, nineteen per cent of the world’s population is tolerably supplied; eleven per cent scarce; thirty-seven per cent hardly at all; and thirty-three per cent not at all. Our periodicals appearing in eight languages reach but three hundred and two millions, or nineteen per cent.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.7

Great as the foregoing difference is, it does not express the real facts. We have only compared page to page, without reference to its manifolding. Yet one page of English reading-matter is being manifolded in scores of large editions, and circulated, while the page in a foreign tongue, on account of lack of means, appears only in a small edition.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.8

While we as a people and our houses are undoubtedly the best agencies to publish our literature, yet it is a question whether we are always the best agencies to print it. Our experience in this line has varied according to a number of circumstances. While the Hamburg house publishes in fourteen languages, it prints in less than half of them. We have our printing done in Russia, Bohemia, Bulgaria, at Leipsic, Memel, etc., and this will naturally increase as the work gains more foothold in the different countries. When we once build up churches in these various countries, secure able ministers who know not only the truth, but also the respective languages, the next thing is to have their printing done in the land where they are.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.9

While we print at Hamburg, we often find it better to have the printing done in the respective countries. In some countries we are really forced to have it done there to a certain extent. Thus, for example, we print now in Russia in three tongues, the Russian, Esthonian, and Littonian,—on account of the censorship.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.10

Books gotten out in Russia with the censor’s seal can be more freely handled. It took, however, a long time and much study before we got on the inside track. After trying various ways we finally made the acquaintance of a Baptist publisher and prominent minister, who took sufficient interest in our literature to offer us the help of his long experience to get out literature, well translated, also to pass it by the censor. Through him we secured the same favorable rates by the printer and binder as he enjoyed, and he aided us in the sale of our publications. Our main stock we store with the binder, and he furnishes the publisher and us with lots of from five hundred to one thousand, according to our orders. The publisher, to aid in the circulation, put a large advertisement of our books in his almanac, which goes to from fifteen to twenty thousand families.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.11

It is quite customary in Germany for even very large publishers not to do their own printing or binding. Leipsic is the great center for printing on the Continent; and as one firm makes a specialty of printing, another of binding, another of stereotyping, they can work cheaply, rapidly, and also keep their houses up-to-date with the best machinery. Everything is carried forward on a large scale, and with old, tried hands. Thus they can easily compete, and book firms even from Holland, Austria-Hungary, and the Balkan States, have their work done at Leipsic. This led us to adopt the same plan, and to print and bind all our books there. So doing, our capital remains free to invest in stock direct, much storeroom is saved, and our publishing work is easier managed. Our binder at Leipsic stores all our sheets free of charge, and binds them at short notice in lots as we may need them, while our printer stores the plates. Our periodicals, tracts, and pamphlets we print, however, at own office. This plan has worked best in Europe in all our experience thus far. We get along with a small plant, we secure better work, do not tie up so much talent, and we get our work done at short notice.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.12

What aids us greatly in the German field to do the work from one center, is the express service. We can ship ten pounds of literature by express to any part of the German and also the Austro-Hungarian empire for twelve and one-half cents, making it really cheaper than freight. For the same amount we mail to within a few minutes’ walk from our Basel house. To Switzerland, Holland, etc., we pay twenty cents.GCB April 2, 1901, page 14.13

In some countries, however, we have to print right there all publications in the native tongue; otherwise we have difficulty in securing the necessary permit to sell them.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.1

As far as we have tried, no agency works so well as persevering canvassers, filled with the spirit of their Master, and sensing the blessedness of their task. Realizing this, our house has endeavored to care for the training of canvassers, and to aid them in hard fields. We have many obstacles to meet, which are unknown here and elsewhere. High government licenses must be secured, rating from five to fifty dollars a year, and much time must often be spent to secure them. The house supplies these where the worker proves faithful and aids the canvasser to visit the annual meetings and to attend its institutes. We also allow all who are recommended, a certain credit to get a start. While the canvassing work is on a self-supporting basis in Germany proper, we are obliged to aid our canvassers in Russia, Holland, Hungary, etc. Other publishers who get out our publications for us have done something in the way of disposing of them, and we are making efforts to sell more through the book stores direct, but thus far our success has been limited.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.2

Our work on the Continent is but fairly begun; each country has its peculiar difficulties, and needs to be studied and tried separately. There is Austria, for example, where, in spite of all endeavors, we have not been able to secure the necessary permission to push the work.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.3

Our agency for selling I must mention in this connection,—one which is very far behind its privileges. While in many countries in the Old World it often takes years ere we secure the right to print and sell, there is perfect liberty in America. Millions of all these different nationalities have flocked to these shores, and still they come. Oh, what might not be done in supplying them from the very hour of their arrival, or in their respective settlements, be it in cities or in the country! What vast good might be done to them, and, through their instrumentality, to their friends in the Old World.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.4

Our houses at Hamburg and Basel have printed the truth in twenty languages. Thus far the only language which pays, financially, is the German. In the other tongues the production of publications is generally more costly, and yet the people are less able to pay for them, and harder to be reached. It is entirely a missionary work, and our publishing houses there are really missionary enterprises. Our Hamburg house has used its annual gains, not to increase means nor to enlarge, but to help freely, and thereby enlarge our facilities to sell. Certain sums have been every year set aside to get out new publications, to secure the motor boat in the Hamburg Harbor, to help our industrial schools, etc.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.5

We have not lost by helping others. On the contrary, God has constantly blessed us, and thus enabled us to do more from year to year. But should not all take stock in this enterprise, and could not means be placed at our disposal to push this work as never before? Calls come from Russia, Palestine, Austria, for literature in the Croatian, Slavonian, Albanian, and other languages. The few publications in other languages should be multiplied.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.6

May we at this council realize fully our responsibility to supply the precious truth to all nations and tongues, and improve our present blessed opportunities all around us. While we are enriched with the treasures out of God’s storehouse, let us remember our neighbors far and near, who, even from the crumbs of our tables, would secure a rich feast for their soul, yea, life eternal.GCB April 2, 1901, page 15.7