THE first number of our beloved church paper, the Review and Herald, was published in the month of November, 1850. Elder James White and other pioneer associates of his had made efforts at publishing previous to this time with the periodicals known as Present Truth and The Sabbath Herald. These publications, though humble in appearance, we can now see were the beginning of great and significant things to our Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Review and Herald has contributed to the onward progress of the Advent Movement in a multitude of ways. We shall probably never be able, in this world, to realize the measure of the influence of this church paper, both on the membership of the Advent Movement and, in some degree, in non-Adventist circles, in its 110 years of publication.
The beginnings of the Review and Herald, like the majority of projects in the gospel cause, were accompanied by perplexity, difficulty, and lack of means. In 1850, James White said in a letter regarding Present Truth: " 'As for the poor little paper, it has so little sympathy and (I fear) so few prayers that I think it will die. ... I think I shall hang all up for the present.' " Again: " 'Brother Bates discouraged me about the paper and I gave it up forever.' "—Ellen G. White, Messenger to the Remnant, p. 49. It is clear that some of the others felt the same way, deeply discouraged at times. In carrying forward this publishing work, it was not merely the mental strain and perplexity that troubled the workers, but there were real physical hardships as well. In her writings Mrs. White tells about the strenuous program she and Elder White carried in order to keep the papers going. On some occasions it was necessary for them to correct the proof sheets by working far into the night, sometimes until two or three o'clock in the morning. Constant labor and anxiety without proper nourishing food and the frequent exposures to the cold on the long winter journeys were too much for Elder White, and he became ill. He was so weak that he could scarcely walk to the printing office to perform his duties. On one occasion it was necessary that he get work to earn money to publish the paper, and he took a job mowing hay.
It was out of sacrifices like these that the Review and Herald grew. The projects of the Christian church are usually born in affliction and sacrifice. Opposition and hard work are the crucible in which a genuine loyalty is assayed.
A factor of great importance in the beginnings of these early periodicals was that of prophetic guidance. When there was doubt as to whether work in this direction was to be continued, Mrs. White was given a vision, which was of lasting encouragement.
"I have a message for you," said Mrs. White to her husband after her vision. "You must begin to print a little paper and send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read, they will send you means with which to print, and it will be a success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear around the world."
Thus once again the messenger of the Lord, by inspiration, pointed with certainty to the road to be followed. This experience served to strengthen faith in this great gift. Truly, the Review and Herald has been "like streams of light" that have continued their mission around the world.
The Review and Herald has enjoyed from the first the blessing that is sure to come when an institution keeps ever in view the reasons for its being. As the idea of a continuing journal took hold on the thinking of the pioneers, they gradually came to some conclusions regarding their objectives. The editorial in the first number of the Review and Herald declares: "The Review and Herald is designed to be strictly confined to those important truths that belong to the present time. We hope to be able to send you this enlarged size of the paper quite often, containing a simple and clear exposition of those great and sanctifying truths embraced in the message of the third angel." The objective to publish "sanctifying truths" has continued to be the plan of the Review. This is a noble goal and has been abundantly blessed of God.
Through the years the Review and Herald has enlarged its objectives to fully embrace all of the varied activities connected with the building up of the church. As one reviews the contents of this paper from time to time, it is clear that one of its objectives is to promote a spirit of unity and fellowship among the members of the church and the ministry. The unity of the believers was the burden that the Lord Jesus Christ had on His heart during the last hours of His earthly ministry. He agonized and prayed that the believers of that early church would be one, even as He and the Father are one.
The Review and Herald has promoted Bible study from its inception. Every week it contains articles based on the Scriptures and their application to everyday living. There could hardly be an objective of greater value than the promotion of Bible study by church members.
This publication is also a promoter of foreign mission work and is one of the largest factors in bringing about and strengthening the interest that all our people should have for the evangelization of the world. From week to week it brings experiences from missionaries and workers of all classes in different parts of the world field. To our fireside is brought some of the atmosphere from faraway lands where many of our people are laboring to bring to those who know Him not a knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all mankind.
In the pages of the Review and Herald appear statistical reports from time to time —reports on new places entered with the gospel message, of movements such as the laymen's movement. It has become a medium of mass communication, and it makes a magnificent contribution to the Advent cause. It is highly appreciated by the rank and file of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Letters coming from readers are abundant evidence that it finds a very warm place in the hearts of all. A minister in Burma writes:
"The Review is a paper that I do not want to miss at all. No, not even one issue! Somehow there is something about it that appeals, although it isn't a glossy, four-color journal like some of our other periodicals. Perhaps its worldwide coverage is one reason that it has a soft spot in my heart. It makes me feel part of a great world family."
From California, a sister in the church sends this message:
"I just felt compelled to write some rather inadequate words of thanks to all who may be responsible for the subscription to the Review and Herald, for its encouragement and wonderful knowledge of light, love, and joy, and also of sacrifice. Actually, I am sure that if I had had the Review and read it weekly years ago I could not have slid away from church attendance, daily consecration, and faithful prayer."
From Jamaica comes this letter: "Whenever I take up a Review and Herald I love to read your editorials. You are doing a good work, your words strengthen us and establish us in the faith. When discouragement comes I read the Review, and my courage rises at once. When zeal seems to lag I read the mission stories, and zeal revives. As we face the great climax of the world's history, we need the Review to keep us informed, to strengthen and encourage us to be faithful unto the end."
The great and useful work the Review and Herald is accomplishing in our midst should move us all as leaders to support and strengthen its work even more than we have done in the past. I believe we can bring great blessing to our people in the churches if we encourage them to subscribe for this inspiring journal. Regular reading of the Review and Herald will prevent our dear brethren and sisters from becoming cold in their religious experience; it will prevent apostasies; it will give us all a feeling of togetherness, fellowship, and unity, which must be our aim and accomplishment before Jesus comes.
As we evaluate the contribution our church paper has made through the years to solidify, to extend, and to build up the Advent cause, we, as pastors of the flock and leaders of the church of God, will be convinced of the continuing responsibility we have to support and expand the influence of our general church paper.
