Facing the Future

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     For more than twenty years we have regularly sent this little journal forth. We have never taken one cent of subscription money for our personal use. It has been a sacred trust to be used in sharing truth with others. We have never had enough to guarantee publication for more than a few months, yet never allowed an obligation to go unpaid. Somehow there was always enough when needed. Days of toil and long hours at night, have been invested by both Nell and myself to keep the paper coming to you. We have given this time freely and cheerfully.

     No religious paper without paid advertising can survive on subscriptions alone. It can only exist when others who believe in the principles for which it contends are willing to share the cost of production to help acquaint the world with those principles. When men lose interest in those principles, or deem them unworthy of support, the paper must cease unless the editor is independently wealthy. Again we are forced to call your attention to our need of assistance, if we are to continue. Here are the facts.

     The cost of materials and printing has tripled since we began. Those unacquainted with the printing trades are startled when they learn the truth about the inflationary spiral. The cost of mailing has risen greatly. It is due for additional increases. Many papers have been forced to quit; others have had to consolidate to continue. It costs five cents to enroll a new subscriber, the actual cost of an address stencil. It costs five cents to notify those whose subscriptions expire. When necessary to send a second printed card, it costs an additional five cents. That is a hundred dollars just to notify each thousand readers their time is up. When you move and do not notify us, the post office charges us five cents to do so. Each month Nell and I must raise $250 to get the paper to you. That is $3000 per year. It actually costs more than a dollar per year for each reader on our list.

     Some have advised to raise the price. We have not increased it in twenty years. If we do, some will no longer be able to take the paper. To old age pensioners, boys in school, and large families, a dollar is precious. They scrimp and save to subscribe. Those who tell us they would like to have the paper but cannot afford it, receive it without charge. But some will not tell us. After serious study and meditation we have decided not to raise the price. If there are not enough brethren

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interested in our plea to help sound out the message, we will conclude our work is unavailing, and suspend operation. That you may properly judge whether our course is worthy we will present a few ideas about our purpose, then suggest what you may do.

     This will not be a factional journal. It is not a "brotherhood paper" in the common usage of that term. It does not exist to plead for separation or segregation of disciples of our Lord on the basis of opinions relative to classes, individual cups, baptisteries, orphan homes, colleges, societies, pre-millennialism, or any other thing. Men may divide over these, but this journal will not become a factional mouthpiece for any party, segment, clique or faction. The editor has decided convictions on all these matters and will state them. A majority of writers may hold the same views, but the paper will not degenerate into a party organ. We will not denounce those who differ as pagans or heathen, nor refuse to regard them as children of God and brethren.

     We will continue to plead for restoration of the ancient order as the only hope of answering the prayer of Jesus for the unity of all believers. We will do this in a spirit of firmness and fairness. We will not force our views upon others as terms of fellowship. Those who disagree with us will be regarded as brethren. If they want space to set forth dissenting views it will be granted when available, and if we reply, it will be in love. It is our hope to edit a journal which you may freely pass on to your friends and relatives, but we will not deny brethren who differ, space to express themselves, in order to increase circulation. We would rather have the paper go down in a spirit of fairness and justice, than to thrive as a partisan journal.

     Shall we continue? We have on file material needed in these days of tension, strife and division. But Nell and I cannot do the work, get the subscribers, and finance the project too. We have no surplus funds. We shall go on as long as we can. When we can no longer go on, we will cease with clear consciences and a sense of having done our best. Here are some of the ways you might help.

     We will discontinue announcement of those who send subscriptions or financial aid. None of us are working for glory or honour bestowed by men. We are content to serve Him without thought of personal gain. God knows who our helpers are, and we know. It is enough that we are workers together with Him. This means that you will have to repose confidence in Nell and myself that we will be true to our trust. We pledge ourselves, in fear of the judgment, that we will not abuse that trust. We will not be factious or stubborn. We will not be divisive. We will use what you give to help further the cause of peace. Our sole interest is truth. Will you invest regularly in this campaign for spiritual peace and restoration, and trust heaven, as we do, to reward you with eternal dividends? Our prayers are for all of you!