The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-07


listing their attention and laying before
them resume of the business of the
year, and thus making them acquainted
with the progress of the enterprise, that
we print this week the report found on
the fifth page. We embrace the OPP
portunity thus presented for a few
words in behalf of the Publishing
House, and more particularly of the
Western Branch.
1t will be seen that the aggregate
business receipts of the House for the
year ending March 81, 1885, are the
largest in its history. The total is ST.
097 so. OF this amount SIT s54 90 rep
resents the business of the Western
Branch, somewhat more than fourth
OF the entire amount. The fact is also
stated that the increase in the business
OF the Western Branch is $26S6 over
that of last year. This showing is pro-
nounced gratifying" by the directors
and it will be received by Western Uni
versallsts, interested in the prosperity
OF the Western Branch, as substantial
evidence that THE UNIvERsALIsT and
the Western business is in good shape
for the future. The foundations are
not only laid broad and deep, but the
business is making substantial progress
and is in the direct line of realizing the
hopes of those who were instrumental
in its establishment, not merely as a
money-making concern, but as an in
strumentality for the betterment of all
our Western interests and for placing
the publication interests of our church
on sure foundation for the years to
come.
Notwithstanding, however, the favor
able report of the years business, our
friends in the territory of the Western
Branch will notice that our directors
declare that " the enterprise is not yet
remunerative." 1t is meant by. this
that the Western Branch does not as
yet pay its way that it is still charge
upon the parent House. There is no
doubt that the property since it passed
into the ownership of the church has
largely increased in value = that the
plant of THE UNIvERsALIsT, by &C.
cessions to its subscription list and for
other reasons, is much more valuable
as property than it was when purchased
by the House. But this is something
which cannot be taken into account in
calculating the future. The Publish
ing House is operated in the nature of
a trust; it can buy newspapers as a part
of its plant, but it cannot sell them.
Hence any increase in the legitimate
value of the property in its hands, not
being marketable commodity, cannot
4 enter into the business calculation. The
only basis on which it can operate in
takiaas bcount of its aft airs is the outgo
and tie income. 1t is on this basis
thatthe Whstern Branch is declared
not 'remunefative. 1t costs the pa
rent House each year more than it has
thus far received. 1t is due to the
House to say that it has freely fur
nished the capital required to put the
enterprise on successful basis, and
has made large investments for the sake
of the church, believing that ultimately
the Western Branch would not only
pay its way, but earn money to be used
in the further development of our pub
LEGATION interests.
Now for the application of all this to
the readers of THE UNIvERsALIsr and
friends of the Western enterprise. There
are certain things necessary to carry
out the original plan of the Western
Branch, and to make the enterprise self
sustaining. It becomes the Universal
lists who read this paper every week to
consider these things. They are part
ners in an enterprise which is vital to
the prosperity of the church and which
cannot be neglected or ignored without
serious consequences. The point is to
bring up the income of the establish
ment to self sustaining average; to
make the income sufficient to meet the
expenses. We have not the shadow of
doubt that the Universalists of the
West will cheerfully cooperate in this
work and that the Western Branch will
be made succe 6 I'll and self-sustaining.
But how soon? The answer to this vital
question depends on the fidelity and
earnestness of the people themselves.
AS the General Agent points out, it
may be accomplished by Q) A further
increase of the circulation Of The UNI.
vERsALIsT; ~ The collection of the
large amounts due for subscriptions;
and ~ A larger sale of our books in
the territory covered by the circulation
of our papers.
May we not look for an increased at
tention to each of these points on the
part Of the Universalists of the-West?
Every person who adds name to the
! list of this paper, helps in the work.
Every person who ''pays up' helps.
Every purchaser Of the books of the
House becomes patron of the estab-
lishment and helps to realize the plans
of the founders. By their cheerful and
earnest cooperation in these several