The Youth´s Instructor

(1852–1970; weekly; RH ; file in RH , with exception of vol. 4, 1856; vol. 5, 1857; vol. 36, 1888; vol. 37, 1889; vol. 37, 1889, in Ellen White Estate, Inc.). A 24-page paper for readers aged 16 through 30. Beginning. The Youth’s Instructor was launched by James White as an eight-page monthly in August 1852. He had announced the forthcoming paper in this way: “We design publishing a small monthly paper, containing matter for the benefit of the youth. And we are satisfied that our brethren and sisters will agree with us, that something of the kind is very much needed. The children should have a paper of their own, one that will interest and instruct them. “We intend to give four or five lessons, in the form of questions and answers, in each number, one for each week for Sabbath-School lessons. . . . “We publish this paper on our own responsibility, and think it duty to set the price at twenty five cents for a volume of twelve numbers, to be paid in advance, or within three months from the date of the first number” ( Review and Herald 3:37, July 8, 1852). The fiftieth anniversary issue (50:250, Aug. 7, 1902) states that it was “founded August 9, 1852.” The first-page article in the first issue observed: “The young, at this day, are exposed to many evils and dangers, and they must have right instruction to enable them to know how to shun them.” The editor wrote on page 2: “We give four Sabbath Lessons in this number, one for each week, and hope the parents will establish Sabbath Schools, even where there are but two or three children in a place. And we expect the children will read them over many times, so as to be able to answer all the questions. . . . “We design that the Instructor shall be filled with sensible matter, not only for the benefit of small children, but for the instruction of the youth from sixteen to twenty years of age. “As we wished to state the condition of many of the youth, and the object of the Instructor, in this short address, we shall be excused for saying so much to the parents.” The first nine issues carried this sentence in the masthead: “Its object is, to teach the young the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and thereby help them to a correct understanding of the Holy Scriptures.” Since its founding, the magazine was published by what is now the Review and Herald Publishing Association. It was issued first at Rochester, New York, then at Battle Creek, Michigan. Volume 51, number 35, Sept. 1, 1903, began the Washington, D.C., address; and after volume 54, number 23, June 5, 1906, the magazine was issued at the Takoma Park plant. From 1852 through 1870, page size was approximately 7" x 10" (18 cm. x 26 cm.). After minor variations, it was enlarged to 101/2" x 151/2" (27 cm. x 40 cm.), but in 1908 it was standardized at 81/2" x 111/2" (22 cm. x 30 cm.). Three issues appeared in 1852, in August, October, and December. The 11 numbers comprising volume 1 concluded with a 16-page “ Nos. 11 & 12” in August 1853. The next issue did not appear until January 1854, beginning volume 2. The paper appeared as a monthly through 1869, as a semimonthly in 1870 and 1871, and returned to monthly status in 1872. The December 1878 issue announced that “to meet the wishes of very many of our readers, we have decided to print the Instructor once a week. . . . The monthly Instructor will be continued its present size, and at the old price, for those who prefer it.” A four-page weekly issue began Jan. 1, 1879. The eight-page monthly was discontinued with the December 1880 issue. The weekly was published continuously until April 1970, varying in size from 8 to 32 pages, the standard being 24. Contributors. Readers were encouraged to write for the paper from the outset. Issue number 1 solicited, “We also invite our young friends to write. Do not try to imitate any one; but write, in a simple style, your own views, experience and feelings.” Ellen White described the circumstances under which her editor-husband produced some of his copy: “From time to time we went out to attend Conferences in different parts of the field. My husband preached, sold books, and labored to extend the circulation of the paper [ Review and Herald]. We traveled by private conveyance, and stopped at noon to feed our horse by the roadside, and to eat our lunch. Then with paper and pencil, on the cover of our dinner box or the top of his hat, my husband wrote articles for the Review and Instructor ” ( 1T 91). During her lifetime Mrs. White appeared as a Youth’s Instructor author approximately 500 times. The August 1852 issue presented her article “Communications.” Apparently her last article written specifically for first publication in the Instructor was “Following On to Know the Lord,” June 9, 1914. James White explained in the January 1854 issue why some numbers had appeared without Sabbath school lessons, and doing so threw light on his efforts in launching the magazine: “When I commenced its publication, more than a year ago, I then intended to write a Sabbath-school Lesson for every Sabbath in the year. But this I could not do. I have traveled much the past year, and when at home, the Advent Review and the publication of books have occupied my time so that I have had to rob my sleeping hours to write for the Instructor” ( Youth’s Instructor 2:4, January 1854). The Youth’s Instructor Pen League was started in the fall of 1929 by editor Lora E. Clement. This was a writing contest conducted through the English classes of Seventh-day Adventist academies and colleges in the United States and Canada. Manuscripts produced as a part of the teaching program in writing were judged for their suitability for publication. Those receiving awards or recognition were published in the magazine. It was in continuous operation until publication ceased, with the Advanced Writers Division now functioning on several college campuses. A 50-installment serial began publication November 1858 and concluded in February 1863. It was by Joseph Bates, beginning under the title “Sailing.” Installments two through seven were titled “Incidents in My Past Life” or “Incidents of My Youth.” It then became “Incidents in My Past Life” for the remainder of the run. For several years many articles and stories from non-Seventh-day Adventist sources were reprinted. The April 1853 number mentioned that “in selecting from other books and papers we design to be careful, and give nothing but what will have a tendency to lead the youthful mind to virtue and to God.” Reprints were common until 1925, when they began to appear with diminishing frequency. Reprints dropped from more than 270 in 1914 to less than 30 in 1925. Letters to the editor appeared throughout the magazine’s history, being called “Communications” in volume 1, number 1. After Apr. 22, 1958 they appeared as part of the “Grace Notes” column, and excerpts both favorable and unfavorable were used. Editions. One H. E. Simkin, who, beginning about 1885, worked at the Review and Herald Publishing Association, in his fiftieth anniversary article Aug. 7, 1902 mentioned that “I remember arrangements being made for an ‘Australian edition.’ Each week after the regular run was finished, we set the date four weeks ahead, and inserted the words just quoted in the date-line. These were sent off early to catch the boats which carried them to Australia for the use of our first missionaries in what then seemed that far-off island continent in the southern hemisphere.” Circulation. A clue to anticipated circulation appears in issue number 1: “The Youth’s Instructor will cost about $20 for each No. of 1500 copies.” After two years of publication, the following appeared in the September 1854 editorial column: “In order that the Instructor be well sustained, we should have 1200 paying subscribers, or should be able to receipt $25 in each No. At present we send out about 900 copies, and our receipts are about one half what they should be.” Subscribers were receipted through back-page publication of their names and the amounts received weekly. The Review and Herald Publishing Association report of 1913 listed the circulation of the Instructor at 14,098. The August 1952 figure (one hundredth anniversary) was 50,301. Before reaching the journal’s fiftieth birthday, the editors had visions of a large circulation. A Jan. 6, 1898, editorial included this hope: “Yes, it is the aim of the Instructor publishers to push its circulation up, up, until it reaches a regular paid subscription of 100,000 copies.” Youth Activities. A June 13, 1901, editorial reported that as part of the program for “establishing the young people’s work on a firmer basis,” the General Conference held that year had recommended that it be made a branch of the Sabbath School Department of the General Conference. This department readjusted its organization to incorporate the new program, and recommended that the Youth’s Instructor open a department for “fostering and promoting the interests and growth of the young people’s work.” Such a department, titled “Young People’s Work,” made its initial appearance June 27, 1901. News of the service activities of youth continued to be handled by the magazine. Temperance Issues. During the period from May 14, 1907, through Mar. 17, 1931, several temperance issues were published. Though none appeared in some years, at least one each came out in 1917, 1919, 1921, and 1931. Articles and testimonials from prominent public officials as well as from church writers advised the readers of the evils of alcohol and tobacco. Counseling Service. The magazine provided “Answers to Correspondents” from Feb. 5 through Aug. 13, 1907. “Questions and Answers” appeared three times between Aug. 13, 1907, and Apr. 12, 1910. A “Counsel Corner” was conducted by the MV Department of the General Conference, appearing from Jan. 8, 1918, through July 30, 1946. From June 12, 1956, the Counsel Clinic feature provided a similar service for readers, with most of the answers going directly to questioners, and only questions and answers of wide application being placed in print. Advertising. Advertising began as early as April 1854. That issue carried on page 32 a line advertisement for a “Hymn Book for Youth and Children,” then in preparation: “Those who have hymns, original or select and would like to have them published in this collection, will please forward them very soon. The book will probably contain 84 or 100 pages—price 10 or 121/2 cents. Send your orders. James White.” The May 1854 number announced under “Hymns for Youth and Children”: “We have just published a neat little Hymn Book with the above title, compiled by Anna White. It contains 84 pages, and 117 Hymns—Price 10 cents a copy.” The Dec. 22, 1892, holiday number was published with pink covers. Two pages of advertising promoted a number of items. Display ads included those of the Central Michigan Carriage Co., picturing a buggy; the Eureka Hand Loom, with the picture of a loom; Advance Thresher Company, showing both a separator and a traction engine; and the Battle Creek Bakery Co., with a health food ad. A display ad for Garland Stoves and Ranges appeared Oct. 6, 1898 and was used a number of times thereafter. The Remington Standard Typewriter Company advertised five times in July and August 1899. The Chicago Writing Machine Company appeared four times in April of 1901. Four railway systems were advertised during 1898–1903. The Grand Trunk Railway System, running from Apr. 27, 1899, to Jan. 1, 1903, published a timetable for Battle Creek for part of this period. Editors. The longevity record for Instructor editors is held by Lora E. Clement. She first appeared as an associate editor Mar. 12, 1918. When the name of Fannie Dickerson Chase disappeared as editor on Sept. 12, 1922, Miss Clement’s continued as assistant editor. From Sept. 26, 1922, through Mar. 13, 1923, she was listed as acting editor. In the following issue, of Mar. 20, her name was in the editorial box as editor, a post that she held through the issue of Sept. 2, 1952. Her association with the magazine spanned 34 years, the last 30 as editor. The service period of some early editors is difficult to determine, as their names did not always appear in the editorial box. A fiftieth anniversary article by a former editor, G. W. Amadon, Aug. 7, 1902, provides a partial record of the first years in “A Sketch of the Editorship of the Youth’s Instructor.” James White, 1852–1853; Anna White, 1854; James White, 1855–1857; G. W. Amadon, 1858–1864; Adelia P. Patten (later Van Horn), 1864–1867; G. W. Amadon, 1867–1869; G. H. Bell, 1869–1871; Jennie R. Trembley, 1871–1873; Jennie A. Merriam, 1873–1875; Mrs. Minerva J. Chapman, 1875–1879; Mrs. Mary K. White and Miss V. A. Merriam, 1879–1880; V. A. Merriam, 1880–1881; Eva Bell (later Giles), 1882–1883; Editorial Committee of Eva Bell Giles, Adolph B. Oyen, Winnie E. Loughborough, 1883; Mr. Minerva J. Chapman, 1884–1889; Winnie E. Loughborough (later Kelsea), 1890–1891; “Editorial Contributors,” M. B. Duffie, P. T. Magan, J. O. Corliss, Fannie Bolton, 1891; no editor listed Dec. 30, 1891–Aug. 30, 1894 (however, in his last editorial [42:400, Dec. 20, 1894]N. W. Lawrence, calling himself “the present editor,” mentions laying down the responsibilities he has carried “during the three years just passed”); J. H. Durland and M. E. Kellogg, 1895–1896; J. H. Durland, 1897; W. H. McKee and J. C. Bartholf, 1897–1899; Adelaide Bee Cooper (later Evans), 1899–1904; Fannie M. Dickerson (later Chase), 1904–1922; Lora E. Clement, 1923–1952; Walter T. Crandall, 1952–1970.