108 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEAR Book.
importance were felt of having a local paper to present our views:
- more prominently before the people. Accordingly, on June 4,
1874, the first number of the Signs of the Times was issued.
This event marked a new era in the cause of present truth in
California. Although started as a nominally private enterprise,
by Eld. James White, it was with much prayer and careful con-
sideration of the wants of the cause, and by the counsel and sup-
port of the leading brethren. In this instance, private enter-
prise meant simply an individual assuming, for the time being,
a financial responsibility which could not otherwise be met, and
with the design of turning it over to a responsible association as
soon as one could be formed and funds secured.
The earnest interest manifested by the brethren in the pub-
lishing work, and the importance they attached to it, were dem-
‘onstrated at the Conference session the following October,
when $19,414 were pledged to its support ; and the issue of the
Signs dated Nov. 12, 1874, was by the California Conference of
S. D. Adventists. }
On the first day of April, 1875, the « Paciiic Seventh-day
Adventist Publishing Association” wasincorporated with a cap-
ital stock of $28,000, and the following-named persons as direc-
tors for the first year : James Whito, J. N. Loughborough, John
I. Tay, Wesley Diggins, and Knud Brorsen. The issue of the
Signs of April 22, of that year, was under. the auspices of the
new Association. :
On the 29th of the same month, the stockholders formally
resolved to purchase property and erect buildings in which to
carry on the work of the Association, and thus establish it on a
firm basis. Accordingly, the lots now occupied by the publish-
ing house, corner of Central avenue and Castro street, Oakland,
Cal.,—40 feet facing Castro street, and 100 feet facing Central
avenue,—were purchased. The worl of building was soon aft.
erward begun, and in 1876 the office on Castro street was com-
pleted. This building is 26 ft. front by 66 ft. deep, having cen-
tral side wings projecting nine feet from themain frame. lt has
two stories, basement, and attic. A brick engine house in tho
rear was also erected the same year. The Signs, which before
this had been edited and printed in a hired office, moved into its
own new quarters about the 1st of September, 1876, and the
issue of the 16th of that month was printed on the new steam
press imported from the East by the Association. At the same
time there were added a job press, paper cutter, and standing
press, a supply of type and other necessary materials, costing in
all about $6,500. With this accession, the actual publishing of
books, pamphlets, tracts, etc., began in earnest, and the atten-
tion of the public was more particularly called to the general
work of our people.
But much is due to Eastern friends for the success of the pub-