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From: "Wayne Webb" <>
Subject: [BRE] An Appeal to My Fellow List Members
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:50:32 -0500


I find myself, much as did J. M. Synder in 1888, turning to the membership
of the Brethren Mailing List for assistance. I will relate Bro. Snyder’s
request first then lay forth my request.



“An Appeal to the Brotherhood.

“THE following article we copy from the Brüderbote by special request:

"Seven years ago I commenced the publishing of the Brüderbote. At the close
of the first year I plainly saw that the income would not warrant the
expense of the publishing. I hoped, however, that later years would replace
the loss of the earlier period. I, therefore, continued my enterprise. The
circulation of the paper is, of course, larger than it was at the start, but
even at this day, not sufficient to cover all expenses. The Brüderbote must
even now be partly sustained from the proceeds of a weekly local paper, also
published by me,—without which the Brüderbote would have to be discontinued.
It is evident, no doubt, to all, that for the sake of the money I do not
continue in the publishing of the paper, though I confidently hope that soon
my list will have grown so far as to cover expenses.

"I know, however, that by the Brüderbote many were encouraged on their
pilgrim journey,—such as could not understand the English, and had no other
devotional literature at their command. Especially from some of our old
sisters have I received many precious articles, to which circumstance,
rather than any pecuniary gain,—which it never yielded,—the Brüderbote owes
its existence to-day. But as comforting as it may be, to be appreciated in
our work, compositors, pressmen, and paper-dealers, do not take pay in that
way. They prefer hard cash.

"My total loss in the publishing of the paper amounts to about $2,000.
Several brethren have advised me to offer an opportunity to all to help me
boar my burden; none would miss the small amount. I admit that I have no
right to claim reimbursement from anyone, but if all consider the time and
money lost in the publication of the Brüderbote as so much given to the
Master, they will surely bear with me if I follow the advice of my brethren,
and give all an opportunity to help me. If this appeal is read by a
thousand brethren and sisters, and each one would give one dollar, the half
of my loss would be met; the other I would gladly lose.

"All contributions for this purpose should be sent to George A, Moore,
Eldora, Hardin Co., Iowa; or to Paul Wetzel, Grundy Center, Iowa, who will
acknowledge receipt through the MESSENGER. Brethren Wetzel and Moore, of
this congregation, who are acquainted with my circumstances, have subscribed
fifty dollars each, and a sister in Missouri, one dollar.—J. M. Snyder."



I have, over the years spent working on various Brethren related archival
projects, used my own money and supplies to further those efforts. I now
find myself in the difficult position of needing to request assistance from
you, my fellow list members. At present I am working on the digital
archiving of the 1888 Gospel Messenger. The particular set on which I am
working is folded in half horizontally and has been for many years. This
means that when each issue is unfolded it falls into sixteen separate
pieces. To digitize the issue I am forced to make repairs which entails the
usage of archival mending tape. To date I have gone through some
twenty-seven rolls of this mending tissue. I cannot at this time afford to
purchase any. So I am turning to you.



If I could get three or four people to purchase one or two rolls each and
have them shipped to me it would be extremely helpful. While there are
other supplies that I need this is one that is most paramount at this time.
A simple search of the Internet using the phrases “Lineco” and “mending
tissue” will show various places where it can be purchased.



Even then when completed I have to come up with the funds to get this set,
and others, shipped back to Elgin, Illinois. The Brethren Historical
Library & Archives, or for that matter any other “official” repository, does
not fund these endeavors. Each time I ship a volume back to wherever it was
borrowed from it costs somewhere around $30.00. While I could ship it in
the same container I refuse to tape these items between two sheets of
cardboard as they are when they arrive at my door. Instead I purchase
strong boxes and packing materials and then carefully wrap the issues in
aid-free paper before shipping. And of course there is the cost of UPS
shipping. When asked I was told by the powers that be, that since I wanted
to do the work, at no cost, it was up to me to defray these costs. But of
course they do want the DVD with the PDF files on them.



Respectfully Submitted,

Wayne Webb


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