| The Life of Dr. J.R. Miller |
Chapter 7 |
Page 6 |
Editors and publishers of other Sunday school periodicals generally agreed that each new periodical of the Westminster series set a new standard, which they were glad to keep before them as they made their plans. Both in editorial excellence and mechanical appearance the periodicals and magazines have always been models.
The secret of this continued success was that Dr. Miller was never satisfied. He was glad to hear from readers who complimented him on producing what – as they enthusiastically said – “could not be made better.” But it was always his desire to make ever publication of a New Year superior to that issued during the old year. “Now what can we do to make the publication better next year?” was a question that became familiar to members of the editorial staff. Then he helped them plan the improvement – helped them so skillfully that they thought they had done the planning. He let them think so, for it meant more to him that the work was done than that the praise should be given to him. He was always glad to pass on the praise to others.
He was a master in developing and inspiring assistants who could help him with the varied work of the office. His staff was so well organized that it continued to do efficient work if he was away from the office for a few days or a few weeks. Yet he always knew all about every periodical. All correspondence came to his desk, and was answered by him; all arrangements with writers were made by him; for years he read the manuscripts submitted; all proof came to him, and was carefully scanned, sometimes read word by word. In short, every slightest detail of office management was understood by him. Even the coming of associates chosen by the Board for his relief was not the signal for losing touch with any part of the work. He had the rare ability to know all that was going on while giving associates full opportunity for development.
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