Book Making Must Be Simplified—Our book-making business must be simplified. Trust in God rather than go down to Egypt to consult idolaters.... Expensive books are not to be brought out so freely as they have been. There are books which are not worthy of the consideration given them.—Manuscript 131, 1899. (PM 215.1) MC VC

Illustrations Choice Rather Than Numerous—I would not altogether condemn the use of pictures, but let fewer be used, and only such as are good illustrations of the subject. Bear in mind that illustrations should be choice rather than numerous.—Letter 18, 1897. (PM 215.2) MC VC

Avoid Passion for Illustrations—I have been instructed that there would be a tendency on the part of some to strive for the supremacy in the matter of profusely illustrating books in which there was but little reading. One would strive to excel the other, and a wrong condition of things would be brought about. The passion for illustrations coming in was causing jealousy and envy, threatening the success of the book business as a whole. Everything of this order must be bound about. If it had continued, spirituality would have died out, and the future of our book work would have been blighted.... There must not be in the book business the least contention or strife for the supremacy.—Letter 75, 1900. (PM 215.3) MC VC

I have been shown that the abundant picture making for our periodicals and books is growing into an unsanctified ambition, and the dangers of rivalry are increasing to an alarming extent. The books we are sending out to the world are costing too much. Extravagance in illustrations costs time and money and creates worries which can and should be avoided. The Lord would have us keep the eye single to the glory of God. This infatuation for so abundant illustrations is not in God’s order; it is the pulse of the world, and this is beating strongly in God’s people at the present time.—Letter 147, 1899. (PM 215.4) MC VC