Herbert W Armstrong

Incoming mail shows an excellent increase over 1984, which itself was an outstanding year. Through the first week of June, we received 2.6 million pieces of mail. This is a 30% increase over last year's count for the same period. It also represents an average of more than 17,000 pieces per day.

Nearly all categories of mail have increased substantially. We have had very good responses to offers for The GOOD NEWS magazine and PLAIN TRUTH renewals. The April READER'S DIGEST ad alone brought in over 100,000 responses.

Our letters and cards are picked up from the post office in trays, which are about 2 feet long (.75 meter) and hold 800 to 1,000 items. Recently, our daily tray counts have run as high as 20 to 30. On Monday mornings, the weekend's mail has ranged from 50 to 90 trays. Just two years ago, these counts averaged only about half of what they do now.

Semiannual Letter Draws Many Interesting Comments

Over 207,000 subscribers, or 9.1%, have responded to the semiannual letter thus far. Although this is an average response, we have been receiving a much higher than usual number of comments.

Many subscribers were enlightened by how clearly and logically Mr. Armstrong explained the overall plan and goals of Communism. Many said they had never been given such a complete picture before. A number lamented the fact that most Americans do not understand the threat posed by Communism today. Following are some of the comments we received:

Thank you for your letter of May 6, presenting so clearly and accurately the posture and purpose of Communism, and the ominous penetration of our southern neighbors. It is frustratingly true that most Americans seem unaware of the methodology of the Communist master plan. You have a wonderful talent for saying the pertinent facts so clearly and concisely — to so great an audience. I pray each one will have heard you.
J.M. (Cherry Valley, CA)

I've just returned from a five-week tour of Europe and can't understand why those people can't see the handwriting on the wall. While we [the U.S.] are trying to hold back Communism, the rest of the free countries are just standing by and even demonstrating against us. Russia sure has a lot of people in the world brainwashed.
B.B. (Sierra Vista, AZ)

I want to thank you for that fine letter dated May 6, on troubles in America, especially your thoughts on the Communist threat. I'm so glad you and your organization are wide awake on this!
C.M. (Syracuse, IN)

As I reread and analyze your May 6 letter to PLAIN TRUTH subscribers, I become more and more aware of the phenomenal insight you have into what is taking place in this world. Your analysis of the motivations and methods of Communists; your perception of what is, and will, happen in Central America and Korea; how all this will help bring about the prophesied United Europe; and your awareness of the fast-developing trade war.

All of these things come to us in bits and pieces through the world news media, but you and your staff put it all together so that we can see the whole picture. Not only do you give us the whole picture, you make it come alive and then tie it in to Bible prophecy in such a way that only those who do not want to see could possibly deny the "plain truth" of it all.
R.C. (Eugene, OR)

Your most recent letter gave us a real view of world trends and a possible future outcome. The outcome is not in doubt, and it certainly seems that current events are leading to the tribulation.

What seems strange to the human mind is how the Communists can stay so doggedly on track after so obviously worthless a goal. Their system brings misery and poverty to every country it controls. Yet they pursue this loser as though it were good. And in spite of its failures, more countries embrace it — or let it be imposed on them. Amazing! Thanks for keeping us informed.
A.C. (Portland, OR)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center