Believing in Each Other
In 1910 DeWitt Wallace developed a new idea for a magazine. It would
consist of a collection of condensed articles. He put together a proposed
sample and sent it to publishers throughout the country. Nobody seemed
interested. DeWitt was terribly discouraged.
About the same time he met Lila Bell Acheson, the daughter of a
Presbyterian minister. Before long the two fell in love. Lila believed in
DeWitt's dream. She wouldn't let him give up and encouraged him to keep
trying his wonderful idea for a magazine. Boosted by her faith in him,
DeWitt started mailing circular letters to potential subscribers.
In October, 1921 Lila married DeWitt. On returning from their honeymoon,
they found a bundle of letters from interested subscribers. Together they
worked on Volume 1, Number 1, which appeared in February, 1922. DeWitt
Wallace included Lila Bell Acheson as his co-founder, co-editor, and
co-owner. Over the years their little magazine grew. Now printed in at
least eighteen languages, "Reader's Digest" is the best selling magazine
in the entire world.
DeWitt and Lila were more than husband and wife, they were true friends.
They encouraged, supported, and believed in each other. They worked side
by side to make their dream come true, and in the process they respected
each other. DeWitt once said, "I think Lila made the 'Digest' possible."
I can imagine that Lila would probably say the same about DeWitt.
Yes, love believes all things. It sticks up for seemingly impossible
dreams, cheering as those dreams struggle forward and applauding when
they finally come true.
Steve Stephens