Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-05-12
SOUTHERN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

| SOUTHERN METHODIST CONFERENCE.
In the Methodist General Conference of the South
held at Columbus, Georgia-Bshop Souc in the Cham
the following discussion took place upon res"u,
ton of Mr. Ralso that it is expedient for the Gene
raj Conference to establish Book Concern proper
embracing publishing house:
Mr. Rulston remarked, that he did not intend ma
king sct speech, but wished to offer statements
in reference TO the principles involved. The question
is us to the prOprieiy of erecting publishing house
proper or Il continuance of the agency. He took the
Affirmative referred TO the General Conference at Pc
tcrsburg-thc common conviction of the members
the univ, Isai desire and expectation of the people
The argument against Book Concern proper wls
the want of funds this argument cxitss longer
and now the opponents Of the nc,s're must tnkc
other gr,nnd-what, he knew not. llc affirmed thai
to publish hud been the policy OF The church from the
lmeimlny-had succeeded admirably. He referred
To the Bible Society and American Tract Society ls
examples tu sustain his views. The Importance Ol
circulating religious knowledge WIS obvious. All arc
agreed upon this. The real question is, what plan
will best promote the diffusion of books, and not
much the comparative cost OF books: the nultpllca
iion and circulation Of them, was the main question"
The, purchase of the books in certain plncIs might
awaken prriudrcs which would restrict the circrla
linn The natural order is irt to procure books then
circulate. To procure hooks they must first be print
ed to print must do it ourselves "r get others Ia
do il Tor s. The friends of having the work don,
must prove thar it is cheaper to buy than to make "l
that to purchase is better than to publish tn he So"h
How can they prove thisl They must assume the i'm
bcciy Of the ministers anti members Of the Southern
people at large. Will this be affirmed! Or will they
say the circumstances are unfuvorabc, our climate
bud soil poor! The Speaker enlarged very inn'bly
ON the positive advantages of this cass possessed 10y
the South; and cxpntlnted on the great PROSPECTS "t
the future lying before the Southern cullirr.
DIR. Early then took the floor, saying thn: he had
no appeals to make TO public prjudiccs lie mcnnt
tn present facts and figures. He was with MIR. Raj
ston in principle but not in prcjudiccs He Ind ia
ken this beet closely under review, and was pre-
pared Ia speak and act adviscllv. With him cc"no-
my first, and he felt i; his duty to give such facts
as he possessed, whatever might bc the result. The
question w,s--'was it most discreet and proper toes
tabsh publishing housc?" He had sought for i'll
maintained that few publishers were printers, and
many of the most extensive publishers lud no print
ing establishments. Such the with the
American Tract Society, the American Sunday School
Society and others. lie stated lhat There was dis
tnction between printing, and publishing: we might
publish without printing and gave INSTANCES "t this
Seventy or eighty thousand dollars must he ncccssn-
rily used in buildings and tixtures-tile interest ami
insurance OH which would be heavy, and proper
tionately subtract from the active capital. lie rc.
marked that the New York Book Concern with aii
it's advantages had yielded not more than per cent
per annum.
considered. He held that it must he in Il maniiac-
the work in any other sort of place. Az Virgnian,
he had the right to use his own means to build up
manufactures in any city he pleased but did not
claim the same right to use tho funds of the church.
He regretted that local preiudces should have been
appealed to, aud begged they should have no place
i'll the discussion Manufacturing was coming South;
and the prospects were increasing. lie maintained
that trade will seek its level and the law OF COM
merce must rule i'll this well us in other cases. By
reference to various instances Dr. +. showed that by
division Of labor printing could be hired at prices
lower than We ca do such work: spoke of the dl,
cues and expense Of importing raw materials to and
products from divers points named with view OF
showing that great commercial city possessed ad,
vantages for transportation which none other could