The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-12
lnf RrQuEsr.l
From the Spartanburg Express.
The Tract Society Agitation.


,srrely shown, that the proposed pubhca.
non 'ot anti slavery tracts and books by
Tile "Anierican tract Society,"" could no,
be carried out, without the most manifest
violation OF both the letter and spirit of
lis constitution, as interpreted and acted
upon by lis founders and early managers.
10 the utter ainazement, however, of a
vas: many straight. forward, honest men.
we are gravely told by the strenuous ad
Nocates OF this reform measure.
That IT publications OF that sort can
not DO issued by means of their persistent
ag'tation under the constitution rs il now
exists, add Sy the Society as it is now or.
gan:zsd, that the constitutions must be SO
changed, and the Society be so organized
the whole South being elected that
thelr ends can be accomplished TO the
vast frightening, also, of the marvellous
IN this case. we find among the advocates
OF this change many names, no, only of
thosc whose position and sacred Office
should be guarantee for tie inculcntion
ot the purest morals, and the strctest fl.
deity as regards public trusts, bu, we find
several Fa'y'oas prCsSeS-and among
them those that have recently been the
most severe upon the petversion of the
funds and influences of other similar So.
cieties, and the loudes, in their demands
that all benevolent and charitable orpani
zations be held TO the strictcst accoun,
But although advocated bv such an
array ot talent, and urged forward by in
hnences SO potent, it must, upon n mo.
mentS reflection, be manifest TO every un
h'assed mind, that those changes cannot
tie effected without the preparation OF n
Jr"aa OF the groSsest character upon the
christian pub!ic-lioing and dead and
striking destructive blow at the fouud,.
ton os public con;idcnce in all benero.
lent and chari,ahI. institutions.
IL will be borne in mind, tina, not only
does the constitution of that society. pre-
sent prominently to the whole world the
following distinguishing features as its
fundamental characteristics lst. Bible
truth, as held in common by the different
evangelical branches Of the christian
church, rs the basis Of its publications.
2nd. The most enlarged catholicitv, as
i"gards both the membership OF the so.
cie'y, aud the adaptation Of its pubica.
'ons 10 all classes of mcn--tke fullest
guarantee beng givct against tile intro
dnctIon OF any thing OF n sectarian char
acter Ord. The broade,t nationality as
respects the field OF its operations tile ii
lie "Amcrcan," in its widest comprehcn.
SION, being It's chosen aud appropriate
designation. Aud not only were these,
rs literal features, acknowledged tv its
ionnlers rs correct exhibit of its true
sp'rlt and ipteut-their whole line of nc
uon confirming their verbal testimony,
strongly and vsriously uttered but, in
"n Official document subsequently issued
10y the society, and circulated by its
Agen;s and colporteuis, through the whole
length and breadth Of our country, and
TO some extent in Europe; not only were
these features dis,inctively set forth as the
established characteristics Of the Society,
on which the public might permanently
rely; but III view Of the basis on which
1t was founded, and the ends il was in
tended TO accomplish, it was declared re
speeting said Society at is thus pro.
hibiteG from publications involving sub
Jecls OF controversy among evangelical
Christians. Nor can topics Of local or
sectional character be expected in the is.
sues OF NArioSAL, CATHOLIC INsrITu.
TON" See principles and Facts Of the
American Tract Society"
Now it was upon this bread and glor.
Gus baslS--a basis also which the public
were assured, no one could expect to be
otherwise than pcrmanent-:hat its
Agents and advocates urged its claims
and procured for it all that it has ever
had, and all that it now possesses of pub
lie confidence, commanding influence, vast
pccuEiary resources, "works" written ex-
pressly for its use and made over to the
American Tract Society" rs its property
high euiogies inuumerablc, bestowed
upon 1t by large hearted men, in all parts
of our country-the sale also OF "lIfe
membership" and "life di:ec,orships" to
vast numbers OF men who rank high up
on the isis Of ''the lights Of the gorld"
and i'tbe salt OF the earth :" those men
expecting TO leave, as monuments TO thsir
own honor, and as heir looms to their
children, the certificates Of their connec
tion, for life, with so noble an institution.
After this kline Of proclamation and effort,
Tor thirty years, on the part Of its Agents
and advocates, with a corresponding in.
slowing Of popular favor upon il, aud Of
public inuniiieence into its Golfers, until
that Society has grown up into gigantic
proportions---and al this because the pee
pie believed all tlat had been declared
respecting its character and its permanent
cy upon il. present basis-sficr all this, il
is unbIushing!y proposed, SO to outrage
the feelings aud sentiments Of = generous
and con6ding CHRISTIAN public, as radical
ly to change the whole character Of the
"American Tract Society" BY removing
from its Constitution the restriction against
publishing other than the pure Bible
aruth, as Gods people in all ages and
countries have understood and held il -
and thus preparing the way for convert.