Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-12
First Anuual Report of the Exocuriyc Con

First Annuai Report of the Executive Com
mittee OF the Evangelical Book and Iruct
Association Of the Western Reserve.
In reading age and with reading people, no
fundamentally is more eieetiYe for good or evil
than that Of books and papers, 1t has long siuc0
heen established that an attractive evangelical
literature adapted TO the wants, aud brought with
in the reach OF the common people, and especially
of the young, ia most important means OF the
advancement of society In moral aud religion But
while we have admitted this truth in its general
application, and have been prompt and liberal 10
some degree in efforts in this direction for the
enlightenment and elevation ct distant portions Of
our country and the world we have been neglect
u Of the wants Of our own immediate neighbOr.
hood until the condition Of our city, and the TOO
manifest retrograde movement OF our Reserve once
so distinguished in its character for moral aud
religious intelligence, have forced themselves upon
org attepti0n, aud challenged our eiiOtt
Several attempts have been n,ade at different
times to secure we oalab ,amentin Cleveland Of a
pep0sWu .Who'' good assortment of evangelical
nooAS' Its and papers, might at all times be
procured at the low prices at which they are sold
N the Eastern cities, by the various Benevolent
4 Associations who publish them. These Efforts,
| however have for various reasons hitherto proved
unsuccessful or Of short continuance.
! On the 18th OF September in the last year, a
meeting was called to consider the eKpedency OF
| an enlarged more general and thorough effort TO
tended by those interested in ihe object fom Yar-
Gus parts of the Reserve. The importance aud
necessity OF such an enterprise at the present time
were strongly expressed, and the principles ana
modes Of action which should characterize H.
freely dscussedby clergymen aud Others otvarious
religious denominations, bOih M tue city ana NJ
the country; aud the Association which has now
convened for It's first anniversary, was organized
under constitution designed TO secure the mar
moniOus cooperation OF all evangelical christians
Il was an encouraging features In the outset tha
In addition to the direct influence which It wa
destined to exert Ia the specific object Tor which
il was established our enterprise presented AZ
additional bond Of union 10 all who love our com
mon Saviour, aud are willing TO labor on bToa'
I platform for the elevation OF our common hu
manity
The Executive Committee, 10 presenting n repOr
Of their dOings since the organization, have Occa
sion 10 regret that various causes have comDnC
10 delay the contributions Of the churches gencr
ally for this object II was thought advisable tina
the collections in the city churches be taken beiOr
sending an agency 10 the country, and with th
many benevolent objects already regularly pre-
seuted the pastoral have found Il difficult tayOrabl
10 Introduce new one, Most OF the contribution
I embraced IN the report Of the Treasurer hay
q | therefore been made within few weeks past an
several OF the churches designing 10 cOuperal
. have not yet taken their collections. In the al
sence Of these contributions however PrOydenC
has Mgullly favored our undertaking by Openin
% 10 us unexpected avenues Of usefulness Win
prudent estimate OF the probabilities OF our recep
!, the committee eOnld not feel warranted In unde
4 taking the expense Of distinct Depository,
= least during the first year, though they deem th
avery desirable measure 10 be adopted az early
- practicable Arrangements were therefore mao
with Messrs lngham a Bragg to receive II iu
h their book store In connection with tue Depoaitol
70 OF the Cleveland Bible Society These arrang
10 ments are deemed especially favorable as The
by secure che constant investment Of whatever tun
we NAV be able 20 raise in such books as We ma
order which are sOld at publishers prices, withO
expense or risk TO the Association.
. A fund Of $500, which was collected for sin
Il lar purpose some years dnce BY Rev, liubba
Lawrence but not been applied. has been iranse
ed 10 our Association with the condition that II
= kent permanently invested in the books Of u
Massachusettg sabbath School Society, by viii
49, 5000 OF tile amount had been donsted. The AmC
lean Tract Society at Boston has als1 made us
grant II $3.50, IN tracts aud paper covered boo
designed for grathtous distributions. And
have purchased from that Society volumes Of th.
- publication 10 the amount Of $3.50, at credit nj
IN the iirst of January next. So that we have no
on safe aud for distribution previous 70 any CO
trbuiiOns ly the churches, $500 worth Of well
= lected aud vauable books aud tracts La additi
"a 10 this Mesrs. lngham Bragg, by tue terms
ho our agreement, Keep O permanent stock amOul
f ing 90 81 goo, Ia connection With aud Of the sa
re character as our books, aud the demand for u
o class of books has 10 iar increased that they hu
en- found ID tn their advantage 20 keep much larg
stock especially OF sunday bchoollibraIiea.