Smyrna times., 1860-09-13
Written for the Smyrna Times
Philadelphia Correspondence.

l.
! Philadelphia Correspondence.
coRREcToR" coRREcTED-PosrrIos or THE
i TRACT DEPosIroaY-sEcREr OF the OPERA
TIoN.
Dear Times I'm my last took occasion
: to alude to the state of Me.hodism in PhiIa-
dslphia. sought to show that il was coming |
far short of the position TO which il is entitled.
ln proof Of this wrote as follows: "Metho- |
dism has but little to boast of. Aside from her
churches she has not, believe. public edi-
fee of any kind in the city. There are private
enterprises conducted by Methodis.s--two, |
believe, in Fourth ST., and one in Chestnut ST.,
but the little Tract Depository in South st. is
the only Book Store we, as Church, can call
our own" Deplorasle as this state of affairs
is, it is more than subslantisted by the commu-
nica,ion of Nv. H. B." Ia correcting the
above statement be says: sa Az
" Let me say that this establishment is, IN
fact an effect, just as much private one as
the Others referred 10 by your sOld Friend"
Then my first statement is correct--"Meiho
D dism, in Philadelphia, has little to boastof"
. All ground of glorying is removed. Instead
/, of having one Book Store "we may call our
own" we have none whatever; they are all
: and equally private enterprises. This, al least,
contributes amiziugly to the demonstration of
g my FRS, proposition.
But | am reminded, at this juncture, of GER
7 tain Rsmish priest who. on bis weekly visits to
] a village near which he resided, was accastom-
b ed to become TOO much under the influence of
!. "eyil spirits" On one OF these occasions. be-
u coming exceedingly intoxicated, he prepared
e to return home. With repeated and desperate
. efforts he sought to regain bis sadde--but in
i vain. All bis attemps were fruitless---every
q expedient failed him. AT last. weary and ex-
9 hausted 10 strength and in patience, our priest
a was drawn to the last resort, and began loudly
,. and Justify to vociferase the name Of the HouIy
e Vargi n- Now, once more addressing himself
W to his vexatious task, he made one long and
n desperate leap, but alas fell headlong and
rs PROSTATE upon the opposite side. 20, Mary"
70 said the unfortunate priest, /" and ye can't be
e. good, but ye be too good" Ofwhomsoever "W.
to II. B." haa become the patron saint. il must
ID appear that in being good he has been too good
se SO far 40 Methodista in Philadelphia is con-
s. eerned we may venture to submit that il has
10 somewhat more whereof TO boast than he is dis
ar posed to allow. We will review bis correc-
70 iioa, aud see 10 how far il may be corrected
rh He afhrms that this establishment (lhe Tract
pit Depository in fact and effect is jHsf as much
"a. private one as the others referred TO by your
20 sOld Friend.'" Obserye--just as much as the
at private establishments in Fourth st., and the
- one 10 CAesnut ct. Let us examine this deca.
We ration. In what sense are these latter private
RI establishments We answer, fret: Thss they
ne originated entirely at the instance of private
- Individuals, 10 the manner precisely in which
nd any wholesale or retail house in Market st. orr
20, ginsied. Second. That they are consrole,
nj BY private individuals. The character and va
IT. riety of the stock the purchasing fthe stock
tie she management Of the business the rig he o
lite possession Of The property involved, resides i
al private individuals, acting on their owarespon
lis sbiIty as such. Third That rot only th
capital stock itself. but, by consequences, all III
profits and revenues flow into the I'urses Of pr
vste individuals, 20 be used by them in thei
40 own private capacity. To these selfepiden
ert truths lei US seek 10 adjust The statement
vn, a w. H. B." !" 10 fact and effect" be says
~ " "she Depository is just as much p private es
Establishment as these" sesn
Ind First, as 10 its origin--how did Ii originate
les We answer, by Board Of Managers. original
sao ly appointed BY the Philadelphia Annual Cor
!. ference. acting in their official capl'ci,y, and
.us The legitimate exercise Of their official pr
'cl- rogatives. This Board OF Managers, as create
yea by the Conference. was 70 be sefconirolin
900 and self perpeteadng. That such Oficisl pow
er did inhsre In them. and hence that the
rec action was valid, the prejudced only can dosb
ook Second, a. to the msnag ement OK the Depo
IA isory-by whom il lis business conducted J.
ion We answer, by the same Board Dc Manage
Of the PhilsdsIphis Conference Tract Socie,
lem who. 10 their Official, not private, relation e
anime, select. cursaiI or increase the stool
The appoint and pay the sgeat aud disburss Il
ORR fnnds. Deprived OF their o6icisl exisssne
in these men have more control OVER the es,a
wv lishment than the most obscure lldisidual
the land. The SUM Of all their authority
simply a. Board of Managers Of the Phi
DIRK Conference Tract Society.
aug As to the right of property Hare 10 d Il
I IN and vital questoa. Who os0rs this Deposit
and ryi In whom is vested The right OF proper
i'm in IN II void be easy 10 answer shis qu,
ia ton With reference 10 those osher esssbIis
IA "a ments. But we ask, can this Boal'd Of Mar
d Of gers claim the right u property ss individu
fac. 10 single farihing Of capital stock in the
eho. posisoryl Can they apprapsiate The small
!" :. eostou ct lie revenues 70 their own Prip
n usesi 70 tbs purchasing OF homes. or food,
ssion rsimsns for thsmseves or families Car IL
fsop devote one single 1.-THE Of al its profits to
" :! pr;pais parposs whsasvera We opins /,