The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-16

OS; DlllS receivable SlZ, 80 IL caSn III
the treasury 1924 66, making a sum TO
tai of $4O,214 25. But this is subject to q
deduction of 1884 81, the present amount
of our Indebtedness on account of merchan.
disc; and We have, as the result $36,S "A
as the sum total of the assets of the Com
mittee.
The assets of the Committee last year
were, S29,767 81. Since then the amount
of 1891 80 has been contributed by the
churches. Of this sum $5,039 SO were ex-
pended in making grants and in paying col
porteurs, and 500 in paying OF ders of the
General Assembly, leaving $2,251 81 as the
amount to be added to our capital; and
making the sum now to beaccounted for S32,,
019 4S. Taking this amount from our pre-
sent assets there is still left 81, 1880 26 as
the clear profit on our business for the year,
over and above all expenses of every kind.
This statement, however, is liable to mis-
lead, without some explanation. A large
portion Of our stock will always be in stere-
otype plates. These are estimated at their
cost value in this report. But they are lia-
bic to be worn out when much used; and,
then, sometimes stereotyped works become
obsolete To do successful business, there
fore, the prskMe publishing house must
be at least sN1seient to cover the cost of all
stereotype plates, cuts, etc., and to add
thereto their value to the main capital.
This exhibit, however, shows our business
to be in healthful condition.
/ IL
of menehandize are 1914 81; from which
take the cash in the treasury, now subject
to disbursement, viz: 1924 65, and there
is left the sum of S1,069 IS as the deficit
of cash at the present time One year ago
the deficit was $5,191 20.
This shows reduction in the amount of
our Indebtedness of the sum of $4,121 A.
The whole of our old debt, which caused us
embarrassment, has been paid. And it is
due to those to whcss we were indebted to
state, that they exercised much forbearance,
exhibited the fullest confidence in our SOL
yency, and in our disposition to discharge
what we owed them as promptly as was con-
sistent with the continuance of our busi-
ness; and hence they did not trouble us
with duns.
In this connection it is proper to state, on
the other hand, that the losses which We
have met with from the bankruptcy of our
customers have been inconsiderable. There
have been but two instances of loss in one
case the amount was ST in the other $40
81. The sum now due US is large compara-
tively: the most of it is from recent sales,
the payments of which will reach the treas
ury without much delay; part is from col
porteurs, for books in their hands, which will
be paid for as sold and still another part
is due by parties who made large purchases
Just before the heavy commercial crash of
eighteen months ago began, and to whom we
have felt constrained to exercise the same
forbearance which has been extended to us
by our creditors. We have no reason to
apprehend any serious loss in the settlement
of these accounts, though we are suffering
great inconvenience and interruption in our
work from the want of the funds now due us.
The Committee is endeavoring to conduct
the business entrusted to it, with as much
economy as is consistent with efficiency.
According to the recommendation of the
last Assembly, to aid the Secretary in his
work, a Business Agent has been added to
our official force To this responsible post
Mr.. ]. D. K. Seight has been appointed
Mr.. Sleight is Ruling Elder of our Church,
was formerly member of the Committee,
and is familiar with its work. He adds to
thorough business habits and experience, the
great advantage of complete knowledge
of the whole Sabbath School work, from
long acquaintance Herewith as a teacher
and superintendent His practical acquain-
tance with this subject is found to be a mat
ter of much Importance in his present position
At the same time the other expenses of
the Committee have been diminished, so as
to make the aggregate thereof less than
formerly. There has been q fall in rents !;
and now the Committee of Education has
attained to degree of success which ena-
bles it to pay proportionate share of the
salaries of the Secretary and Treasurer,
which heretofore have been borne wholly by
this committee. The only additional Office
expense to conduct our business, if it were
increased to twice its present amount, would
be an inconsiderable one in clerk hire. 1t
is not probable, however, that rents will re
main where they are But if the business
interests of Virginia resume their former
prosperity, that item of expense will neces-
salily be increased.
PUBLICATIONS.
During the year the following publications
have been issued from the press, viz:
Ecclesiastical Catechism. By Rev. Thomas
Smyth, D. D.
The Corporate life Of the Church. By Rev.
7. V. Moore, d. d.
Calls to the Saviour, embracing in one vol,
ume: "Come to Jesus, " "Call to Pray
err" "Quench not the Spirit, )" and "Only
One Way"
The Culdee Church. By Rev, I. '. Moore,
D. D. Illustrated.
Questions on the Gospels. By Rev. DIR. 3.
NJ. Smith.
ChOctalO Spelling Book.
Shorter Catechism in Choctaw,
The Constellation Of the Presbyterian Church
in the United States, consisting of The
Con ession of Faith, the Larger and Short
er Catechisms, The Form of Government
The Book of Discipline, and the Direc-
tory of Worship, as ratified by the Gene
raj Assembly, at Augusta, Georgia, Dec
4, 1861.
The Confession of Faith has been stereo
typed entire, to be bound with the Hymn
Book. 24mo. and 10mo., and an edition o.
it is nearly ready. This edition of the Con
fessiOn of Faith has been printed from these
plates and bound separately in the usua
styles. In it the proof references are Civ
en-, but not the proof texts.
12Mn. TRACTS.