The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-21
THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN


SOME months ago considerable excitement
was caused by the announcement that certain
irregularities" had been discovered in the
management of the great publishing establish
ment known as the Methodist Book Concern,
and it was plainly charged that certain profits
that ought to have been devoted to the
spread of religious information and instruc-
ton were diverted into the pockets of per-
sons connected with the management of the
Concern. A committee was appointed to
investigate the matter, and in due time ma
jority report was presented that had a good
deal of 'whitewash" color about it, and that,
without entering into an explanation of the
facts that every Methodist in the country had
a right to be informed upon, merely said
the affairs of the Concern had been properly
conducted, and that there we're no causes for
complaint. A minority of the committee,
however, took a very different view of the
subject, and plainly expressed their opinion
that there had been gross mismanagement,
and that by every consideration of decency
and justice full and thorough investigation
was demanded. The majority, however,
managed to get their report accepted
ties implicated in the alleged ''irregu-
larities," not content with this nomi-
nal exculpation, commenced to persecute
those who instigated the investigation. DR..
Lanahan, the junior agent of the Book Con-
Germ, who first exposed the aforesaid ''irregu-
larities has been the special object of attack
The ''ring" who have had the control of the
Concern, and who succeeded in having their
performances whitewashed, have now turned
upon DR.. Lanahan with the intention of
crushing him if possible; and at secret
meeting of the Book Committee, held on last
Tuesday, charges were preferred against that
gentleman on the ground that he has brought
scandal upon the Church by his exposures
DR.. Lsnahan is to be suspended from office
while awaiting trial, which is apparently all
that the 'sring" wants.
We are accustomed to condemn the
knavery and corruption that disgrace our
politics, but what can we expect from poll
tcians who do not profess to have con-
sciences when such things as these are done
by men who appear before the world as teach
ers and preachers of the gospel, and who are
the authorized representatives of one of the
largest and most influential religious bodies
in the country? All that these men say in
their pulpits and every word of moral and
religiousinstruotion that is put before the world
in their books are practically denied by their
actions Not only is every consideration of
decency and justice violated, but religion is
brought into contempt, and the moral infu-
snce of great and popular religious denomi-
nation is injured to an extent that words can
scarcely express. The Book Concern people
may oust DR.. Lanahan, but that gentleman
cannot be injured by any such absurd charge
as has been brought against him, and the at
tempt to persecute him for doing his obvious
duty can scarcely result otherwise than in
causing a complete exposure of all the trans
actions that the Book Concern ''ring" are
now endeavoring to cover up.