New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-20
METHODIST UNCERTAINTY.
THE BOOK COMMITTEE STILL IN EXECUTIVE SEES
SION-PROBABLE DECISION THIS MORNING.

THE BOOK COMMITTEE STILL IN EXECUTIVE sEs-
SION-PROBABLE DECISION THIS MORNING.
The Book Committee remained IN EXecu-
tive session yesterday without reaching basis OF se'e
mcnt on which the charges against Dr. lfnahah eoulu
he withdrawn Although the postpouement of the trial
may now be regarded certain, yet the final adjourn
ent of the case is attended with peculiar difficulties
arising from the uuWugnoss Of the persons directly in
tarcsted to make any concessions Tie form OF with
drawa and the reinstatement OF Dr. Lanaan, whether
conditional or unconditional were debated during tho
session. and finally referred to special committee for
consideration night The final adjustment VIII he
made this morning on the reassembng Of the Commit
tee and the results will he given 10 the public The halls
and anterooms were hronged during the session with
olergymen and laymCn OF the Methodist Church, ana
great impotence expressed at Tic delay Of the Com
nitee in reaching conclusion.
A OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF TIE CONCERN
ITS BUSINESS BAsIS-wiIERE THE PROFITS GO.
To me Edftor Of The TribuHe.
SIR: You fell this morning into the error of
surprising that hooks Published by the Book Concern
by the aid of contributions from the public The Metho
dist Book Concern is not beneficiary institution. In
this respect it differs from the American Bible Society,"
the various Tract Societies and several other denomina
tional publishing houses IL began it, operations IN 1882
in Philadelphia business baSis-its first agent, John
Dickens, oaning IL 5000 From that time to this except
for slight interval ia its early history it has carried
ite operations strictly business principles just any
other publishing house 1T neither receives contributions
nor gives away books. It's pubcatons-booss and peri
odicals-are manufactured and disposed OF on the prn
cples business, and not OF charity As funds haze
been contributed by the public none of the funds Ci The
public have bceni squandered nor purl0nel. If any
defalcation exists the money first made by the Con-
Germ and not received from ihe public; hence the public
can scarcely have that interest in the matter that your
editorial suggests.
While then, the Concern is in beneficiary,
IL is to all ntents and purposes bencuooJy First. it has
added to its capital stock the other publishing
bouscs until from 500 borrowed capital il has now
net capital stock OF S93699J "A. Beside this increase Ia
the capital stock the Bishops have been supported by
the Concern, and their travelling expenses paid The
dele gates 10 the General Conference every four years
have their travelling expenses paid by the Concern The
aged and wOrn-Out preachers as well as tho Widows and
orphans OF deceased lTeaehcs receive ana rom these
profits The amount paid by the Concern Tor these yar
purposes, from It's infancy until now 10 not know.
During the u years, however from Jan 1896 10 Jan J.
1862 the profits Of the Concern have been expended as
Bshors' salaries and travelling erpere. and General Con
Balance added TO capital stock 35o0Jl
Paid NJ. Church South per order Of Cour; l3sl8 q!
To aged preachers, wiiors and orphans 4po ~
These figures are official end may he regarded az
correct We doubt whether many other publishing
houses, from their profits alone, can present much
better showing. IL should De- borne III NINA, also, lhdt
the above exhibit the great financial crisis Of
1851 and the entire period OF the late disastrous war
Tie public also should not forget that amid all the
great financial storms that have passed tHis
country the Book Concern or the VI. J.. Church has
stood on solid basis Whatever may be the results OF
fears respect to It's financial condition aud prosperity
Indeed, the agent himself IN his zeal for REFORM
yearly profits ambunt tn 500, the public can rest
satisfied 20 the sOvency OF the Concern even though
the shayngs may be pocketed by some OF the en-
No. "a TaIicI ST., Jan. 10, 1871.