The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-05-29

were for the endowment fund, which, with
this addition, now amounts to $35, OO7.99.
Four hundred dollars was for the publication
of the writings Of Dr. Thorwell; $4,5s9.21
have been expended in gratuitous distribu-
ton. leaving but 81, 9O9.26 for business pur-
poses. The receipt from the Earnest Worker
and Childrens Friend have been IS, 36836,
and from sales S27, 477.84.
There has been an increase in the business
transactions of the Committee amounting to
S5.57O.94. The net assets are set down at
$40. 255 .O5. an increase Of SS25.9O over those
reported last year.
There have been printed and bound 81 ,45O
volumes, and So, 900 Catechisms, Catalogues,
pamphlet Hymn books, Tracts, and Envelopes.
The surp lus accumulated during previous
years from business transactions, has been
diminished, in part, by the discount of
twenty per cent on purchases, which have
been granted during the last two years;
partly from the lack of sufficient cap
ital; partly from the increase in the ordinary
expenses of conducting the business; and
partly from the fact that the pressure on the
Committee of Education has rendered 1T ne
cessary to pay the entire salaries Of the joint
officers of these committees from the re-
sources of the Committee of Publication
Your committee would recommend the
adoption by the Assembly of the following
resolution, covering certain points referred to
the Assembly by the Executive Committee.
l. The Assembly expresses its approval OF
the manner in which the Committee have
carried out the suggestion of the Assembly
of 1870 as to an uniform lesson for Sabbath
Schools, and its desire that they should ex-
tend it to other portions of Scripture, at their
discretion, when the gospel of Matthew shall
be completed The attention of Sessions and
Superintendents of these schools is called to
this system, the use of which has proved so
satisfactory and beneficial where it has been
introduced and faithfully pursued.
.. That attention be also called to the
Sabbath School Hymn Book, and Tune Book,
issued under the title of "The Voice OF
Praise" the preparation of which was I'M
dertaken at the suggestion of the same As
sembly, and the publication ordered by the
Assembly of 1871, the use of which IN
our Sabbath Schools will train our chill
dren to take part in the fellowship OF song
as conducted in the sanctuary.
8. That the Assembly expresses its appreciation
of the principles on which the preparation of Tune
and Hymn Book for churches, recommendedby the
two last Assemblies, has been conducted. These
and the abour on the part of Secretary which has
been bestowed upon it, the best securities of its
receiving the appreciation, and meeting the wants
of the church when it shall be completed.
4. That the Committee be advised to add brief
abstract of religious news to the columns of the
Earnest Worker, for the benefit of those whose
means do not allow them to take any other religious
paper
5. The application of the missionaries in Brazil
to have one page or more of the Ch5Jdren'S
Friend printed in Portuguese, in sufficient number
of copies to meet the wants of the mission, is refer
red by the Executive Committee to the General
Assembly for its direction. This Committee recon-
mended that the Assembly authorize the Executive
Committee tocomply with this request as they have
previously done to the publication of the Shorter
Catechsm and Spelling Book in the Choctaw for
the use of the mission among the Indians of that
tribe. And that they further authorize the publica
ton of tracts in Portuguese, provided the expense
and responsibility of the translation of the be
borne by the Executive Committee of Foreign Mis-
sions.
6. The Endowment Fund for the Executive Com
mitteeof Publication, Notwithstanding the generous
contributions obtained for it at its inception in New
Orleans, Mobile, and Nashville, and the liberal do
nations from certain individuals which it thus re-
ceved and the $151S IS added to it the last year,
still lacks $4 99S of the 80 900 originally proposed.
The attention of the Presbyteries that have not
made up their proportion of this amount is directed
to the tabular statement of the sum needed from
them. They are enjoined to use all diligence to
! procure from their congregations their sums and
forward them as early as practicable
This recommendation should not prevent any Wis
measures the Executive Committee may adopt fCr
the increment of this fund, which is not likely to be
larger than is needed to accomplish the objects the
! Church has in view
The Committee recommend that the Assembly
appoint the following as the Executive Committee
for the ensuing year: Rev. E. T. Baird, d. D.,
Secretary Charles Gennet, Treasurer; Drs. NJ.
D. Hoge, William Brown, @. II. Read, Rev. E. H.
Rutherford Rev. Thomas L. Preston, Rev. w. A.
Campbell, Hon. w. F. Taylor, Hon. E. Ii. Ftz-
hugh, and Hon B. r. Wexford.
Mr.. McNeilly-As representative from the Pres
bytery of Nashville, deem it due to this Assem-
bly,, and to the Presbytery and city from which
come, to state the circumstances under which this
overture was presented. The Presbytery of Nash,
vile has for years felt an interest in the work Of
Publication, deeming that it is, or can be made
one of the strongest missionary agencies Of the
Church, and in proportion to her ability she has
shown her faith by her works. A few months ago,
when the Committee Of Publication issued theil
usual circular before the annual collection, our peo
pie were stirred up in regard to this work. by GER
tain circumstances in their midst. | read the
annual circular in my own church. and at the same
time. among number of friends in the First
Presbyterian Church of Nashville, | spoke of the
Importance of this work. The question was i'm
mediately asked Why it was that we did not dc
more extensive publishing than we did? [ replied
that it was simply because we had not the money.
That we all felt that 1T was necessary for us as
Church, that the demands of the religious world
were pressing on US to do our share, and we saw
the amount of infdel literature circulated, and also
OF the namdy-pamby calledrellgious
literature we felt that there was laid on our Church
the duty of publishing sound, Cavinistic litera-
ture, which would vindicate our right to position
among the churches. These gentlemen felt this,
and they came to me earnestly desiring to do
something to promote this work. They asked what
was the first step in this direction. said, that we
had no publishing house. My impression was that
we owned one or two small printing presses,
and that it would be policy to enlarge our print
ing operations as we had the means They said at
once, that they could raise forty thousand dollars,
that is, an eligible lot worth fifteen thousand dollars,
and the rest in money So we set to work to do it.
Now the thing distinctly before the minds of most
of the subscribers, was publishing house, regard
less whether the work were done by contract or by
our own printing presses; but with the idea that
in the course of time it would grow to large book
concern Others, not members of the Presbyte-
rian Church, gave literally with The view Of bcne-
fitting Nashville commercially, having the idea that
it was to be book concern. After coming to
Richmond, and hearing from DR.. Baird the whole
method of working this business | found that it
would require very large capital, and | did not
feel that the Church was, or ever would be in a
position to supply it. And | doubt whether if the
Church were in such position, it would be right
did not feel at liberty to make this Offer
l thought the subscribers should know the
state of affairs. In conjunction with the elder
from Nashville, L wrote to them explaining
tho whole matter. and asking whether or not