The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-05-29
know That is matter which belongs wholly to
the system of that Church, and into which l have

i.
over $1,000 But their catalogue Is
not more than half as large as our two catalogues
suppose the difference is owing to their remotenesS
from the centre of operations of the great puDhsng
interests of this country This brings me to explain
our method of doing business In the first place,
as to the business represented by that large cata
logue. Being so close to New York and Phlladei,
phia we are able to keep invested. IN our retail
business So 500, on an average. That is what we
have at this time invested in this particular de,
partment of our work 1t requires good deal OF
labor on the part of our clerks but that is the way
we make the capital pay its way-by turning it over,
and over, and over again; keeping on hand only
small supply at time. Within twenty four hours
we can have the books started from New York on
the steamship, and on our shelves in forty eight
hours more. In that way our capital is made to 60
a long ways. We adopted that policy at the very
start, and have pursued it successfully Orders sent
to us are hardly ever delayed on that account =
Sometimes orders come in for books of our own
manufacture, from three or four wholesale dealers,
and suddenly sweep our shelves, so that we have to
delay fulfilling them until can have new edition
made ready. But there is commonly no delay in
this business
Again, with regard to our own publications. All
our work is done by contract wherever we can get
1t best done. There are sometimes causes OF COM
plant. We have been sorely distressed at times by
the way in which our contracts have been filled 1t
will not be expected that should name the publish
ing house where we have our work done; but will
say that we have contracted with men whose repu-
tation stands the very highest. Our binding has
been done where the best binding in this country
has been turned out. We have tried them, and gone
away, and come back. | suppose one reason OF
complaint is that hymn books are proverbialy badly
used. Sometimes people try the back to see wheth-
er it is of the best kind and give 1t twist that no
binding except flexible will stand, and break it in
the back the first time they open it. But whatever
be the reason, you may examine the two hymn books
in the hands of the agents on ain street, and will
be sassfed~wiih the comparison.
We have another way of ecOnomizng our capital
Let us take on illustration. The " Presbyterian
Board publishes most excellent Sabbath school
book, called John Mckay" 1t was published
originally by the Religious Tract Society of Lon
don. The committee did not think there was any
special virtue in getting the stereotype plates,
especially when we could publish it without using
that much of our capital which we needed so badly
in other departments So we made contract by
which we secured the sheets at such a price
that we could sell it at the same price as the
Presbyterian Board and other Northern publish
ers. Thus we avoid exbausting our capital by
stereotype plates. We have something like a
hundred books OF that sort. Toshow the economy
of this PLAN the stereotype plates OF these hundred
books would have cost us $50 600, and the engrav-
ings from five to ten thousand more. We sell them
as low as the Northern publishers-some of them
lower-and make a legitimate profit. This is the
way in which we make our small capital DO so
much. The brethren inquire why we do not pub
lish more. Manuscripts are sent US from all parts
of the country, but we have not the money. Last
year the churches gave US about a thousand dol
lars, and this year fifteen hundred for publishing.
1t cost us four thousand dollars to stereotype DR..
ThornwelPs works. How many books can we
bring out on capital Of that amount, which is all
that has been given us to increase our business for
the past two yearsY
As to the missionary agency think it is the
right view, and was reioiced to hear the brother
present that aspect of it. understand from some
members of the Assembly, that in their sections OF
the Church it is looked upon merely as business.
which ought to sustain itself. Whenever it be-
comes that, you will have to get somebody else for
Secretary. | will not hire myself to anybody merely
to transact business. | have the vows of my ordi-
nation resting upon me. Neither this Assembly,
nor any authority upon earth, can order me to go
into merely secular business-can dare to step be
tween me and that God before whom | took those
VOWS. This was not the purpose of the Presbyterian
Church, in establishing this committee. 1t was
intended as missionary agency-to publish the
Gospel. When we issue the Children'S Friend at
mere COST is that simply business transaction, to
be looked upon in a commercial point OF view
When the voice comes to us from South America,
aud the Indian tribes to print books that the peo-
pie living In darkness and the shadow Of death,
may have the gospel spread broadcast among them,
is 1t to be said, that it Is business transac-
ton? Do we select our books on business princ-
pies? Give me thirty FIVE thousand dollars as
capital, merely to make money, and might prom =
Use to he worth a million of dollars in ten years
but give me that amount to use for you, and ]
should consider myself very bad man If | allowed
it to approach million of dOllors in twenty years.
We must use it for the one great end of publishing
the Gospel Die we publish the works of Thorn
WE'LL or the Earnest Hour" Of Plumer, to make
money? No sir; it was to do good, and to
strengthen the hearts of Gods children. The
books that do the most good, are not those out of
which money is made. | was glad, therefore, that
the brother dwet upon this point, We are mis-
sionary agency, for the whole Church.
Nevertheless it is a work which must be con-
Quoted on business principles The point of CEN
trality has nothing to do with this question Go
to Mr.. Stewart, In. New York, and present before
him the argument of old father Birch, that Dan
vile is the centre of Boyle county, Boyle county
is the centre of Kentucky, Kentucky is the centre
of the United States, therefore Danville is the
centre of the United States, and the place for
Centre College. Present that argument to Stew
art-that his store on Broadway is not central;
that his business ought to be removed to Danvile.
Let Mr.. Stewart become demented, and do that
and though he is worth fifty millions, it will not be
long before he will empty his pockets. New York
is the best point of distribution on this continent
and if the Committee of Publication is to be
moved anywhere, New York city is the place but
would not live there, think, if you would give
me the city. What is the best place In the bounds
of our Church? If there is any point superior to
Richmond, do not know where it is. When we
started here Baltimore was proposed, and Il
speak frankly wanted to 60 l went to Balti
more as boy; | came to my majority there,
joined the people of God became deacon in the
Church, and studied my profession there. | was
we'll acquainted with all the ramI6cations of society
there, | wOHd have gone back to my old home,
where even at this day some of my own family
live And the idea filled my heart with gladness
The General Assembly had referred the matter to
the Committee of Publication. Now, to show how
free the brethren OF Richmond are from mere 10.
cal consideratiens-the Committee told me to go
to Baltimore and investigate the matter thoroughly
and that if after mature inquiry | could satisfy
them that the interests of the Church required
removal, they would do it with all their heart
My heart was In the matter and | went there
but soon found that my head could not get into it,
In every respect, in which Baltimore was suitable,
was equally so. And in the one great
respect OF cheapness OF rent, house little more
than halt as wide as our place on Main street. and
less tnan nan llS uepIn, WOulu COST I'VE thousand
dollars year for the whole building, or two thous-
and for that little pen; while rooms for the Secre-
.ary would have to be found in another place, and
storage for our goods in still another. Here our
rent is twenty five hundred dollars, which is re-
luced by sub-letting to fourteen hundred. This
General Assembly have seen our accommodations,
and every one is grati6ed. l reported to the Com
nittee, and the idea was abandoned and l think
wisely.
Now as to Nashville, the brother has told you
about railroads, and how they send goods to Texas
by them, but here we have lines of steamers whose
Yessels are leaving every day from which we re-
,eive through bill Of lading to Texas, New Or
expenses for commissions or risk from handling.
say that Galveston is nearer in a commercial
mint of view 70 Richmond than IL ever nnssihlp