The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-13
PUBLICATION.

We publish this week the report of the
Standing Committee and Ia portion of the dis
cussion in the Assembly. The remainder
will appear next week; iG reached US too late
for this paper. A few remarks may be ap.
propriate.
l. 1t will be seen that almost without ex-
ception the tone observed in what was said,
was very kind. The Rev. Mr.. Davis, of
North Carolina, was noted exception. His
speech is considerably sRorn of some of its
plumage, such as it was. Mr.. Davis. has
been an ordained minister about three gears!
When he expressed some apprehensions of
being eaten up, it might not have been un-
suitable to reflect that when the operation of
eating is undertaken, people commonly ex-
pect some indulgence Of choice, and to con-
duct it according to tstsilr QEn taste and relish.
Never we're fears more Purely imaginary.
2. The Standing Committee and the Au.
ditibg GousnitteeSbota, refer to the reports
and accounts of the Executive COMMITTEES as
unsatisfactory. 1t should be noted here that
substantially the same kind of report and the
same kind of accounts were presented last
year. The Standing Committee then said
to the Assembly "without dissenting voice, :"
"that the exhibit which has been made is full
and complete, and they are entirely satisfied
with the fidelity and care with which these
great interests have been kept" Minutes
D. 221.) The Auditing Committee also say
concerning the books and accounts (all of
which we're sent up) "theSe books seem to be
in good order and we'll kept" &C., p. 215.-
1t may be that the reports sent this year
were not as complete as those of the last, but
it should be considered, as was remarked on
the floor of the Assembly by Mr.. Kennedy,
that for the last month or two the affairs of
the Committee have been in disturbed con-
dition. Apart, however, from the deficit
connected with the late Secretary, the con-
dition of the Publication interest cannot be
essentially different from what it was last
year.
3 The criticisms made as to the expen-
siyeness of the scheme as heretofore man
aged, should be received with caution. One
member contrasted it with the expense in dis
bursting the funds for Foreign Missions and
other purposes. Of course it costs more to
take 81, 900, and getit put into books-pay-
ing for paper, printing, etc., and then sell
ing them, than simply to receive 1000, and
distribute the amount to the proper persons
either at home or abroad. DR.. Hoge very
pointedly declared that this same kind of cal
culations would overturn all the Theological
Summaries and colleges in the land. They
proceeded up5r the idea ikatOur Publication
scheme was deSigned to make money-where-
as it was, in the main, one of beneyolence.
It is also appropriate to notice, in reading
the proceedings of the Northern Assembly,
that their Committee of Publication is as
sailed in precisely this same way, and a COM
mittee of investigation has been demanded
and appointed to examine the expensiveness
of their opers tions in Foreign Missions.
It is by no means intended to intimate
here that the plan of keeping the accounts,
or of conducting the business of this concern
has been as good as it might be. Recent oc-.
currences have drawn critical attention to
this matter, and wehaVe a great deal of after
light as usually happens. 1t seems n0w very
plain that some of these things might have
been foreseen. The hindsight is better than
the foresight, certainly and always. Let the
Committee profit by their experience. All
We have to say at present ls that, upon the
motion of DR.. Hoge, chairman of the Publ
cation Committee, a special committee of
three is appointed to make thorough exam
nation of all affairs, and to publish their re-
port for public information. This is at all
lines the right of the Assembly, and under
existing circumstances is plainly their duty.
The Executive Committee have never opposed
my motion Of this kind. Let US await that
eport. |