The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-20
Vol. l2.---NO. 48.

to trust in our desire to do right, then it is
plain sailing. 1t is desirable to ascertain
the sentiment of the Assembly exactly.
DR.. Woodrow-The design was not to
leave it discretionary. The Assembly, by
adopting this resolution, decides that the
Committee have no discretion. But this
Committee is expected to make a faithful
effort to effect an arrangement for selling
the books by contract then if it finds this
impracticable, after faithful effort, it has
discharged its duty. would reply to DR..
Smith that the nature Of the contract of the
bookseller will decide what effect it shall
have. The Committee is not required to con-
tract with bookstores already existing. One
source of large revenue could be made from
the fact that $4,000 worth are given away
every year. presume this is at catalogue
prices-costing the Committee about $4,000
so that there is about $4,000 year clear
gain. If the Publishing House would not
give royalty for issuing your works, here
is an opportunity for making your contract
with the seller more profitable, and one that
any man would be glad to take hold of.
Mr.. Watkins moved to strike out the word
"sale." He thought it was best to leave the
matter of the sale to the discretion of the
Committee.
Mr.. Kennedy-I do hope that this fire.
brand will not be thrown into this house at
this late hour.
DR.. Hoge-I do not want that word struck
out. am perfectly willing to make sim
cere, honest effort to have the books sold by
contract.
The motion was lost and the resolution
adopted.
The third resolution was read.
Mr. Daniel renewed his motion to amend
this resolution by striking out the last clause,
beginning with the word sunless" He said
he offered it with hesitation; but it was Of
fered not in captious spirit, but because he
thought it necessary for the interests Of
Christ's kingdom, and because it was neces.
sary to secure the hearty cooperation of
the Church in this Publication work. If
that clause is stricken out he would 20
heart and hand for the balance of the re-
port.
Mr.. Neel said that the point he would like
w S01 db 10 tulb OuI OUpluibb0o di y III iou-
BILE, and just now the question is one that
ought not to be thrust on it; and, secondly,
it may be perversion of trust funds to sell
the house, and it would be best to retain the
house for another year. 1t is hardly possible
that it will do to sell-for year at least
on account of the terrible financial troubles
of the times; so we need not handle this
question now.
DR.. Hoge-Suppose We fail to make the
arrangement for sale by contract, you will
appoint Secretary-with the work at heart,
and after an earnest effort-and we conclude
this could not be done. We would have no
place for our books and business. Let us
retain the house till we can say what to do
with our books.
On one point DR.. Hoge laid emphasis: We
have started out on a new regime--to be eco
nomical then don't make too many changes.
The Philadelphia Board of Publication has
an endowment of $500, 900, and house, and
the brethren there think that is the best way
to operate.
This is an Assembly with an. evident de-
sire to harmonize things. We have been 60
ing on unanimously on everything. Our
votes on the Book of Church Order, on Fra
ternal Relations, on the delegates to the AL
lance, were all unanimous. Let US be unan-
imous on this.
Mr.. TOmIn-Is the house paying the in
surance and interest on it?
DR.. Hoge-It does. 1t pays more than
that. 1t pays in addition what we would
have to pay for rent of another building.
Mr.. Daniels amendment was lost, and the
resolution was adopted.
The Assembly then adjourned till to-mor-
row morning, at 9 o'clock.
(NINTH DAY)
The resolutions recommended by the Com
mittee regarding the Earnest Worker and
the Children's Friend were adopted, as also
the resolution providing that the restrictions
heretofore placed upon the sale of books are
withdrawn, and the matter left to the discre-
ton of the Executive Committee. The res
olution calling upon the churches and people
to assist the Executive Committee in paying
the losses incurred by the late Secretary,
was amended by the words "by the late Sec
retary" being struck out, after which the
resolution was adopted.
The next resolution, proposing the name
of the Secretary of the Executive Commit
tee, was made a special order for II M.
THE SPECIAL ORDER.
The election of Secretary for the Ex-
ecutiVe Committee on Publication was taken
up. Several names we're put in nomination,
but all were withdrawn except those of Rev.
James K. Hazen, of Alabama, and Rev. r. L.
Breck, Of kentucky. Mr.. Hazen received
65 votes, DR.. Breck 30, and Mr.. Hazen was
declared elected Secretary of Publication.
The Executive Committee on Publication
stands, as adopted BY the Assembly, as fol-
lows:
Secretary, Rov. James K. Hazen; Trea-
surer, G. Gennet; ReVS. M. D. Hoge, D. D.,
W. Brown, D. D., c. H. Read, D. D., T.
L. Preston, D. D., W. A. Campbell; W. f.
Taylor, B. r Wexford, E. H. Fitzhugh, r..
Ould, S. H. Hawes, and M. M. Gillian.
The whole report was then adopted.
DR.. HOge then introduced the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, That the General Assembly appoint
three experienced business men, familiar with ac-
counts, to repair to Richmond at as early day as
practicable, for the purpose of making thorough
examination into the affairs Of the Committee of
Publication, aud report the result to the public
through their newspapers, and to the next Assem-
bly,; and that aternates be appointed to supply
the places of the committee who are unable to 60.
Mr.. Berry favored the adoption of the
resolution. Il would do more to relieve the
doubts and suspicious of the Church at large
than anything that could possibly be done.
He feIt that the Committee were intelligent,
high minded, honorable men; but the whole
Church had to be satisfied.