The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-02-20
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE ANNUAL COLLECTION FOR
PUBLICATION.

Assembly directs collection in all our
churches for the cause of Publication.
In view Of this collection now approach
ing, the earnest and prayerful attention OF
all our people is asked to the following state
ments:
Since the last annual collection great
change has taken place in the apparent cir
cumstances of this important interest. l. was
then supposed that the business of the Pub
LEGATION House was in comparatively healthy
condition; but developments made shortly
after demonstrated the fact that it was on
the verge of bankruptcy, and it was only
saved from that by the most strenuous ex
ertions on the part of members of the Com
mittee, and by prompt llberality on the part
of few churches and individuals who re-
sponded to the call.
1t was found that at least SIS 600 was
needed at once to save the enterprise from
disaster. OF this $l2 500 was raised imme-
diately, and nearly $1,000 has been since
added. Thus the immediate danger was
averted, but additional help is needed to re-
lieve the Publication cause from debt. At
tention is asked especially to the fact that
the amount raised above has been contri
buted by very few individuals and church
es; a like liberality on the part of the whole
Church would not only relieve the Commit
tee wholly of debt, but would place the Pdb-
LEGATION enterprise upon prosperous basis.
Under the direction Of the General AS
sembly, change has also taken place in the
plans and methods of conducting the bust.
ness of the Publication Committee. A con-
tract has been entered into for the publica-
ton of the Sabbath School papers, and alsC
for the publication and sale Of books and
tracts. 1t is believed that under these new
arrangements an income will be derived from
the papers, and from the publication business
sufficient to pay the expenses of the Commit
tee, whenever the present indebtedness shall
have been liquidated.
The expenses of the Committee have been
reduced to the lowest possible figure, and the
assets of the Committee are being realized as
fast as possible, and the proceeds applied to
the liquidation of the debt. But as it is ne
cessary for the future work of Publication in
our Church that the stereotype plates, which
constitute part of our assets, should be re
tanned, there will be needed about $4,000
more than We can realize from all other as
Gets to relieve the concern wholly from debt.
Whenever this point shall have been reached,
there seems to be no reason why the Com.
mittee, relieved of all membranes, should
not be able, under the new system of opera
tons, to accomplish the great objects of the
Publication work with increased success and
efficiency, and be instrumental in putting
into the hands of our people sound Chris
tian literature, in meeting the wants of our
Sabbath School work, and in supplying our
wide, destitute field.
Whenever this debt is paid, there can be
little doubt that every dollar contributed to
the Publication cause can be applied to the
missionary end benevolent department of our
work.
This cause has, therefore, basis of ap-
peal to our churches at this time such as it
never had before.
First, The debt must be paid. It matters
not, to our present purpose, how it was in
Cured. We cannot afford that the honor
and credit of our Church should suffer /; and
something of discredit there must be until it
is paid in full.
Second, We cannot afford to have the work
of one great arm of our Church suspended.
There was never time when it was more
needed. Under our present circumstances,
the aid that is 30 urgently demanded for des
titute Sabbath Schools and churches cannot
be given. It is for the Church to decide by
its action whether this work shall 60 on or
not A liberal contribution will enable the
Committee to extiuguish the debt, and also
put it in position to prosecute successfully
this great branch of the Church's work.
The Committee of Publication desires to
inform the Church fully of it's financial con
dition but as the Committee of InVestiga
ton published detailed statement in Octo-
Der last, and as similar but fuller state
ment will be given in the forthcoming An
nual Report to the General Assembly, it is
deemed unnecessary to give in the narrow
limits of this circular more than the brief
statement below, which gives in round nun.
bers the present financial condition.
The debt remaining upon the Publication
House is $31 600 90
The property will non bring this amount
and, it is believed can be sold in short
time for several thousand dollars more.
Pending the sale of it. the rents afford
reliable income sufficient to meet the
interest on the above debt and the taxes
on the property.
The amount of the recent loss was about, % 900 90
Of which there has been paid from SUBJ
scriptions for that purpose, 10000 Oh
Leaving still unprovided fer, 5000 90
The amount of the legitimate debt on the
business, Is, 900 90
Total debt on the business, 80 900 90
| There are assets IN notes, subscriptions
and accounts, to meet this debt about, 90 600 90
Amount needed to relieve the Committee
| of debt, $40 COO 90
| There are stereotype plates aud other pro-
per in addition to the above, most Of
which cannot be made available in pay
ment of the debt, amounting, in esti-
mated Ualue to tile Committee. to, S24 200 90
Pastors and Sessions are specially request
ed to have this circular read to their congre-
cations, or brought to their attention in such
other manner as they may deem best.
JAMES K. HAZEN,
Secretary of Publication.
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
EDUCATION Rooms Memnhis Feb '78