The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-05-29

after be published monthly, aud devoted ez
clusivelv to the exposition of the Sabbat
School Lessons, and other subjects promotiv
of Sabbath School work"
In accordance with this direction, chang
has been made in the form, time of publica
ton, and plan of the Earnest Worker, which
change went into effect on the first of Octo
Der last.
RETRENCHMENT.
The Executive Committee addressed itsel
to the work of retrenchment as early as pos
sible after the meeting of the General Assem-
bly. A reduction in the force employed in tn
store was made at once; but as the business
was continued in the hands of the Committe,
until November 18th, and as the subscrip
ton lists and accounts of the Sabbath Schoo
papers remained in their hands until January
1st, the statement of expenses for the last
ecclesiastical year, which is now offered, does
not show the scale of expenses under the new
system.
A reduction was also made in the salaries
of the Secretary and Treasurer. Under our
present arrangement these, together with
necessary travelling expenses, postage, and
stationery, will constitute the annual ex.
pepses of the Committee.
It will be seen from what has thus far
been presented, that the Executive Commit
tee have sought faithfully to carry out the
instructions of the General Assembly, and
their effort has been attended with good
degree of success.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE YEAR.
The unfortunate condition of the Publica
ton enterprise, as revealed in the last An
nual Report to the General Assembly, has
of course prevented any considerable effort
in this direction. The Committee has been
instrumental in bringing out one book that
has been received with much commendstion,
and is regarded by many as the best book
we have for the special work for which it is
designed, viz civilian THE BAPTIST" by
Rev. James M. CLANCY, Lexington, Mo-,
PIP. 245. This, however, was published for
the author.
A tract volume of "a pages has also been
issued, viz: "AssURANoE OF GRACE AND
SALvATIoN-What it is; How to attain it /;
Whv some do not enjoy it" by Rev. VIM.
S. Plumer, D. D. This valuable addition to
our list of smaller publications, has been
made through the favor of friend, who fur
nished the means of stereotyping the work.
The issues from the press during the year
have been as follows, viz:
Sinless Character of Christ, $50
Psalms and HYMNS, 5000
Report of Committee of Publication, 5000
William the Baptist, 1000
Book of Church Order, $500
Assurance of Grace and Salvation, 500
Childrens Friend, 235,OOO
Earnest Worker, 47,000
Lesson Papers, $4,000
SABBATH SCHOOL PAPERS.
The Earnest Worker, commencing with
the October number, appeared as a thirty
two page pamphlet, as being form more
convenient for Sabbath School work, in the
school and out of it, than the newspaper,
and has been issued monthly, instead of semi
monthly as before. The character Of rel-
gious newspaper has been wholly abandoned,
and the present plan is to admit nothing to
its pages that does not bear directly upon the
lessons of the month, or upon the Sabbath
School work.
THE Children's Friend.-No material
change has been made in this paper. The
average circulation for the year past has
been not far from 10000, portion of which
is 10 the Reformed Church.
Lesson Papers-But one Lesson Paper
has been issued by the Committee up to Jan
uary 1st, 1878; but as there was much COM
plant that our lessons were too hard for
many of the scholars, and there seemed to be
pressing demand for something more sim
pie, it was determined to publish Primary
Lesson Paper. This was commenced on the
1st of January, and has met with great fa-
vor. The present issue is about one.half as
large as the advanced Lesson Paper, but it
is rapidly increasing, and when our Sabbath
Schools become fully acquainted with it, we
anticipate its general use.
BENEVOLENT WORK.
The total amount donated during the year
was 81, 37O-scarcely one-fourth the average
amount of previous years.
While our enterprise is burdened with
debt, this work must necessarily be greatly
crippled. How soon this burden shall be re.
moved, and this important work be restored
to its full measure of usefulness remains for
the Church to say.
00LP0RTAGE WORK.
The Committee of Publication have felt
that not only is this work an important part
of the charge committed to their hands, but
the best success of the whole work is largely
dependent upon the vigorous prosecution Of
colportage. 1t has been thought that the
changes that have been made in plans Of
business would leave more time and oppor-
tunity for the Secretary to give to this branch
of the work.
With view to meet many inquiries that
have been received from time to time, and
also to prompt our Presbyteries to some early
effort in this direction, circular, addressed
to our Presby yteries, was issued April 1st, in
which practical plan for the prosecution Of
the work of colportage was presented. Itis
already known to the Committee that many
of the Presbyteries have entered upon the
work in response to this suggestion, and it is
hoped that our whole field may be reached
by this effort.
| AGENCIES.
10 the report to the General Assembly,
May, 1877, it was stated, p. 1S, that in &C.
cordance with an order of the previous Gen
eral Assembly, the Executive Committee had
appointed the Rev. s. D. Stuart to act as