Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-03-01

AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF ITS
ORIGIN AND DESIGN.
Brief Sketch of the Establishment of
which Rev. DR. Eaton is One of tho
Agents Remarkable Growth ofthe
Methodist Publishing Business.


the Methodist Book Concern is certainly one
of her favored children, for it was conceived
in need and born of necessity. Its history is
of great interest as can he inferred from the
fact that its century will close August Il,
1899. The Methodist Episcopal church
took an organic form and denominational
move at its first general conference, called
the "Christmas conference held at Balti-
more in December, 1854, Bishops ASbuiy and
Coke presiding. The Methodist ministers
OF those formative times keenly felt thu great
need of furni shing the membership of the
church and the candidates for her coming
ministry with religious, eNpository and
polemc literature TO educate the people and
their future pastors i'm the doctrines and pO-
lily of the church Of their choice; but ex-
pcrience taught them that permanent
church must provide a proper literature for
its people. To purchase and import sufli
cient and suitable books from England was
an impossibity with the church in her prn-
tive poverty Under the stress of "A demon
national necessity the Methodist Boob
Concern was founded 'by faith 10y Meth
odist ministers in less than five years after
the Methodist Episcopal church was formed.
In tiS9 the Rev. John Dickins was APP
pointed pastor of church in Philadelphia
with the added authority of book steward.
| With capital of $500. which he loaned for
fine occasion. he rented n room ON Fourth
street and the Methodist Book Concern was
founded August l., tiSg. At Dickins' death
in September. 1888 the concern was $500
in debt. IN 100, by the united re
quest of the Baltimore and Philadelphia CON
tcrcnceS, Bishop Asbury appointed Ezekiel
Cooper agent of the Book Concern. In
1901 less than IL wears ont of debt and with
a conpetant caritaI for business. it was re-
moved TO New York where it still remains.
In 1S33. after itinerating from house to
house and from street to street. in Methodist
style. and after wandering for over 40 years.
like Moses in the wilderness. the concern"
was located i'm Il new building erected Tor il
on five lots purchased for that purpose on
/ Mulberry street. In les, than three wears
/ February IL 1S36 thc new blillinr was
| m1rned down fine contents and building be.
! ing valued al $3.50 600 Owing to recent
! baulI1lptcy of many of the comDanics. but
| littlc Insurance couId be collcctpd Aided
! NV n contribution of $50 g9l o. by wcalthv
| friand, new buillinr was erected at POO
| Mulberry street which still stands and is o.-
cupied for the printing house, and manufac-
tories of the "conccrn. -
In 1869 n large first class brick building
at 500 BroadwDv was purchased. costing
nearly 81. OOO. 900 part of which was paid
h,, tho Niit.inno,.,, .ocio+,. ,itb fund. .,o-
ni,1l,, dona+od ro,, +l,o+ ,,,,,.ny, h,, wealth..
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