Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
The American bible Society Is NOT
Going Out of business.

The statement has frequently been
made during the last few months IN the
pulpit. on the platform, ana in the press
both religious and secular. that the
American Bible Society, when mas It's
Headquarters in New YORK, mas Iouhu
itself to be a failure; that 1t mas ABOUT
decided TO sell its valuable BiOle-house
with all its costly equipment, ana go
ont ~ The business of circulating Gods
U-ord This statement is entirely untrue,
and no doubt il has usually been MADE
through Ignorance. though there is reason
10 believe that in some cases it has been
done maliciOusly. Because of the lallhs
off of the contributions of churches ana
Christian people. upon which the society
ia dependent for its support, II mas peeh
found necessary 10 Curtail the great Nolh
il is doing. though the demands 1or
the circulation Of Gods Word are greater
than ever. But. because TIE society
could nublish only 100000 copies or the
HOW Scriptures during the past year
whilst If published 1.750,OO during the
previous year, is no reason tor saying
that II will not publish any In the years
to come.
The American Bible Society has always
sbown itself in the conduct OF us DuS-
mess. ready to take advantage Oh any
Improvement in methods. ANA now, ina
euch rand strides are being maze III
Tho art Of book-making, the Board OF
Managers show their business sense IN
considering the question "a to how they
can host take advantage Of these changes
c"n OeS' W. s. c.
y SZThe following extract from the
p,hla society Record, the official organ OIL
the society. states the matter Yer!
clearly: , pihte
Tho annual report Of the American Blpie
coo,otv which was presented in May iaS''
ooationed among other things as tneh
der consideration in the Board OF
nfapogers the possible sale OF the blple
house. which has now Tor more IMAM
FORTY years afforded ample room lor Its
Offices. press-room, and DihuviS, ""u
Welded a considerable revenue run -
rentals after paying TOT inc eApen'r
maintenance. For the societys own pun
noses the building was never more ser
r,focahte than at the present time nut
"a. nremises are larger than II heeus'
"a Is some of its tenants have been at
.racted ~ more modern buildings nearer
80 Madison Square, the conviction mas
Gained ground that 1t would be wen iVi
H. society TO sell its building, so auN"h-
taoeouelv situated for certain klhus VI
business whenever a satisfactory ohei
III ha received. Accordingly, at a spe-
c,al meeting Of the managers, held o,
tho 21st Of october. 1t was DECIDED 10 Sei'
the nroperty as soon as II can pt uohe -
q fair nrice. How soon That VIII De vi
. - 10 one ventures to predict. No ur-
gency of affairs compeis Nhe SoOl''s
9aLe this step, nor has any pan peeh
considered for purchasing or building else
where OF course, the general worK Oh
the society will go on, and all IT'S re-
sources and efforts will be devoted In the
future. as in the past, to the promotoh
of the wider circulation OF the iiolS
Scriptures in our own and foreign Janus
me sale of the Bible House, whenever
il may be accomplished, Will, OF course
Lring TO a practical issue the question
whether IL will be better TO set up q new
printing establishment in some o'her parl
~ the city. or to rely upon procuring by
contract such editions as it's work re-
ouires The conditions of business ana
~ manufacture have materially changed
I'm forty wears. and possibly new light VIII
he cast upon the problem as the mohths
90 by. For the present, however the
manufacture of Bibles and Testaments
viii he conducted as heretofore, and pro-
bably a new printing press OF the most
approved pattern will be procured TO IA
~cilitate the publication OF certain standard
editions Of the English Bible.
The financial condition of the society
has not materially changed since it's last
appeal was sent out in April. The re-
CENTS from legacies and donations for the
seven months since April LIST are larger
than those of the corresponding months
of 1886. and have been fully equal TO the
expenditures thus far made. But those
receipts are not on a scale sufficient to
meet the appropriations for the fiscal
year. and The work for which the society
stands pledged will not be provided for
by the current receipts Of the year. unless
q large increase is made between now and
tina 3lst of March next.
With thanks for generous gifts already
received, the society still appeals to
churches and individuals who bave not
found il convenient thus far to respond
10 lend their aid in circulating among
the ignorant and needy the Holy Scrip
lures. which are able to make men wise
unto salvation through faith which is In