The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26
VIGOROUS TRUTHS BROUGHT
FORTH BY MASTER MINDS

the entire Baptist body in the publication OF
Baptist literature.
Among those most conscious of this lack was
Rev Noah X: Davis. young pastor of Sails
nury, Nd: While student at Columbian Col
student James D. Knowles. about the mat
Ter OF forming society for the publication
OF baptlst tracts, and subsequent meeting
with Rev Samuel Cornelius who carried tracts
IN MS bell-crowned hat, deepened his desire for
IN o9e formation Of such society. As result
OF his Observation-Disclosures meeting was called
ana held at the house OF George Wood in
the city of Washington, February Is, 1924, at
Wnlch time, after much deliberation and
prayer: the Baptist General Tract Society was
formed Among those who were present at
work projected were Dr. William Staughton.
president of Columbian College. who acted as
chairman of the meeting; DIR. Baron Stow
women.
An organization having been effected the Of
ncers appointed proceeded at once through the
columns of The Columbian Star and other
papers to make known their action TO the de-
the hrst ten months of its history nineteen
tracts were printed, 5000 copies of which were
hrst year ten central repositories were estab-
lshed ana thirty y-eight auxiliary societies were
formed; erT The great difficulty with which the
new new society had to contend was lack of funds.
Inc receipts for the first year only 1878 50.
Fro, From the time of its removal from Wash
ington to Philadelphia until the year 1s40 the
died in 1880. after three years of faithful SER
vice, and was succeeded by Rev Ira NJ. Allen.
Ihere was constant lack of funds. and work
which was from time to time projected had
TO be abandoned because there was no money
In the treasury. 1t was impossible on this
account, TO keep agents in the field. For the
dissemination of its tracts the society was
obliged to rely on auxiliary societies The en-
tire amount of money coming into the societys
treasury during the sixteen years from 1924 to
1870. including sales and offerings, was only
$S6, ia 81, or little $4,000 per year.
Notwithstanding the difficulties in their way,
however, the brethren in charge of the So
clety.s interests kept bravely at their work
lCr Dagg was succeeded In the presidency of
The The society by Dr. Cushman in 1928. and in
ceeded in 1885 by Dr. George B. Ide num-
Der OF the noblest men in the denomination in
Guiding DR.. j. H. Kennard and A D. Gillett
were on the beard. Every effort was made with
erature worthy of the denomination. Sometimes
the beard almost discouraged, but il still
held on.
brighter day may be said to have dawned
in 1S4O. The annual meeting was held at The
Ia abernacle Church, New York AT that meet
ing the name of the society was changed from
the Baptist General Tract Society to the
American Baptist Publication and Sunday
School Society title which still further
shortened in 1S44 to The American Bartist
Publication Society. The title oe the general
agent was changed 10 that of corresponding
secretary. a new charter secured. Dur
Reign OF Grace" Robert Halls Sermon on
Modern Infidelity," neat edition of the
Pilgrims Progress, two Sunday school
books. and number of illustrated tracts were
the one in which the society first employed
paid colporteurs
But while the new day began TO dawn n
1870 the sun slowly and behind heavy
organization the receipts from all sources were
only SIP us 05 Doctor Babcock who becanlL
president in 1912, and DR.. John NJ Peck, who
succeeded Mr.. Rhees in lS4S as corresponding