The Washington herald., 1911-02-19
NEWS OF THE CHURCHES.


Profits Of the Methodist Book Concerns
have doubled within the past ten years
There are two of these concerns, one
with headquarters in New York, the
other with the same in Cincinnati. Ten
years ago, that is, in 1900, the profits of
the two concerns amounted to s2S4. 7S9.
Last year, 1910, according TO reports pre-
sented two days ago to the book COM
mittee. the profits were S452, 2S5. These
concerns are the great publishing in
terrsts of the Methodists North, although
| it is to be remembered that the Metho-
dists North have a large number Of
churches, and communicates, in the
South. The sales of the New York con-
Germ last year amounted to $1.1 .SS5, and
of the Cincinnati concern to $1,462, 179.
The gains over the previous year, both
concerns together, amounted TO $4,000.
The New York concern has reserve
fund amounting to S754,OOo. and the Gin
cfnnati one amounting to somewhat more
than 800, 900. During the year the New
York building, in Fifth avenue, was i'm
proved at a cost of S114,ooo, on a contract
that will entail an outlay of $4,000. 1t
is still too small for the Methodist busi-
hess alone, although when IT was first
built il was criticised severely as being
too big ever to rent, much less use. The
/
in the last sixty years have amounted
to upward of s1OO,O00.O00
Methodists' Wise Business Move.
The book committee in the Methodist
Church is uniqua. 1t was among the
very first of Methodist institutions, for
it can properly be called such, dating
from 1904 1t came into existence almost
as soon as the last century did. One Of
- -
American Methodists read is wholesome
printing press for the propagation of
Methodism. 1t is one way of spreading
evangelical data
The committee has just met in annual
session and published one of the most
remarkable stories of successful business
achievement in its more than 100 years
of history. Sales of almost 500 0GO 900 worth
of literature in the last sixty years, be-
sides a good deal previous to that time.
is a record surprising that of any other
similar agency in any religion to-day, at
least any in America 1t is under this
committee that the two great book con-
Germs, one in New York and one in Gin
cinnati and 1t is to this committee that
these concerns report. Besides books, the
committee has general oversight of the
series Of Christian Advocates, wholly
unique in American Christian annals. No
other religious body has such supervised
agencies. The wisdom of their publica-
ton plan was long ago proven.
The Methodist Church divided it's con-
ferences into fifteen districts. The COM
mittee is made up of fifteen men. one
from each district. These are elected at
the General Conference meeting every
four years. Some members are minis
tiers, some laymen. The chairman is a
layman. Such commanding interests,
financial and educational, bring to the
committee some of the ablest business
men in America
Care for Aged Ministers.
Methodists not only do missionary work
through their literature and make
profit while so doing, but they also. by
the same means, take care of their aged
ministers. The profits of the concerns
are divided among what are called con-
ference claimants; that is, ministers
worn out in service are cared for. al
least in part and where il is necessary.
The amount distributed in 1900 was $4,000
and the amounts available each year in
crease as numbers of ministers, and
therefore numbers of claimants, increase
Discussion has been had for some years
about the removal OF the manufacturing
plants of the concerns, especially of the
ference recommended that the two con-
Germs, now quite distinct, should be put
under one charter. and it recommended |
that the book committee, the creature of |
the conference that is in charge of the |
concerns, procure such a charter.
1t was the understanding that the two |
manufacturing plants were to remain |
undisturbed. At the time and since these |
instructions were understood to mean /
that the present plant is to remain in /
New York. With more than half of the |
quadrennium past, the book committee
has not as yet taken steps to secure the
common charter. The manufacturing /
concerns employ large numbers of men,
especially the Western. in Cincinnati. the |
fteld and sales OF which are considerably /
larger than the Eastern.
Presbyterians at 81. Eouis.
During the past ten years there has been
marvellous uprising of churchmen ex,
pressing greater loyalty to the church and
arger dedication of time and talents TO
Christian interests A new note OF mas
,uline activity is being sounded through
but tie land. and the fact that the