K HISTORY OP THE AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, From its Origin in 1824, To its Thirty-Second Anniversary in 1856. Drawn up under the direction of the Board, BT J. NEWTON BROWN. AMERICAN BABTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 530 ARCH STREET. f\ t CONTENTS. Introduction, 9 ORIGIN OP THE SOCIETY, at Washington, D. C., 1824, 13 Original Constitution, 15 Progress of the Society in 1824, '. 19 Original Principles and Views of its Founders, ~.. 19 FIRST ANNUAL MEETING, 1825, 26 SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 1826, 28 THIRD AKNUAL MEETING, at Philadelphia, 1827 31 Baptist Tract Magazine, \. 32 Catalogue of Tracts, in 1826-7, 33 FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1828., 34 Baptist Statistics, 37 FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1829, 40 Manifold Usefulness of the Society, 42 SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1830, 45 Tracts for every Church, 47 Sabbath-Schools, 49 Death of Rev. Noah Davis, 50 SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1831, 50 Monthly Tract Distributions, 55 Monthly Tract Publications, 56 EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1832, 56 Memorable Testimonies, 58 Letter of Dr. Judson Demand for Burman Tracts, 61 NINTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1833, 62 Influence of our Tracts in Germany. Rev. J. GL Oncken, 63 The West and South West. The Aborigines, 64 Tract Magazine, etc, 66 Two Plans of Depositories. Results, 67 Obligations of the Society. Rev. D. Cameron, 68 TENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1834, 69 M134197 (8) 4 CONTENTS PASB Vindication of the Principles of the Society, 69 Work of the Year, 73 ELEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1835....... 74 Tract House Fund, 75 The Baptist Manual, 75 New Efforts Abroad. Burmah, 76 Germany. First Baptist Church at Hamburg, 76 TWELFTH ANNUAL MEEEING, 1836, 78 The Mississippi Valley Fund, 80 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETIN.G, 1837, 81 The Tract Enterprise, 82 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1838, 87 A Proposition Urged. Pengilly's Scripture Guide, 88 Baptist Record. Triennial Register, 90 Work at Home and Abroad, 90 Dr. Sears, on Germany, 94 Adjourned Meeting. Resolutions, 98 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1839, 99 Duty of the Denomination to this Cause, 102 Enlargement of the Society Proposed, 103 Resignation of the Rev. I. M. Allen, , 104 SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1840, 105 The Society's Work in Sixteen Years, 107 II. New Organization desired as early as 1835, 113 A Baptist Sunday-School Union proposed in 1839, ^ M4 Broader Plan of the Board. Appeal, 114 The Reorganization in 1840. New Name, 117 Technical Errors, 120 SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1841, 121 Want of Working Capital, 123 Weekly Baptist Record,.. 123 A Baptist Hymn Book proposed, 124 Work of Colportage. The First in America, 124 Counting the Cost of the Enterprise, 126 EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1842, 128 Plans formed, but delayed, 129 Waste of Energy, Time, and Means, 130 The Question of Life or Death, 131 NINETEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1843, 133 CONTENTS. 5 FACtl Common Mistakes as to the Society. Its great Object, 134 The Means necessary to Accomplish its Object, 135 Work of the Year, 137 New Resolutions, 138 The Circular of 1843, 140 Appendix to the Circular, 144 TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING, 144 The Psalmist, 145 Cheap Monthly Periodicals, 145 Value of Colportage, 146 Proposed Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund, 148 Matter of Fact Appeal, 149 The Weekly Record. Changes in the Constitution, 150 Encouragements, 151 The Circular of 1844. The $50,000 Fund, 152 TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING, 1845, 152 Loan of $2,400 necessary, 153 Complete Works of Andrew Fuller, , 154 Dr. Carson on Baptism, 155 Other Works of the Year, 155 Two Plans of Colportage, 156 Axuiliary Societies. Book Funds, 158 Grateful Review, 160 Astounding Facts, 160 Claims of the Society, 163 Important Principles of the Society, 166 TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 1846, 167 Howell on Communion and on the Deaconship, 168 Quarterly Baptist Record, 169 Colporteurs. New Views, 170 Colporteur Missionaries, 172 German population, 174 The Foreign Field, 177 Corresponding Secretary. Rev. T. S. Malcom, 179 Resolutions. Resignation of Rev. J. M. Peck, 181 The Ten Thousand Dollar Fund, for Gratuities, 181 Special Meeting at Brooklyn, N. Y., 182 Defect of Materials, 183 TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING, 1847, 184 Annual Report of the Board, , 185 Books Circulated. Fuller's Works, 185 Resolutious, 187 Prospects, 189 6 CONTENTS. PAGE TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEEEING, 1848, 189 Annual Report, 189 Resolutions, 190 Pengilly in French, 191 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1849, 192 Annual Report of the Board, 192 Resolutions, 193 TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1850, 194 Annual Report of the Board, 195 Appointment of an Editor, 196 Improvement in Books, 196 Removal of Depository. $25,000 Building Fund, 197 Failure of Negotiation, 197 Historical Paper, 197 Resolutions, 198 New Depository. Building Funds, 199 Annual Day of Prayer for the Society, 199 Editorial Secretary, 200 TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1851, 200 Annual Report of the Board. New Publications, 200 Ten Thousand Dollar Fund, 201 Permanent Charter. Building Fund, 202 Proceedings and Resolutions, 202 Increase of Stock, 204 Annual Report of 1852, 204 TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1852, 204 Annual Report of the Board, 205 New Publications. Bunyan's Practical Works, 205 Colporteur Missionaries. Liberal Brethren, 206 Addresses and Resolutions, 207 Collection for Mr. Oncken, 208 Bunyan's Works, 209 TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING, 1853, 209 Annual Report of the Board, 209 American Baptist Register for 1852, 210 Circulation of Books, 211 Sunday-School Department, 212 Historical Department, 213 Colporteur Department, 213 Annual Report Continued, 217 Prayer for the Editorial Secretary, 218 Special Meeting Proposed, 219 Resignation of Rev. T. S. Malcom, 219 (3 CONTENTS. 7 PAGE Choice of a Successor. Rev. Heman Lincoln, 220 Rev. William Shadrach. Resolutions, 220 American Baptist Historical Society, 221 THIRTIETH ANNUAL MEETING, 1854 223 Report of the Board, 224 Colportage the Right Arm of the Society, 226 Foreign Colportage, 227 Building Fund. Publishing Fund, 229 First Report of the Am. Baptist Historical Society, 229 Committees on the Annual Report of the Board, 230 Addresses and Annual Sermon, 230 THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING, 1855, 231 Report of the Board, 231 Amended Form of Constitution, 233 Branch Depositories, 233 Colportage in Sweden, 236 THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING, 1856, 238 General Retrospect of the Thirty-two years, 238 Retrenchment in the Publishing Department, 241 Sales, Receipts, and Disbursements, 242 Benevolent Funds Overdrawn, 242 Destitution and Gratuitous Distributions, 243 Branch Depositories. Chicago, 244 The Society a Denominational Necessity, 245 The Great Want, 247 The Present Effort. $100-,000 Fund, 247 Reasons for this Effort, 249 Agencies, 252 Testimony of Agents, 253 Colportage, 258 Colportage a Complete System of Evangelism, 260 Colportage established in Sweden, , 261 Resolutions, 265 Conclusion, 267 Advertisement, - 268 APPENDIX, 269 Constitution of the Society, 272 Historical Table,... 275 HISTORY. 1, Introduction, THE falling of an apple is said to have suggested to the mind of Sir Isaac Newton the universal law of gravi- tation. The falling of a tract from the hat of Rev. Samuel Cornelius, of Alexandria, suggested to the mind of NOAH DAVTS the idea of the Baptist General Tract Society the germ of the American Baptist Publication Society.* How * It would seem that something of the kind had occurred to the minds of others four years earlier, though unknown to Mr. Davis. The time for its accomplishment had not then come. But honor to whom honor is due. We give the following interesting extract of a letter from Mr. John S. Meehan, of Washington, D. C., to Rev. B. E. Loxley, of Phila- delphia, dated " Washington, Sept. 27, 1855. "When I resided in Philadelphia, I had charge of a class in the San- som Street Sunday-School, and almost every month had a difficulty in dealing out tracts to the children, on account of their anti-Baptist tendencies. [This was prior to 1820.] No Baptist tracts were then printed. I was the printer of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions at the time, and determined to propose the establishment of a Baptist Tract Society in Philadelphia, with the intention of making it the com- mencement of a General Society. In compliance with this design, I had two tracts set in type, as the first publications to be submitted to the society when formed. " The subject was not matured in Philadelphia, owing to the determi- (9) 10 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. that idea was unfolded, and embodied in organic form, we propose to show. A few words of preliminary statement may be necessary, in order that the facts of the case may be clearly under- stood. At that time the beginning of 1824 there was no National Tract Society in the United States ; unless that character could be assigned in a lax sense to the Methodist Book Concern in the city of New York. That great establishment, which has done so much in feeding and building up Methodism in this country, commenced its gigantic labors in It 88, when that remarkable mis- sionary system was in its infancy, which is now known nation of the Baptist Convention [in April, 1820] to found a College and Theological Seminary in Washington, and to remove the publications of the Board of Missions and the Board itself to Washington. When we arrived in Washington, I proposed to found the General Tract Society here. But it was not deemed advisable at the time to do so, as all the effective Baptist force hero was engaged energetically in advancing the prosperity of the College, and the publication of the Columbian Star, a weekly, religious newspaper, and the Latter Day Luminary, a magazine which was originated in Philadelphia in the year 1818, as the official publication of the Board of Missions under the authority of the General Convention. "Although the establishment of a Baptist Tract Society wa's not matured in Philadelphia, it was originated there in its design, and founded on the necessity existing for such an institution. The young brethren at the Theological Institution in Philadelphia, under the care of Dr. Staughton and the Rev. Mr. Chase, knew of the design, and gave it their sanction. Ultimately it was brought into being by them in the Columbian College four years after their removal to Washington, and before my connection with the Board had terminated as printer. The first tracts were printed while I had charge of the printing estab- lishment under the Board of Missions. " One year before we left Philadelphia, [1819] I originated the * BAP- TIST ALMANAC.' This was the first religious Almanac ever published, I believe. Upwards of 3000 copies of it [for the year 1820] were printed, and they sold very rapidly. The whole edition was sold. The second number of it for the year 1821, was in type. It was taken with our printing office to Washington, but was not published." INTRODUCTION. 1 1 as the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States. Besides the Book Concern, there was in the beginning of 1824 in the city of New York, another institution, called the Protestant Episcopal Tract Society, established as early as 1810. In Boston there was also the Evangelical Tract Society, dating from 1811, originated and managed chiefly by Baptists, among whom ENSIGN LINCOLN was dis- tinguished for his zeal and activity. There was also in the same city a Congregational Institution, founded in 1814, at Andover, as the New England Tract Society, but reorganized in 1823, at Boston, under the more ambitious name of the "American Tract Society;" but, like all the others which we have named, (the Evangelical Tract Society excepted,) its operations were both local and de- nominational in character. Its auxiliaries were limited to the narrow field of New England, and to the Congrega- tional Churches. It had indeed absorbed into itself when it assumed its national title, the "Connecticut Religious Tract Society," formed in 1807, and the "Vermont Religious Tract Society," formed in 1808, but- was still confined in fact to a very narrow range, though accomplishing much good among its own denomination in New England. Such was the provision made by the Press to meet the religious wants of this country in the beginning of the year 1824. The utility of Tracts as a medium of religious instruction had been made familiar by experience ever since the .origin of the " London Religious Tract Society," in 1799, of which, under God, GEORGE BURDER and JOSEPH HUGHES may be considered the principal founders. It was generally admitted that no other mode of disseminating truth presented equal facilities, or required so small an outlay for the amount of usefulness accomplished. It was seen that the United States opened a vast field, already whitening for the harvest accessible at all points with a 12 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. population of more than ten millions of sonls and rapidly increasing under the peaceful administration of Mr. Monroe, then President of the Union. The preaching of the Gospel was limited greatly by the want of ministers of the Gospel ; by the scattered condition of a large portion of the people, and by the indifference of multitudes to the ordinary ser- vices of the sanctuary.* The circulation of Bibles, to which the formation of the American Bible Society in 1816 had given a powerful impulse, was necessarily limited by the bulk and cost of the precious volume ; but Tracts by their cheapness, their simplicity, point, variety and brevity, were seen to be adapted to an unlimited circulation reaching the most secluded dwelling, arresting the most careless traveler by land or sea, with words of warning and of salvation and acting as pioneers both to the missionary and the Bible. * We copy the following statement of the Baptist churches at this time from the First Annual Report, presented in Feb. 28, 1825. " According to the table of Associations published by the Baptist Board of Missions, there are in the United States. 3594 Baptist churches, containing about 225,000 members. The number of ministers is esti- mated at 2219. There are then 1375 churches without settled pastors. These churches may be computed to contain 85,000 members. It would be within the truth, to fix the number of persons who by family ties and other circumstances are attracted to the Baptist congregations, at twice that of the members. This estimate presents a total of 255,000 persons, who are deprived of regular religious instruction. Many of theso churches have no stated preaching. The Sabbath is not hallowed by the service of the house of God. The ordinances of the Gospel are seldom enjoyed." These statistics include Anti-Mission and Seventh Day Baptists, who could not together bo estimated at less than 75,000. The former class, happily, does not increase, and is now no larger than it was then. Do- ducting this, it will be seen that there were only about 150,000 regular Baptist communicants in 1824 'In 1854, they had increased to 842,000. ITS ORIGIN AT WA9H7tfG*ON;" 2. Its Origin at Washington, D. C. The following letter from GEORGE WOOD, Esq., of Wash- ington, D. C., the first General Agent of the Baptist General Tract Society, gives the facts of its origin and early history, in an original and authentic form. " Washington, March 25th, 1853. " Rev. J. Newton Brown, " Dear Bro. : I have received yours of the 10th inst., requesting me to give you my recollections of the forma- tion and early history of the Baptist General Tract Society. I have delayed to reply until I could make such examina- tion as would enable me to put down the dates with all accuracy. This I am now able to do, and I give you my recollections with pleasure. "At the time of the organization of this Society, the Columbian College was in full operation. Among the students in the senior class was my much loved friend James D. Knowles, who then edited the Columbian Star, a weekly paper, with signal ability and success. This paper was printed at the Columbian office in E street, at that time, next my residence. Mr. Knowles was, from neces- sity, much of his time in the city, and made my house his home. His ' chum' at his entrance into the college was the Rev. NOAH DAVIS, of Salisbury, Maryland. Davis left the college without graduating, and was ordained at Salisbury on the 21st of December, 1823. "In the February following, Mr. Knowles received a letter from Mr. Davis, of which the following is an extract : " ' I have been thinking for some time past how a Tract Society can be got up in Washington, which shall hold the same place among the Baptists, that the American 2 14 .AJMLERTGAN ; BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. IVact 'Society* does among the Congregationalists. I feel very much the necessity of having Tracts to scatter in the waste places. It is a plan of doing good but little known among Baptists. No place is more suitable for such a society, &c.' "This was a matter of much conversation with Mr. Knowles and myself. It was seen that the agent of the society must bear the weight of it ; and of all our circle there was no one but myself that was not already burdened by duties to the College, to the Board of Missions, to the Education Society ; for in these days every thing cen- tered in Washington. If I would agree to be the agent, then Mr. Knowles said he would push the matter, through the columns of the Star and so it rested for a week or more. My health was very wretched at the time, being a confirmed dyspeptic, occasioned by my office life in Wash- ington ; but I was prevailed upon to consent. It seemed too great a matter to be delayed for want of any aid I could tender. "Accordingly on the 21st of February, 1824, the fol- lowing notice appeared in the Star : *** Those persons who are disposed to assist in form- ing a Baptist General Tract Society in this city, are re- quested to meet at the house of Mr. George Wood, on Wednesday evening, (20$ inst.) at f o'clock. " A meeting was held, pursuant to notice, which was pre- sided over by the Rev. Dr. Wm. Staughton, President of the Columbian College. The constitution which had been drafted by Mr. Knowles, was offered, amended, and * Then in Boston not the truly national institution afterwards formed in New York. ITS ORIGIN AT WASHINGTON. 15 adopted,* and the following officers were chosen for the year ensuing. I give the names, that you may see who were the active members at that day in Washington. * This original Constitution is too important as a matter of history and reference to be omitted. We insert it here. CONSTITUTION OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL TRACT SOCIETY. (Feb. 20th, 1824.) ART. I. The name of this Society shall be "The Baptist General Tract Society." Its sole object shall be to disseminate evangelical truth, and to inculcate sound morals, by the distribution of tracts. ART. II. Any person may become a member of this Society, by paying the sum of one dollar annually. The payment of ten dollars at one time, shall constitute a person a member for life. ART. III. There shall be an annual meeting of the Society on the last Wednesday in February, when the following officers shall be chosen by ballot, viz.: A President, Vice-President, Agent, Recording Secre- tary, Treasurer, and a Board of Directors, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Agent, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall be Directors in consequence of their office; and seven members of the Society. Five Directors shall constitute a quorum for business. The Board shall have power to supply any vacancy that may occur in its own body. ART. IV. The Directors shall superintend the publication and distri- bution of such tracts as they shall approve ; the appointment of subor- dinate agents; the establishment of depositories; the formation of aux- iliary societies, &c. They shall hold frequent meetings, under such regulations as they may adopt, in conformity with the general provisions of the Constitution. They shall appoint the place and the hour for the annual meeting of the Society; and may, if they think proper, make arrangements for an annual sermon, or public addresses, and a collection for the benefit of the Society. The Directors and the Treasurer shall make an annual report of their proceedings. ART. V. The Agent shall conduct the correspondence of the Society, and shall carry into effect the measures adopted by the Board of Directors. ART. VI. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the proceed- ings of the Board of Directors, and of the Society. He shall receive all moneys, keep a record of them, and pay them over to the Treasurer. ART. VII. Every member shall be entitled to receive three fourths of the amount of his subscription in tracts, at cost. Auxiliary societies shall be entitled to the same privilege. 16 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. Rev. Obadiah B. Brown, President. Rev. John Bryce, Vice President. Mr. George Wood, Agent. Mr. Isaac G. Hutton, Recording Secretary. Rev. Luther Rice, Treasurer. Directors. Rev. Wm. Staughton, Rev. S. W. Lynd, Joseph Gibson, Joseph Shaw, Enoch Reynolds, Reuben Johnson, and James D. Knowles. v "As soon as this Society was made public through the columns of the Star, it was every where welcomed by our brethren, and I at once found myself in the midst of a wide-spread correspondence. Among those who were its first and best friends, stand the names of Rev. ABNER W. CLOPTON, of Charlotte, Yirginia ; Rev. JESSE MERCER, of Powelton, Georgia ; Rev. ELI BALL, of Lynchburg, Ya. ; Rev. C. D. MALLORY, of Columbia, S. C., by whose agencies auxiliary societies were formed ; and on the llth of December, 1824, 'Mr. Knowles, in an article concerning the Society, says ' The Tract Society is ad- vancing with great zeal and success in the fulfillment of its duties. Since its organization in February last it has printed nineteen tracts, amounting to one hundred arid fifty-six pages, and 86,500 copies, 1 (of which the list is given) and adds ' It is designed to employ active agents, as soon as possible, to assist in forming auxiliary societies to procure subscriptions, life memberships, &c. , &c. y " It was not long before the unsuitableness of Washing- ton as the seat of publication began to be felt. Our first ART. VIII. Any person, by paying twenty-five dollars at ono time, shall be a Director for life. The Presidents of auxiliary societies shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. ART. IX. The President shall call a meeting of the society, at the re- quest of a majority of the Board of Directors. ART. X. Any alterations of this Constitution may be made at an annual meeting by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. ITS ORIGIN AT WASHINGTON. 17 tracts were not stereotyped, and our editions were soon exhausted. So it was determined to stereotype all future Tracts, as well as those already printed. To do this, the selected Tracts must needs be sent to Philadelphia ; and after the Tracts were printed in Washington, nearly one half of all published were sent to Philadelphia to be shipped to Charleston, Savannah, and elsewhere. And here I beg to acknowledge the services of Mr. Simmes, apothecary, in Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, by whom all boxes and bundles were received and forwarded without compensation ; for all services rendered to the Society in those days were without compensation. I have never seen Mr. Simmes, nor do I know if he be living now. " It was the aim and ambition of our great and gifted LUTHER RICE to make Washington a Baptist centre of influence. And if matters of money, of which he knew nothing, had been under the control of men of business talent, who had been taught in the science of book-keeping, (which no man can acquire without practice after thirty years of age,) then the foresight and far-reaching sagacity of brother Luther would ere this have been demonstrated in the moral influence we as Baptists would exert over a wide- spread union of States. Every body in and near our city went for centralization, and our little Baptist General Tract Society, when organized, became part and parcel of brother Luther's grand scheme ; and no embarrassments in the successful working out of the plans and purposes of this Tract Society in the city of Washington was to be regarded. To talk of removing this Society to Philadel- phia, was a sort of treason, and I was the first to talk of it ; for I was the first to feel the necessity of its removal. It seemed to me not only inexpedient to retain it here, but a great wrong done to the cause, to restrain the usefulness of a Society so admirably adapted to a wide sphere of ever- increasing usefulness. 2* 18 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. "At the Annual Meeting held on the 28th of February, 1 825, I made an earnest effort to induce the members in Washington to agree to a removal. I made a full and fair representation of all the trouble I had had in sending tracts away ; the delay for want of a packet vessel and of lines of transportation ; and the discontent existing among the auxiliary societies at the slowness of publication and of distribution ; but all these statements were unavailing. It was with great reluctance I consented to act as Agent for the year ensuing. In this year (1825), the affairs of the College became more and more embarrassed, and loss of confidence in the College affairs, of which Luther Rice was Agent and Treasurer, extended to the concerns of the Bap- tist General Tract Society. My position as Agent became more and more painful. I was weary of writing letters of explanation and apology. "At the close of the second year, Rev. NOAH DAVIS, who was a Mr. Greatheart in his day, deeply realizing the necessity of a change of locality, came up to see me, and offered to assume the office of Agent, if the Society was removed to Philadelphia ; for our brethren there had been consulted and were ready to accept all its duties and re- sponsibilities. A meeting was held at my house, and the question was presented to the Officers and Directors present; but though the monied affairs of the College were dark and desperate, and fast approaching the SLOUGH OF DESPOND into which they were soon after plunged (but out of which they are now happily emerging), Luther Rice, with his lion-hearted courage and confidence in the greatness of his strength, would not consent to the removal. As a last resort, hoping to compel a change, I resigned the Agency, which had been only fruitful, to me, of toil and suffering. The office of Agent was taken by Rev. BARON STOW (now of Boston), who held it for a short time. But the end in Washington was at hand. It was seen that there could be PROGEESS, ORIGINAL PRINCIPLES, ETC. 19 no postponement of the question removal or annihilation and the earnest entreaties of NOAH DAVIS were at last successful. "With regard to the history of the Society from the time of its removal to Philadelphia, you need no aid from me in remembering its developments. It has far exceeded my hopes. Its operations have been growing wider and wider, and taking a loftier range. I rejoice in all I hear of of its success, and hope the circle of its usefulness will only be bounded by the wants of mankind. " With great regard, yours, "GEORGE WOOD." 3. Progress in 1824. Original Principles, and Views of its Founders, The above communication from the first Agent of the Society is invaluable, as giving an authentic account of the origin, and progress of the Society, for the first three years, together with the causes and means of its removal from Washington to Philadelphia, late in the Fall of 1826. But it is necessary to go beyond this general view in a history like this, and enter into the actual details and spirit of the times. Happily we are able to do this from published records. The first Tract issued by the Baptist General Tract So- ciety in 1824, contained its Constitution, and the names of its Original Officers. As we have seen, Rev. 0. B. Brown was President; Mr. George Wood, Agent; Rev. Luther Rice, Treasurer ; and Rev. Dr. Staughton, President of the Board of Directors. It also contained a Circular addressed by the Board to the public, setting forth its objects, alms, and claims, from which we extract the following : " The Baptists of this country have hitherto had little 20 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. agency in the distribution of Tracts. The principal reason is probably to be found in the absence of a General Society, as a common centre of action. Men, in all circumstances, are less interested, and co-operate less readily, in the measures of those with whom they have remote connections, than of those to whom they are united by common princi- ples and kindred feelings. This is a law of our nature ; and hence were nothing to be apprehended from variance and distrust, it would still be advisable to leave the several denominations of Christians to concert and execute their own schemes for the advancement of their common faith. Particular occasions may call for unitefl action. Bible Societies, which aim merely to multiply copies of the great charter of our religion, have a special claim on the cordial aid of all Christians. But most of the benevolent enter- prises of the age, have been originated and sustained by individual sects, which have selected for themselves a par- ticular station in the field, and have rallied at that point all their forces. A much greater number of individuals have thus been brought to act, in the numerous offices of trust and toil, necessary to carry forward these enterprises. A greater extent of influence is consequently at work. The partialities, and even the sectarian feelings, which operate on the minds of most men, are thus made tributary to the common object. Individuals act mutually on each other, and a chain of communication is formed, conveying the animating impulse to every family and every bosom. " The preceding remarks are particularly applicable to Tract Societies. Tracts are either summary expositions of Christian doctrines and precepts, or narratives of the effects of Christian principles. They are compiled by men, and consequently receive some shape and color from the minds of their authors. The true Christian is naturally desirous to be assured, before he circulates a Tract, that it contains the truths that are taught in the Scriptures. The interest, PROGRESS, ORIGINAL PRINCIPLES, ETC. 21 therefore, which he will take in the operations of a Tract Society, is proportional to the confidence he feels in the correctness of the sentiments of its Managers. It is scarcely necessary to state the inference, that the several denomina- tions of Christians cannot be expected to engage vigorously in the distribution of Tracts, until they form Societies and print Tracts for themselves. These are the leading motives for the formation of the 'Baptist General Tract Society.' Experience had shown the necessity of an association of this kind. A general and harmonious system of operations cannot be formed, without a central Society. Therefore the Board of Directors confidently believe that this Society will secure the good wishes and receive the co-operation of their brethren. "The object of the Society, as stated in its Constitution, is ' to disseminate evangelical truth, and to inculcate sound morals, by the distribution of Tracts.' The Tracts will, for the most part, be confined to practical subjects ; but the Directors will feel themselves at liberty to advocate, occa- sionally, with Christian candor, the doctrines and forms which Baptists believe and practice. " The Board appeal with confidence to the pious zeal of their brethren, to aid them in their efforts to fulfill the duties of the Society. They earnestly invite them to form auxiliary Societies, to make donations to the funds, to become Life Members, and in any other way to lend their assistance." At the same time the following Resolutions were passed and published by the Board of Directors : " Resolved, That any member of the Society, or of its auxiliaries, may recommend to the Board Tracts for publi- cation, which, if approved by the Publishing Committee, shall be printed by the Society. " Resolved, That the members of the Society, and of its auxiliaries, as well as other persons, be requested to com- 22 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. municate to the Board, through the several Agents, or other- wise, any well authenticated instances of the beneficial effects of Tracts, to be published in the Reports of the Society." The Agent, Mr. GEORGE WOOD, also issued a circular to the same effect, soliciting general co-operation in its design, and inviting active correspondence. The pamphlet (Tract No. 1) containing the above ex- tracts, Resolutions and Circular, was closed by an Appen- dix, showing by various examples the usefulness of Tracts. Some of the suggestions need to be repeated, now that our Society has more than two hundred different Tracts on its Catalogue. " Their effects have been manifested," it says, " in the conversion of sinners to the faith of the Gospel ; the reformation of the vicious ; and the enlightening of th'e ignorant. " Sabbath Schools are particularly calculated to give cir- culation to Tracts. These may be distributed as rewards to the Scholars, and thus they will probably be read by the Scholars themselves, and by their parents. "Domestic Missionaries can distribute Tracts in their progress, and thus convey instruction to those whom they cannot personally visit, and give a deeper impression to the truths which they preach. "Destitute Churches may very profitably be supplied with Tracts. Instruction and comfort may thus be obtained, where the word of life is not regularly preached. " Ministers of the Gospel have frequent opportunities to disperse Tracts under favorable circumstances. In their journeys and pastoral visits, they never should be unpro- vided with suitable tracts. " Every individual has daily opportunities to distribute Tracts. If every one should carry a few tracts with him constantly, and give them to persons likely to profit by them, it is impossible to calculate the benefit which might PROGRESS, ORIGINAL PRINCIPLES, ETC. 23 result. The Bible is but a collection of Tracts, divinely inspired, but written by different men, and in different ages and countries. "The infidels of France, during the Revolution, published their doctrines in the form of Tracts, for the purpose of extensive circulation. Christians adopted the same expe- dient, and incalculable good has been the consequence. The London Religious Tract Society was established in 1799. It has published (in twenty-five years) more than 50,000,000 of Tracts. The American Tract Society (of Boston) more than 3,000,000 of Tracts (in ten years) since 1814. Other Societies in this country about 2,000,000 more." From the same pamphlet we quote a single short para- graph more, on constituting ministers and others life-mem- bers. "The sum of ten dollars, is sufficient to constitute a person a member for life. It is customary for the members of congregations, and particularly the ladies, to make their ministers members for life. It is a graceful compliment, which costs little, and is an essential aid to the Society. If one or two spirited individuals in a congregation would use a little exertion, the small sum required could, in most cases, be easily obtained." In reviewing historically, at this distance of time, the above statement of the principles on which the Baptist Gene- ral Tract Society was founded in 1824, we may profitably compare it with the views put forth by Baptist brethren in Great Britain, in their more recent organization for the same end. We quote from the "First Annual Report of the Baptist Tract Society," London, 1842. "Dear brethren, the design with which this Society has been formed, is to assist in publishing the Gospel, to aid in proclaiming the glad tidings, that 'he who believeth and is baptized shall be saved,' and the solemn warning, that 24 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 'he who believeth not shall be condemned,' with the design to teach its doctrines, precepts, and ordinances, in that sim- plicity and purity, without addition or diminution, severance or change. Those who founded it were guided as to its con- stitution by the views they entertain as Calvinistic and strict (communion) Baptists. Convinced that their senti- ments are scriptural, and that no part of Scripture ought to be kept back, they felt it a duty to provide for their promulgation. They were far from wishing to fetter the consciences of others, but felt it was due to their own, thus to act. There was no Society for the publication of Tracts in which these sentiments could be fully expressed; and while they rejoice in the good effected by other agencies, they felt that the systematic publication of our sentiments in such a form was too important a means of usefulness to be longer neglected. "They confidently hope, that, through the blessing of God, this Society will be useful both to our own body, and beyond it. Beyond our body there are reasons for the for- mation of such a society, in the importance of which, every Baptist will concur. In the churches of Rome and Eng- land, infant baptism is declared to regenerate and save, and thus millions around us, dead in trespasses and sins, are constantly deluded to their destruction. From those who are thus deluded, ministers of the gospel are ordained, most of whom, depending on that sacramental efficacy which this rite first taught them, teach and enforce it as the only certain way to life, and blinded themselves, perish with the blind they lead. Among Dissenters, it is combined with the doctrine of hereditary holiness ; of participation in the blessings of the new covenant by parentage instead of faith ; with them, as with the Church of England, it gives to in* fants and the unregenerate, a standing in the Church of the Saints of the Most High, and divides with the world the visible kingdom of God's dear Son. PROGRESS, ORIGINAL PRINCIPLES, ETC. 25 "Nor is it easy to calculate the amount of support which practice affords to the whole of the superstitions of the Church of Rome. Certain it is that to this practice that Church continually appeals in proof, that even Protestants do not make the Bible, and the Bible only, their religion. Were but this ' pillar of popery' destroyed, the fabric istelf would probably totter to its fall. We entreat those of our brethren who do not concur with us on the subject of com- munion, to unite with us in endeavoring to destroy this wide-spread evil. Is it not by the truth as well as by the power of God that it will be finally accomplished ? With the prayer that this Society, in all its measures, may be blessed to glorify God, to show forth the greatness of his wisdom, and the riches of his grace, it is now submitted, dear brethren, to your approval, co-operation, and sup- port." " The object of this Society," adds the Committee in its Address, "like that of the ' Religious Tract Society,' is to disseminate the ' pure truth' of God's holy word, but more especially those parts of it on which the constitution of the latter society precludes it from entering. The rules of the ' Religious Tract Society' restrict its operations to subjects on which Protestants agree ; leaving it to each denomina- tion to promote by its own separate instrumentality, what- ever on these points it believes to be the truth as it is in Jesus. To supply this supplemental agency, as it respects our own denomination, is the object of the 'Baptist Tract Society. ' Every word of God is pure, and were the sen- timents which distinguish us much less important than we believe them to be, love and duty to our Redeemer would still oblige us to endeavor their universal diffusion." It is gratifying thus to find the convictions which were uttered by the founders of the 'Baptist General Tract So- ciety' in 1824, so fully responded to, both in word and deed, almost twenty years later, across the broad Atlantic. 3 26 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. England indeed, gave us the glorious example of religious Tract Societies, built on the basis of our common faith, and binding different denominations of Christians in the bond of brotherly concord ; but denominational Tract So- cieties, seeking to carry out the Great Commission of Christ as we understand it in " all things whatsoever," are the native products of the free American mind, con- science, and heart. They can become sectarian, only when they "make void the commandments of God," by a blind zeal, in imposing upon unenlightened consciences the tradi- tions of men. If some denominational concerns of this sort are justly liable to such a charge in the sight of the Great Judge, let us see to it carefully that we secure the full benefit of such an institution, free from corruption and abuse. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." 4. First Annual Meeting, 1825. The Baptist General Tract Society held its first annual meeting in the city of Washington, Feb. 28, 1825. The first Annual Report of the Board of Directors was pre- pared and read on that occasion, by James D. Knowles, then Editor of the Columbian Star. It was approved and accepted for publication. On motion of Rev. Luther Rice, seconded by Rev. Dr. Staughton, it was resolved that the thanks of the Society be presented to the Auxiliary So- cieties, and to State Conventions, Associations, and Churches, as well as to all individuals, who have recom- mended and otherwise assisted its objects. Brief addresses were made by the Rev. Messrs. Lynd, Rice, and Staughton, by Mr. Baron Stow, and by Dr. James M. Staughton. Rev. 0. B. Brown was again chosen President, Rev. Samuel Cornelius, Vice President, George Wood, Agent, and Rev. Luther Rice Treasurer for the ensuing year. It FIRST ANNUAL MEETIXG. 27 appears from the Report, that the Society during the first year of its existence, printed 85,500 copies of 19 Tracts; established 10 central Depositories, and 38 Auxiliary So- cieties. Receipts, $373.80; Expenditures, $582.44. The sums due from the Depositories, together with stock on hand, amounted to $308.64, leaving a balance in favor of the So- ciety of $100. Twenty-five gentlemen had engaged to act as volunteer Agents. The Tracts were every where well received, and numerous letters addressed to the Officers of the Society, testified in earnest and emphatic language, the wants of the community, and the fitness of Tracts to supply them. Few combinations of men for benevolent exertion, it was thought, had a stronger hold on the public favor. "Not the least advantage of Tracts," says the Annual Report, "is that they enable every man to become a preacher of righteousness. The traveler, by distributing them along his road, may gladden many a solitary place. Timely advice, and effectual reproof, are often administered by silently presenting a Tract, where open expostulation would be received with resentment or derision. "But the Directors wish to keep distinctly in view that this is a Baptist Tract Society, established with a special reference to the condition of the Baptist denomination. They entertain a fraternal regard for other Tract Societies, and a respectful sense of their useful services. They con- sider this Society not in any respect as a rival, but as a zealous coadjutor, occupying a station which no other So- ciety can so properly and so successfully fill. "There is another consideration, which will not be deemed unimportant by any Baptist who partakes of the spirit of the age. It is desirable to produce among the members of the denomination, a closer union than has yet subsisted. While they have been united in faith and fel- lowship by the bond of peace, supplied by their attachment 28 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. to 'one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,' the vast extent of the country, and the independent form of our church government, have operated to estrange them as individuals. Differences of opinion too, in reference to various points of Christian obligation and policy, have aided to present serious obstacles to all measures of common concern. The leading designs which a portion of the denomination are laboring to effect, (Sabbath School, Bible, and Missionary efforts,) are regarded by other portions with indifference or disapprobation. It becomes, therefore, a matter of great moment to devise some project which may, as far as possible, kindle the zeal, animate the prayers, and prompt the united efforts of the denomination. The Directors are convinced that the General Tract Society presents an ob- ject which is fitted more than any other at the present time, to produce this desirable unanimity of counsels and exertions. No opposition has yet been manifested, and none is apprehended." 5. Second Annual Meeting, 1826. At the Second Annual Meeting of the Society in Wash- ington, January 4th, 1826, it was resolved, "That the Society entertain a high sense of the indefatigable zeal with which the Board of Directors have conducted the operations of the body during the past year." After addresses from Messrs Lynd, Cornelius, and Stow, the same Directors and Officers as before were re-elected, with a single exception Mr. Enoch Reynolds taking the place of Mr. Rice as Treasurer. The Annual Report says, "While we have been careful to preserve the credit of the Society, and have limited the circulation of Tracts to the extent of our present means, we have been iutent upon multiplying the number of our SECOND ANNUAL MEETING. 29 Auxiliaries soliciting life-memberships engaging every- where the co-operation of the benevolent, and thus em- bodying as far as practicable the efforts of our denomina- tion." The receipts for the year were $636.53, besides $509.43, in dues and stock total, $1,145.96, nearly double those of the first year. Tracts printed, 480,000 pages; distributed, 587,764 pages; on hand, 51,564 pages. After paying all expenses, the balance in favor of the Society was $310.10; adding the value of the stereotype plates, it amounted to $401.82, The Auxiliaries amounted to 30; Life-memberships, 5 ; Central Depositories, 10. In summing up these results, the Directors say, " We have thus been enabled to accomplish little, indeed, compared with our wishes little compared with the wants of our growing denomination but enough to convince us of the perfect feasibility of our enterprise enough to encourage and sustain us in making still greater efforts for its com- pletion. " The responsibility of selecting and approving Tracts is great. In performing this part of their duty, the Direc- tors have endeavored, as far as possible, to obtain such as contain the leading truths of the Gospel ; such, for instance, as the depraved and lost condition of men by nature the absolute necessity of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus, as the all-sufficient and only Saviour. They have also felt it due to themselves, to their brethren, and to truth, to publish some Tracts, containing simple and candid expositions of their peculiar views, together with the reasons on which they are founded. We would not publish a syllable which could offend any ; unless indeed, it should offend others that we do not think and feel as they do." On the usefulness of Tracts, they present the following views, which cannot be too deeply pondered now. " Cast your eye over the wide fields of the South and the West. They are already white for the harvest, but 3* 30 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. where are the laborers ? Alas, many of our churches are destitute of pastors, enjoying only occasional opportunities of hearing the word of life dispensed ; and many extensive portions of our Southern, and especially of our "Western States, are seldom visited by preachers of the Gospel. We cannot send them preachers, nor are they able to support them if sent. But can we not send them these silent, though efficient messengers of truth, which cost but little, and consume nothing ? Can we not, at least, make a more vigorous and united effort, than we have yet done, to effect this desirable object ? We have thus far been able to sup- ply but few of the many and pressing demands for Tracts. Our brethren, who are engaged in preaching the unsearcha- ble riches of Christ in the more settled sections of our country, would avail themselves of the aid of Tracts. They would frequently gain much by sending a Tract before them to announce their coming by leaving one behind as a witness for them. Standing, as they often do, :md overlooking a region of country beautiful in its aspect, fertile in its soil, salubrious in its climate, and becoming rapidly peopled ; but in all its beauty and fertility, and salubriousness, destitute of the means of religious instruc- tion, they solicit our aid. They cannot raise their voices so as to be heard from hill to hill, and awaken the attention of the husbandmen in the recesses of the valley ; but they might despatch these faithful heralds, and cover the hills and the valleys with truth and blessing. " It must be obvious to all, that comparatively little can be accomplished unless the funds of the Society can be augmented. Must then the want of funds remain an in- superable obstacle to the circulation of Baptist Tracts in the United States? We trust not. The zealous co-opera- tion of so many of our most influential lnvthrm already m I Mod the cheering proM-wo of seventy-one Auxiliavir< and, above all, the promises of Him who turns the hearts THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. 31 of the children of men as the rivers of water are turned, forbid the thought. " Finally, brethren, let all who are enlisted to promote the objects of our Society, remember that they are engaged in a sacred work ; a work calculated alike to cherish and invigorate the personal piety of those employed in it, and to extend the Christian's Faith and the Christian's Hope to thousands, who might, otherwise, never experience their consolation and power. 6. Third Annual Meeting, 1827. For the reasons already stated in the communication of Mr. Wood, the seat of the Society's operations was trans- ferred from Washington to Philadelphia, in the year 1826. The Depository was first opened under the care of Mr. David Clark, at No. 118 North Fourth Street. The Third Annual meeting of the Society was held in Philadelphia, at the Sansom Street Church, January 3, 182t. After the reading of the Annual Report, addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. Brantly, Malcom, and Cush- man. The services awakened a lively interest among the Baptists of "the City of Brotherly Love." The Society received a cordial welcome to its new home, and the brethren taking charge of its concerns manifested con- siderable spirit. The new Board of Directors chosen con- sisted of the Rev. John L. Dagg, President; Rev. Wm. T. Brantly, Vice President; Noah Davis, Agent; Philologus Loud, Secretary; Samuel Huggens, Treasurer; Rev. Elisha Cushman, T. J. Kitts, William E. Ashton, Joseph Maylin, John Hewson, Howard Malcom, David Jones, Joseph H. Kennard, with Messrs. John Davis, William Dorman, William S. Hanscll, S. W. Sexton, George McCloud, George Hacker, Krusmud Thomas, Directors. 32 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. The Annual Report says the whole number of Tracts printed since the organization of the Society amounts to 221,100, making 2,064,000 pages. About 160,000 copies were printed in 1826 more than in 1825. Members for Life, 46 ; Auxiliary Societies, 88. The treasury was desti- tute, and an appeal was made for funds to carry on and extend the benevolent operations of the Society. Rev. Messrs. Brantly, Dagg, Cushman, Kitts, and Ashton, were appointed a Committee of Publication to select and recom- mend Tracts to the Board. The American Tract Society, early in this year, made a proposition to this Society that it should become an Aux- iliary to that body. The Board of Directors considered the proposition ; but decided that they " had no power under the present Constitution to become Auxiliary." At the formation of the Philadelphia City Tract Society, however, about the same time, Rev. Messrs. Dagg, Brantly, and Ashton, were chosen among the Managers of the new Society, and cheerfully accepted the service, while holding the highest positions of responsibility in their own. Nor was there any inconsistency in this ; as the American So- ciety's Tracts were free from any thing that could offend the most conscientious Baptist, and were therefore deemed worthy of universal circulation. 7. Baptist Tract Magazine, 1827, In the month of July of this year (182T), the Society began the issue at their first Depository, No. 118 North Fourth St., of the BAPTIST TRACT MAGAZINE, a monthly periodical, at 50 cents a year. Each number contained 24 pages, duodecimo. It was under the editorial care of the General Agent, NOAH DAVIS ; and formed aii important CATALOGUE OF TRACTS. 33 means of communication with the public. It embraced also useful selections, anecdotes, and annual denominational statistics. 8. Catalogue of Tracts in 1826. Issued at Washington. Thirty-one Tracts only had been published while the seat of the Society was in Washington ; although ten more had been ordered and stereotyped, which were first issued in Philadelphia. The following is the CATALOGUE OF TRACTS IN 1826. Pages. 1. Memorable Thoughts and Holy Resolutions, .... 12 2. Dwight on Drunkenness, 16 3. The Great Error Detected, or Self-righteousness Disclaimed, 12 4. Life of Mrs. Hamilton, 12 5. The Christian's Directory, 8 6. The Great Question Answered, ...... 16 7. The Scriptures, 8 8. The One Thing Needful, 4 9. Man as he is and must be, .*..... 16 10. The Grace of God and a Holy Life, 8 11. The Brazen Serpent, 4 12. The Shepherd and his Flock, ...... 20 13. The Twins, 4 14. Church Discipline, 12 15. Christian Fidelity to Friends, 8 16. Prayer for Divine Influence, 8 17. Inconsistencies of Conduct, 4 18. Menno's Departure from Popery, 12 19. The Earl of Rochester, 4 20. Practical Uses of Baptism, 12 21. The Surest Way of Thriving, 8 22. Krishna Pal, the First Hindoo Convert, .... 16 23. The Contented Villager, . . g 24. Efficacy of the Scriptures, 4 25. An Infidel Convinced by a Child, 8 26. Terms of Communion, ... 12 34 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 27. The Dairyman's Daughter, 24 28. Village in the Mountains, ....... 20 29. The Swearer's Prayer, 4 30. Death of an Infidel, 8 31. Letter from a Nobleman, 4 32. History of John Wildon, 12 33. Little Martha, 8 34. Fragments of Philip Henry, ...... 4 35. Susan the Laundry Maid, 12 36. The Progress of Sin, 8 37. Poor Joseph, 4 38. Conversion of a Universalist, ...... 8 39. James Covey, the Sailor, .'.., 4 40. The Bible the Test of Truth, 12 41. Divine Songs for Children, 24 9. Fourth Annual Meeting, 1828. The Society held its Fourth Annual Meeting with the New Market Street Church, January 2d, 1828. Dr. Brantly read the Annual Report of the Board of Directors, which was followed by Addresses from Messrs. J. L. Dagg, D. Jones, W. T. Brantly, E. Cushman, and Noah Davis. The Report is full of encouragement. " We rejoice," say the Directors, " that our hearts were inclined to undertake this good work, and that the successful issue of the under- taking as thus far conducted, has even surpassed our largest anticipations. We have reason to be thankful that the Lord has rendered our distant friends and brethren so well affected towards our imperfect endeavors, and that we have been so liberally seconded by their contributions ; and may we not also believe by their prayers ? To ourselves we can propose no higher remuneration for the sacrifices incident to this work, than the good feelings, the moral edification, the augmented graces, the reclaimed spirits, and the growing prosperity of the church, which must all stand forth as the fruits of efforts directed, we trust, to the glory of God." FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING. 35 "We are not ashamed to say for ourselves and our brethren, that whilst we feel unaffected respect and good- will towards those institutions which are designed to em- body and harmonize the powers of several denominations, we are bound by the feeling of honorable consistency to cherish a warmer approbation of those plans, which stand responsible for the protection of our peculiarities as a denomination. In this view we are certainly willing to concede to others what we claim for ourselves. We shall never think the less of any class of Christians, for watching with becoming circumspection the grounds upon which they stand as a separate section of the great whole. Let such a course be pursued with the meekness of wisdom, and with the charity which the Gospel enjoins, and we shall see all denominations of Christians, not only loving one another with the affection of a common brotherhood, but a greater amount of good will be brought into the common treasury of the Lord." To show how practically the Churches appreciated the motives and doings of the Board, and the establishment of the Society in its new location, it is only necessary to state that the sum received into the treasury during the year was $3168.04 ; four times the amount received during the preceding year, and nearly twice the whole amount received during the first three years of the Society's exist- ence. This fact was regarded justly as " a most animating demonstration." The Society had issued, " through the various channels of Depositories, Auxiliaries, life and annual subscribers, Sab- bath-schools, sales, and gratuitous distributions," 2,619,036 pages of Tracts. It had doubled the number of its stereo- type plates making in all 432 pages ; and proposed adding in time to come, at least 300 pages annually. The Tracts from No. 1 to 29, were bound into volumes of about 300 pages, which sold for fifty cents each. The number 36 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. of Depositories was 25, in fourteen different States, and in the most favorable locations. Fifty-eight new life members had been added, making in all 104 ; ten of whom had been made life-directors. Remittances had been received from 130 Auxiliaries. "What a desirable arrangement would it be," says the Report, "for every church to become an auxiliary, and thus supply all their members with those salutary and edifying discourses which go abroad in the form of Tracts ! Among no people are to be found stronger considerations for united and charitable effort, and among no people can the diffusion of religious knowledge be attended with happier effects. We may be allowed to say that our selections have all been made with care, delibera- tion and prayer, and that in general we regard their con- tents as admirably adapted to all the purposes for which they are sent forth. It should be a concern with us to send these little rills of knowledge by kind and gentle insinua- tions, into every channel of destitution and ignorance." The Report closes with an animated appeal. " PASTORS of Churches ! call in to your assistance these silent moni- tors, which may assault the repose, and sting the conscience of your people, when you are no longer in their presence. Drop them into the abodes of affliction, and thus read a con- solatory lesson to the wretched and desponding. FATHERS AND MOTHERS, welcome into your houses and to your fire- sides these wholesome visitants. Imprint them on the memory of your children, and mingle their virtues with the dew of their youth. Teachers and magistrates, young and old, wealthy and indigent, all come to this blessed work, and lend your counsels and your prayers for the triumph of this cause. Disciples of the Redeemer, you are commanded to do good as you have opportunity to all men, and to let your light shine. Engage then all of you, with earnest diligence in the dispersion of Tracts ; send them far and near, to careless sinners and sleeping saints ; follow them STATISTICS. 37 with your supplications to the Spirit of Grace, and the great day will reveal that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Some changes were made in the Board of Directors at this Annual Meeting. Rev. Elisha Cushman was chosen President in place of Rev. J. L. Dagg, Rev. William Bal- lentine as a Director in place of Mr. Dorman, and Rev. Robert W. Cushmau filled the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Rev. Howard Malcom to Boston. Messrs. Reuben Jurman and Wm. H. Richards took the place of Messrs. Sexton and McCloud. The others remained as before. The former Board having recommended to the Society an additional article to the Constitution, to be the sixth, fixing the price of Tracts, the new article was adopted, as follows : " Art. 6. Life and Annual Subscribers shall be entitled to one half the amount of their payments in Tracts, at twelve pages for one cent. Auxiliary Societies shall be supplied at the same rate. Sabbath-Schools and members of the General Society, shall be allowed to purchase Tracts, for gratuitous circulation, at that price. Other cash sales shall be made at ten pages for a cent." A clause was also inserted in the fifth article of the Constitution, giving the Board power to " grant special privileges to other Societies, if they deem it expedient." These changes were agreed to unanimously. 10. Statistics. In the Baptist Tract Magazine for January, 1828, we find a Table of the regular Baptist Associations in the United States and British Provinces of North America, filling seven pages, and embracing their dates, times of meeting, correspondents, number of churches, ministers, 4 '68 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. and members, with the number added in 1827, as far as could be ascertained. The total given is 195 Associations 3,852 Churches 2,487 Ministers It, 405 Baptized and 249,460 Members. This Table, however, includes not only the Baptists of the British Provinces and the Anti- Mission Baptists ; but also the Seventh Day Baptists which are not now usually included, and which then embraced 82 Churches TO Ministers 518 Baptized and 6,462 Mem- bers. If these last be deducted, the number of Regular Baptists in the United States in 1827, Anti-Mission Bap- tists included, will be 3,770 Churches 2,417 Ministers 16,883 Baptized and 242,998 Members : or as one mem- ber of our Churches to forty-six of the population of the United States, reckoned at eleven millions. In 1851, the proportion was as one to thirty, showing a gain in the ratio of our membership upon the population in twenty-four years, of full one-third the population being 23,263,498, and the membership 772,216. These last figures are taken from the American Baptist Register of 1852, issued by the American Baptist Publication Society. And here it seems proper to remark, that up to the year 1828, there had been no regular provision for ascer- taining the number and progress of our churches, from year to year, nor for maintaining a general correspondence among them. The tables of John Asplund, in 1792, and of Mr. Benedict, in his first History of the Baptists, pub- lished in 1813, had been collected with incredible toil, at the distance of twenty, years from each other; and no attempt of the kind was again made until 1824, when the Board of Missions of the Baptist Triennial Convention, for its own use, procured, as far as possible, returns of the Associations for that year, and published them early in 1825. In the first Annual Report of the B. G. Tract Society, the total returns of 1824 are put down at 225,000 members in 3,594 churches, with 2,219 Ministers. Deduct- STATISTICS. 39 ing Anti-Mission Baptists, the membership certainly could not exceed 200,000, or one-fiftieth of the population of the United States. This document was of course very im- perfect. So indeed, confessedly was the Table for 1827, in the Baptist Tract Magazine ; but it had the merit of beginning a regular system, which has been continued to this day. It was at the time accompanied with the follow- ing 1 generous proposition: " The Board of Directors of the General Tract Society think it desirable, if possible, to have an Annual Account of our denomination, and are willing to be at the trouble and expense of preparing and publishing it, if our brethren will furnish the materials. We wish to hold a correspondence by an exchange of our Reports for their Minutes, with all the Associations in the country, and do again request them to favor us with a copy of their Minutes annually. They are desired to appoint a Correspondent, whose name and post-office should be printed or written on them. Where Associations neglect our request, it is hoped some one who feels interested in the object will send Minutes voluntarily. " If the Clerks of the Associations, or those who prepare Minutes for the press, would in alt cases make up the totals of Churches, &c., it would aid us very much in compiling the table. Frequently there are other Ministers belonging to the Churches besides those in the delegation. A note might be added stating the whole number of ministers in the body. It would be easy, also, by comparing with the previous year's account, to show on the Minutes the net increase or decrease. By these means the tables could be made more perfect. If the Minutes are headed ' The Annual Meeting, or Anniversary of the Association' it is an easy method of recording the age of the body." The above suggestions are equally important now as then. 40 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 11. Fifth Annual Meeting, 1829. The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Society was held with the First Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, Jan. 7. 1829. The Annual Report of the Board was read by Rev. Noah Davis, the General Agent. It opens in a strain of devout acknowledgment to God for special pros- perity. " The experiment seems now to have been fully made, and strong proof obtained, that this Society can exist and operate with great effect for the benefit of our churches, and the promotion of the general cause of religion. The measure of support which has been afforded in the last twelve months, gives strong reason to hope that our brethren will not cease, but with their lives, to co-operate in advanc- ing the objects of this institution." The amount received into the treasury, was $541T.19J, exceeding the entire receipts of the four preceding years united, by $285. 7 T. "A large portion of the funds have been derived as hereto- fore, from the praiseworthy efforts and liberality of females, in constituting ministers Members or Directors for life. This method of supplying the Society with the necessary means to enlarge its efforts, is so easy, and has so many interesting features connected with it, that we ardently desire the plan may be pursued until the names of all the Baptist ministers in this country shall be enrolled as Life Members or Directors of this body." A proposition of N. R. Cobb, of Boston, in May, 1828, to give $500, on condition that a like sum should be raised by individuals in Philadelphia, by the first of January, 1829, was promptly met, and thus brought in $1000. A friend in Providence, (Nicholas l>ro\vn, Ks<|.,) ,a;:ivu SL'OO to stereotype in tract form the Memoirs of Rev. SAMUEL PEARCE, by Andrew Fuller, and the essay of Rev. ROBERT FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 41 HALL, on THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. It were to be wished that such examples were more appreciated and followed. "But," says the Report, "to accomplish all that it is evidently our duty to do towards supplying our churches, and country, and the world, with Tracts, a much greater amount must be transmitted to our treasury from all the sources of income. This can be done without im- poverishing any one. As a fulfillment of the obligation in part, let one thousand persons during this year find it in their hearts to give us ten dollars each, and the number of our publications will be trebled in the ensuing twelve months. The whole number of Tracts printed by this So- ciety from the beginning, has not equaled the whole num- ber of the members and adherents of our denomination in these United States!" It appears from the Report that 19 new Tracts had been added to the series, making the whole -number 62. The number of stereotype plates was enlarged to 808, exclusive of plates with cuts and hymns for printing covers. About 500 copies of Volumes I. and II. had been bound and put into circulation. The number of Tracts printed during the year 1828, was 428,500, containing 5,442,000 pages, ex- clusive of 162,000 covers, containing 648,000 pages, being 422,000 pages more than all published in the four preced- ing years of the Society. The whole number printed from its formation, was 947,250 Tracts, containing 10,452,000 pages. Remittances were received from 136 Auxiliaries. Three BRANCH SOCIETIES were formed, having Utica and Roches- ter, N. Y., and Charleston, S. C., as the centre points of their operations. "It is mainly to its Auxiliaries, that the Society must look for the means annually to replenish its Depository with new Tracts. Donations and Life-sub- scriptions are highly useful to us in creating a present supply ; but they are not repeated year by year, as are the 4* 42 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. remittances of the Societies ; neither do they call for re- newed issues of Tracts, and disperse them into numerous neighborhoods and families, and among all classes of the community, as do the Auxiliary Societies." Four new Depositories had been established by the Board ; but already the evils incidental to this system had become apparent in absorbing the funds of the Society ; and the means of relief became matters of discussion. The Board decided henceforth to permit no sales from the Depositories on credit. The TRACT MAGAZINE had already been found an im- portant instrument in promoting the objects of the Society, by awakening and sustaining an interest in its favor. Twelve hundred copies were printed monthly, in 1828, containing together 378,000 pages. All its profits were devoted to the publication of the Scriptures and Tracts in Burmah, &c. A beginning was made towards collecting funds for the publication of Tracts in Burmah, in the Burmese language, under the direction of the Missionaries. " Tracts can go where Bibles and Missionaries cannot," says the Report justly, " and there is reason to believe that the Head of the Church designs that much shall be done by the instru- mentality of Tracts in converting the world. They can be circulated to great advantage from our Missionary stations among the Indians and in Africa. Let us open our eyes and see the work to which we are called. We invite fur- ther contributions for this specific object." 12. Manifold Usefulness of the Society. This able Report closes with a number of interesting facts reportcil during the year, showing the usefulness of the Society's Tracts in the conversion of sinners ; in checking MANIFOLD USEFULNESS OF THE SOCIETY. 43 the progress of intemperance, and promoting the revival of religion the first fruits of its future glorious harvest unto God. Had we space, we should be happy to present some of them here. One indeed we must give as a specimen. A minister in a sea-port of Massachusetts furnished the following account : "An interesting young man, whose parents and a younger brother had recently become the disciples of Jesus, still remained himself indisposed to a serious consideration of religion ; and to the grief of those who knew and loved him manifested the alarming indica- tion of growing skepticism. A mariner from his child- hood, he was at this period the master of a vessel destined for a foreign port ; and, on leaving home, he received, with a contemptuous sneer, the Bible which maternal affection urged upon him. To the intimation of his jesting com- panions, that he might soon follow the example of his pa- rents and brothers, in their public profession of religion, he replied, with awful imprecations on himself if that should be. A few weeks bore him far away from those friends whose delusion he affected to despise. He was on the trackless ocean with no Christian near him. But God was there ; and now, for the first time, he became convinced of His power, and wisdom, and justice ; and with this conviction came the overwhelming consciousness of his delinquency and danger. He opened the word of God, but it spoke his deserved and aggravated condemnation. He fell on his knees before the Most High, but the imprecations of past years terrified his soul, and seemed to drive him from the mercy seat. For five days his agony of spirit increased, and he was trembling on the borders of despair. At this critical period he found a small parcel of long neglected Tracts. The Great Question Answered, arrested his imme- diate and earnest attention. The first caution there given against some of the principal dangers of an awakened soul, 44 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. exactly met his own case, and the selection of scriptures there adduced, kindled the first ray of hope in his darkened soul, that even for him there might be pardon ; that pardon he sought and found, and its peace and joy were shed abroad in his heart. You can imagine with what feelings his father met him on his return ; no more a scoffer, but a disciple of that faith which lately he despised." The writer adds, " Go on then, my brethren, go on and prosper, till those on the land and on the sea all have some of the truths of salvation, which your Tracts so richly furnish." Several changes were made in the Board at this anni- versary. Morgan J. Rhees became Recording Secretary, and Messrs. Thomas Brown, John H. Smith and Philolo- gus Loud, took the place of Messrs. Ashton, Kitts and Hacker, in the Board of Directors. The statistical table published in the Magazine, showed an increase in 1828 of It Baptist Associations, 204 Churches, 335 Ministers, 29,031 Baptized, and 33,921 Members over the preceding year. The returns were more full, but still far from perfect. " If we had perfect returns, the number baptized would, we think, prove to be nearer forty than twenty-nine thousand." Some minutes do not give the baptisms, nor the totals of the churches, nor dis- tinguish the names of ministers. The manner of printing the minutes is capable of much improvement. They should be all of the same size, viz., octavo; the totals should be counted up, and the ministers distinguished by some mark" whether ordained, or only licentiates. "A more general correspondence among the associations by mail, is now easy. In this way interesting intelligence and judicious plans of doing good, may be widely diffused among the churches." These extracts illustrate in how many ways the Society was operating as a vital organ of union and improvement SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING. 45 to the denomination including at that time, it was esti- mated, a population of two millions of souls. 13. Sixth Annual Meeting, 1830. The Society held its Sixth Annual Meeting, with the Fifth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Jan 6, 1830. The Annual Report was read by the Agent, Noah Davis ; and announced with becoming gratitude "the uninterrupted harmony and prosperity" of their labors through another year. Several pages are devoted to an exhibition of interesting instances of the blessings conferred by means of the Society's Tracts during the year. The Tracts particularly honored were No. 47, " Examine your State ;" No. 52, " The Na- ture and Importance of Repentance ;" No. 43, " The Con- version of Andrew Fuller ;" and his tract, No. 6, " The Great Question Answered;" No. 30, " The Death of an Infidel;" and No. 4, " The Life and Experience of Mrs. Hamilton." The Report remarks, "it is so cheering to our hearts to obtain this kind of evidence of the favor of our Lord, we hope our brethren in every part of the country will be ready to communicate to us a knowledge of all such instances as may become known to them. It de- serves to be mentioned to the praise of God, that the ac- counts of conversions effected by means of Tracts, which are constantly published in the magazines and reports of the American and London Tract Societies, are very numerous, and show abundantly that it is a chosen method by which the Holy Spirit is turning the hearts of many of the diso- bedient to the wisdom of the just. Perhaps it is safe to say that there is no class of human writings, which produces so great and extensive results of spiritual good, and ob- tains so many testimonies of divine approbation as Tracts." 46 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. The receipts for the year all from regular sources in a season of unusual pressure, were $5,536.39 ; the appropria- tions, $5,641.06. "The business of the year," says the Report, " has been conducted without embarrassment. The Board has been able at all times to keep a full supply of Tracts on hand, and pay the bills for paper, printing, &c., as they have been presented ; so that the balance due from the Society for its various purposes, is not greater than it was at the close of 1828. This has been in part the result also of a rule which the Board passed about a year ago, re- quiring payment for Tracts on delivery. The propriety and wisdom of this measure we had no reason to doubt. A legacy of $200, from "a sister in the Lord," in Con- necticut, was received. Twenty-six new Tracts, from No. 63 to No. 88, containing 304 pages, were added to the series. " Besides these, by an arrangement with the publishers of " Wisdom's Voice to the Rising Generation on Intemperance," brethren Clopton and Ball of Virginia, the Society came into pos- session of the plates of that useful and important work. It contains 180 pages, which added to 1112 pages included in the regular series of Tracts, makes in the whole 1292 pages of stereotype plates." The number of Tracts printed during the year, was 446,750, containing 4,941,000 pages. "Our Tracts are selected with reference to permanent utility, and are worthy of preservation for many years to come. A minister of Massachusetts in writing to the Agent says, of our tract, No. 80, ' The Backslider, by Fuller, is one of the best things he ever wrote, or you ever published.' " Seven new Depositories were opened in important towns, three of them only at the expense of the General Society ; the others by liberal friends of the cause in the several localities. "This," says the Report, "is the true plan of establishing Depositories of Tracts ; and if these examples should be followed, our Tracts will soon become accessible TRACTS FOR EVERY CHURCH. 47 to all the churches of our Lord, throughout the length and breadth of the land." Two additional Branch Societies were formed at PORT- LAND, Me., and HARTFORD, Conn. " This increases the number to five, which have their own auxiliaries and manage their own Depositories. The whole number of Auxiliary Societies, including the branches, from which remittances were received in 1829, is one hundred and sixty-three. The whole number engaged in circulating our Tracts, three hundred and twenty-two. In order to secure the perma- nence and usefulness of them all, we venture to suggest the desirableness of appointing from the members of each a band of active male- and female collectors, to assist the Agent in obtaining subscribers and circulating Tracts ; and that they make vigorous efforts not only to induce the members of the Churches to subscribe ; but, also, all others whom they can, whether professors of religion or not ; as thus the Gospel may be often conveyed into families and neighborhoods to which we cannot extend scarcely any other instrumentality. The quarterly distribution of the Tracts among the subscribers, instead of delivering them all at once, will also be found a happy expedient for securing the reading of them, and keeping alive an interest in the subject. " 14. Tracts for every Church. The most important feature of this year's Report is that which records the noble effort of the Society, which they entitle, TRACTS FOR EVERY CHURCH. " At the monthly meeting of the Board in April, it was resolved to supply every Baptist Church in the United States, that had not supplied itself, with Tracts from No. 1 to No. 54, making 600 pages, gratis, on application of a minister or a deacon of 48 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. each Church, as specimens of our publications ; with the hope that they would so approve of them as to make efforts to obtain others not only of those numbers, but of the whole series. It was believed that there are at least 4,000 Baptist Churches in the United States and British Pro- vinces, that had not seen our Tracts ; and although the effort appeared a great one for our means, yet in reliance on the favor of God and the aid of his people, the resolu- tion was adopted. In July the Agent addressed a circular to all the Associations, requesting them to lay the subject before the Churches, that they might order the Tracts of the Agents of our Depositories. Many of them have passed resolutions approving the plan and objects of the Society, and recommending the Churches to receive our do- nation and form Societies for the further circulation of them. Four hundred and fifty Churches have applied for Tracts. The number of pages issued gratis to these is 270,000." The Statistical Table in the Magazine, shows an increase for the year 1829 of 16 Associations, 328 Churches, 92 Ministers, 18,804 Baptized, and of 21,446 Members. The returns on the column of Baptism as compared with that of the Members, shows the deficiency of the Minutes in this particular. The same is true of the column of Minis- ters. Yet manifest improvements in the mode of printing the Minutes are recognized with pleasure. " It is also very gratifying to discover that so many of the Associations are beginning to make efforts to fulfill the design of their organization by abounding in good resolutions and actions. We hope the time will soon come when it will be no longer necessary to form such a portion of the members of our Churches as may be found willing to aid in the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ, into Societies for the purpose, but when Church Members will become so deeply imbued with the Spirit of the Gospel, that all of them will be of one heart and of one soul in the business ; and make it as SABBATH SCHOOLS. 49 it must be the greatest object of their lives to make known by every possible means the rich grace of Him who has redeemed us from everlasting woe, and prepared for us a kingdom and a crown that shall never fade away." A list of all the Baptist Ministers in the United States and British Possessions, as far as it could be ascertained, was published in the Tract Magazine for January, in connection with the Associations to which they belonged. 15. Sabbath Schools. A suggestion is made in reference to Sabbath -Schools at this time too pregnant to be overlooked. Several Asso- ciations were beginning to request from the Churches regu- lar returns of the Sabbath Schools connected with them, and to print them in their Minutes. On this fact it is observed, " If this plan should be universally adopted, we shall be able to make up an annual account of the whole number of Sabbath Schools, teachers and scholars con- nected with the Baptist Churches in the United States. This would be a very interesting and important item of intelligence. The time may come when the number of schools in our denomination will be so great as to require the Tract Society to publish a series of Sabbath School books suited to their wants." An anticipation fulfilled within ten years, by the reorganization of the Baptist General Tract Society under the name of the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. THE YOUTH'S MAGAZINE AND PARENT'S OFFERING, which had heretofore made the first part of the TRACT MAGAZINE, was at this time put up also in a separate form of 12 pages, and sold for 25 cents a year. At this Anniversary, Rev. William T. Brantly was chosen President in place of Rev. Elisha Cushman, re- 5 50 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. moved to Connecticut ; and Messrs. T. J. Kitts, W. E. Ashton, Joseph Cone, J. R. Dodge, Wilson Jewell, John Mulford, Jr., and J. K. Hillegus, were chosen to fill vacancies in the Board of Directors. All the rest were re-chosen. 16. Death of Rev. Noah Davis. The active mind of NOAH DAVIS which was thus giving form and quickening impulse to all the operations of the Society, was, alas, soon withdrawn from earth. This was the last anniversary he was permitted to cheer and animate by his presence ; the Report which he then read, was the last he ever penned. In the month of July, following, he was suddenly called to his heavenly reward. Is it too much to say that he left the Society, and the denomination, "all light, all on fire, by the potent contact of his own spirit ?" 17. Seventh Annual Meeting, 1831. The Society held its Seventh Annual Meeting with the First Baptist Church, in Second Street, Philadelphia, Janu- ary 5th, 1831. The Annual Report was read by R. W. Cushman, by whom, at the request of the Board, it had been prepared. It is .devoted to giving an account of " WHAT WE HAVE DONE ; WHAT WE HAVE SUFFERED ; AND WHAT WE MUST Do." WHAT WE HAVE DONE. " We have increased our series by an addition of sixteen new Tracts, comprising 244 pjijrcs, and have thus extruded our number from 88 to 104. The number of psi.i-vs )>ritii of the preacher, the work of the Publication Sn<-u -tv drrm -d its value and glory from its connection with the Cross of Christ, and its power to spresid the transforming \IK\VS FROM CALVARY over our country and the world. REPORT OF THE BOARD. 231 The officers chosen tin's year were Rev. J. H. KENNARD, President ; Rev. Wm. SHADRACH, Corresponding Secre- tary ; Rev. J. NEWTON BROWN, Editorial Secretary ; Bro. B. R. LOXLEY, Assistant Treasurer and Depository Agent ; JOHN HANNA, Esq., Recording Secretary, and W. W. KEEN, Treasurer ; besides 31 Yice-Presidents and 21 Managers. 94. Thirty-First Annual Meeting 1855. The Society held its Thirty-First Anniversary with the First Baptist Church in Chicago, 111., May 11, 1855. In the absence of the President, J. P. Crozer, one of the Yice Presidents, was called to the Chair. Rev. Jirah D. Cole, of 111., was appointed Recording Secretary, pro, tern. Brethren present, not members of the Society, were invited to share in its deliberations. The Treasurer's Report was read. Receipts from all sources, $52,705.74; Disbursements, $52,660.22 ; Balance in hand, $45,52. Increase over the preceding year, $3,093.06. From Sales of Publications were received, $32,819.03 ; for Benevolent operations, $13,096.86 ; for Capital, $5214.18. Debts, $15,801.72. Total Assets, $79,468.70; Balance, $63,666.98. 95. Report of the Board. An Abstract of the Report of the Board was read by the Secretary, Rev. Dr. Shadrach. It was ordered to be printed ; and such portions as relate to Depositories and Foreign and Domestic Colportage, were referred to Com- mittees. The Annual Report opens with an allusion to the place 232 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. of meeting, as being the first time since its origin that its Anniversary was held west of the Alleghanies ; notwith- standing it had so long and strenuously labored for the benefit of the West. It also notices with gratitude the unbroken harmony of its counsels in a year of sad confusion. It then enters into an explanation of its peculiar organiza- tion, as both a BENEVOLENT and BUSINESS Society, and the relation of these two features of its Constitution to each other, and to the Churches. It then presents the work of the year, in the PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT. The total number of pages issued during the year was 26,598,000, equal to 32,109,000 18mo. pages. New pub- lications, 44; comprising 6234 pages, making 9,050,000 pages, equal to 10,610,000, in 18mo. Also 20,000 copies of the Almanac, and 10,000 of the Record. The number of works on the Society's Catalogue was 4*16 ; 218 of which were bound volumes. Of the Tracts, 224 were in English, including 11 Children's Tracts; 6 in French ; 15 in German ; and 8 in Swedish. Among the new publications were The Pure Church ; The Travels of True Godliness ; Doddridge on Regene- ration ; Memoir of Mrs. Lord, of the Chinese Mission ; Alleine's Alarm ; Baxter's Saint's Rest ; Pike's Guide to Young Disciples ; Worship at Work, by W. R. Wil- liams, D.D. ; Wiberg on Baptism, in Swedish ; Life and Times of Menno, in German ; and the Pilgrim Harp, a new German Hymn Book, prepared by brethren Fleischman and Rauschenbush ; besides 13 original Sabbath-school books, including The (Baptist) Sabbath-school Harp, pre- pared by brethren Burrows, Cheney, and Brown. All these are fully described in the Report. The number of new SUTrohj.r plates udded was 3763. DEPOSITORIES. 233 96. New Form of Constitution. An amended form of Constitution was presented, as required by the Society the last year, the aim of which was twofold strict conformity with the Charter, and an exten- sion (if possible) of its nationality. GRANTS. Poor Sunday-schools have been supplied with more or less books in every instance of application. Thirty-six poor Ministers, with a Library worth $10 each. The Col- porteurs distributed freely near half a million of tracts. Grants have also been made to Missionaries and mission- stations in foreign lands Canada, Hayti, Germany, Swe- den, Africa, and China. Total value of grants for the year, $2,134.42. Tenfold that amount could be distributed every year were the means at command. The appeals of last year for this purpose failed of effect. 97. Depositories. The policy of founding Branch Depositories, under proper guardianship and supervision, recommended at the last Anniversary, received the earnest and prayerful atten- tion of the Board. With a book stock of $20,000, nearly half of which was in the hands of Colporteurs, it was necessary to proceed with caution, and on a scale propor- tioned to the means. To meet the expectations of some sanguine minds, would require half a million, if not an almost boundless capital. In October, by direction of the Board, the Corresponding Secretary visited the principal cities of the West on an ex- ploring tour. He met in quick succession the State Coiiveu- 20* 234 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. tions of Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and the General As- sociation of Illinois, for the purpose of inquiry and consulta- tion. In Chicago and St. Louis generous overtures were made by private brethren ; rooms were offered for Deposi- tories, and pledges given to cover all expenses attendant on the experiment. On his return, these facts and proposi- tions were submitted to the Board, together with a plan of operation. All these appeared feasible ; but the sudden pressure in the financial world produced first hesitation and then a panic over the country. The St. Louis breth- ren requested delay. But in January, it was resolved by the Board to establish a Branch Depository at Chicago, together with a District Agency. At the same time a similar resolution was passed in favor of St. Louis, as soon as they should desire it. The Depository at Chicago was put under the care of Rev. Leroy Church and Rev. J. F. Childs. The District Agency was temporarily accepted by Rev. J. A. Smith. Nine of the Western Colporteurs are attached to this Agency ; and more should be added. No less than 30 or 40, should be attached to each Branch Depository. Churches, Pastors, and Sabbath-schools should co-operate in planting the goodly tree, until in time, " the fruit there- of shall shake like Lebanon." BUILDING FUND The plan of raising $30,000 for a new building, which began so auspiciously, was retarded in its execution by the pressure of the times. The subscription stands at $13,150. Old subscription, $25,882.98. Total, $39,032.98. PUBLISHING FUND. To the same cause must be ascribed the failure to raise $20,000 as an addition to the working capital of the Society. This want was more pressing even than the former. DOMESTIC COLPORTETTBS. 235 The preparation and issue of works greatly needed and loudly called for, were thus unavoidably delayed. The in- crease of stock demanded to supply the growing Colpor- teur force, and to ensure the success of Branch Deposito- ries, cannot be made without it. AGENCIES. Eight Agents were employed during the year, more or less. Five remained in the service of the Society. All com- plained of the difficulty of raising funds, even where this object was more cordially approved. DOMESTIC COLPORTEURS. The whole number of Colporteurs in commission was 114, of whom 34 were College students. These laborers were distributed through 21 States and Territories, and from New England to Oregon, from Canada to Texas. At the close of the year, 69 were in commission ; 35 of whom were sustained by funds specially designated. The result of their labors is summed up thus : Weeks of labor performed, 1,809 ; miles travelled, 74,651 5 volumes sold, 36,122; volumes gratuitously distributed, 2,107 ; besides 485,980 pages of Tracts ; sermons preached, 3,201; prayer-meetings held, 1,816; converts baptized, 368; families visited, 73,314; new Sabbath-schools estab- lished, 43 ; new churches planted, 15. No less than 2,290 families were found without the Bible. The value of pub- lications sold was $12,407.86. Extracts from Colporteurs' letters fill ten pages of the Report. Nearly all this spiritual husbandry, it should be remem- bered, was bestowed on waste and desert places. Colport- age, as carried on by this Society, in the main, is, strictly speaking, a preaching institution. Most of the Colport- eurs are ministers of Christ. 236 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 98. Colportage in Sweden. In Sweden, Rev. C. F. Hejdenberg, becoming a Bap- tist, went to Hamburg and was baptized. On bis return he baptized many waiting believers, and constituted four Baptist churches. Persecution has raged against these dear disciples in various distressing forms, but in vain. The opposition has but fanned the holy flame. Earnest appeals are made for Colporteurs, tracts and books. They have the men, but lack the means. Shall we supply these means ? A volume on Baptism and Communion, besides several Tracts prepared by brother Wiberg, in Swedish, have been stereotyped by the Board, and 500 copies of the book have been put at the disposal of the author. Brother Wiberg longs to go back to his afflicted brethren, aware of the perils that await him, but unable longer to resist their pressing calls. He has prepared a plan of Colport- age in Sweden. Means are alone wanting to carry it out. He is just the man to superintend this important move- ment. The Report closes with an earnest appeal for help to carry on the great and ever-growing work entrusted to the Board by the American Baptist Churches, and requests a continued remembrance in prayer. 99. Reports of Committees, &c, &c. The various Committees on Domestic and Foreign Col- portage Publications in Foreign Languages made their reports ; which were adopted and ordered to be prinirl with the Minutes. A letter of deep interest from Rev. C. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, &C. 23t F. Hejdenberg, our imprisoned brother in Sweden, was read, and ordered to be printed with the Minutes. The Amended Constitution, as reported by the Board, was fully discussed, and finally adopted. Sup. 270. The Officers and Managers for the ensuing year were chosen: Mason Bray man, Esq., of Chicago, President; Rev. J. H. Kennard, J. P. Crozer, Esq., Hon. J. H. Duncan, Hon. Thos. W. Ewart, Vice- Presidents ; Rev. "Win. Shadrach, D.D., Secretary ; Rev. George C. Bald- win, D.D., Recording Secretary; W. W. Keen, Trea- surer; and 21 Managers. Standing Officers of the Board, Rev. J. H. Kennard, Chairman ; Rev. T. S. Malcom, Recording Secretary; Rev. J. Newton Brown, D. D., Editor ; Rev. B. R. Loxley, De- pository Agent. On motion of Rev. E. L. Magoon, seconded by Rev. G. S. Webb "Resolved, That our thanks are due to our excellent brother, Rev. Joseph H. Kennard, for the courtesy and fidelity with which, for ten years past, he has presided over the councils and aided the funds of the Society ; and that, in acceding to his request for withdrawal from the Presi- dency, we shall entertain toward him sentiments of undi- minished gratitude and esteem. The Chairman, bro. Crozer, then introduced to the Assembly, Mason Brayman, Esq., the newly-elected President of the Society, who made a brief address. Resolutions were adopted in favor of the sanctified Press, the Sabbath-school, and an increase of Colportage, accompanied with brief voluntary addresses ; after which the Society adjourned, with prayer by Rev. B. M. Hill, D.D., of New York. Thus closed the Thirty-First Anniversary of the Society, from the beginning in 1824, and the Fifteenth from the time of its reorganization in 1830. 238 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 100. Thirty-Second Annual Meeting. The Thirty- Second Anniversary was held with the Oliver Street Church, New York, May 12, 1856 ; Rev. J. Kennard, D.D., in the absence of the President, was called to the chair. Prayers were offered by Rev. J. Aldrich, of Mass., and Rev. Dr. Howell, of Ya. It is a fact illustrating the want of practical interest in this great denominational institution, that in a large congregation, only eighty-six members of the Society were present. The Treasurers Report was read by Rev. Dr. Shadrach, followed by an abstract of the Report of the Board of Managers. The latter opens with the following : 101. General Retrospect. " Sixteen years have now elapsed since the American Baptist Publication Society was organized under its present name. As this is precisely the number of years in wh'ich it was operating under its original name of the Bap- tist General Tract Society, it is natural to glance over the work of the two equal periods, and bring the results into comparison. Could we study them thoroughly and thought- fully we should probably be astonished to observe, in both periods, how small an amount was contributed by our great denomination to supply the capital necessary to accomplish its noble objects; and with like probability we should be convinced that these objects were realized to the full mea- sure of the means placed at its disposal ; that the policy of its Board of Managers lias never IMM-U narrow us some have supposed but generous and enlarged, often indeed beyond its pecuniary power ; that its scanty resources GENERAL RETROSPECT. 239 have not been wasted, though lost at times, in the most praiseworthy, but unrequited and unsuccessful enterprises, in the establishment of Branch Depositories; and that not- withstanding these losses, it has, by the blessing of God, been conducted on the whole with so much diligence, econ- omy and circumspection as to secure public confidence, and also to accumulate a growing capital, inadequate indeed to its magnificent work, but still effectual in accomplishing inestimable good, both at home and abroad. This will appear from the following statistics : In 1840, the year of reorganization, the entire property of the Society, in stock, funds and cash, was $4, 121. TO. lu 1855, after deducting all liabilities, it was $63,667.03; being a gain of near $60,000 in fifteen years. But it should be borne in mind that this property is not, by any means, all working capital. Deducting the Build- ing Fund, of $21,805.26; the Invested Fund, of $61.01; and the Permanent Colporteur Fund, of $2,500 ; the interest of which only can be expended annually ; there remains for Publication purposes, including stereotype plates, wood-cuts, steel engravings, &c., a total residue of $39,300.11. As the policy of the Society has always been in favor of cheap publications, it is obvious that the rapid aug- mentation of our capital cannot be looked for from the sale of our books ; the prices of which, though low at first, have in conformity with this policy, been reduced from time to time. Hence it depends on donations from the churches. AVith tins limited amount of capital, let us see what the Society has accomplished in the way of Publication. As a Tract Society, in the first sixteen years, from 1824 to 1840, it issued, (according to a Circular prepared by Rev. J. M. Peck, in 1845,) fifty-four millions of pages. As a Publication Society, in fifteen years, from 1840 to 240 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. 1855, in books and tracts of all sizes, it issued about one hundred and thirty millions of pages ; and if we include the present year, to complete the -sixteen of the comparison, not far from one hundred and forty-six millions ; which added to those of the first period, make a grand total of two hundred millions of pages of evangelical truth em- bracing, in due proportion, those distinctive principles of our New Testament belief, which are necessarily excluded from the publications of other denominational and union societies. If we divide the last period from 1840 to 1855 into three portions of five years each, the stages of progress will be more distinctly and impressively seen. The first half decade was distinguished by the introduction of Col- portage ; the second, by the creation of the Ten Thousand Dollar Fund ; and the third, by the opening and com- pleting of the Twenty-Five Thousand Dollar Building Fund, and entrance into the new Depository in Arch Street. In the first half decade, from 1840 to 1845, were issued 4,230,255 pages In the second, " from 1845 to 1850, 18,15.1,863 " In the third, " from 1850 to 1855, 107,587,800 " The remarkable increase in the last named five years, from 1850 to 1855, is worthy of notice. It is due to several causes; among which may be named the appoint- ment of a permanent Editor the addition of the Ten Thousand Dollar Fund to our working capital the in- crease of sales consequent on removal to the Arch Street Depository all which occurred in 1849-50; to which may be added, since thai yrnr, the rapid increase of valuable books, the steady increase of our Colporteur force, and the use by loan of several thousand dollars of the unemployed Building Fund for publishing purposes. From this brief retrospect of the preceding years of the Society's history, we proceed to record the work and pro- RETRENCHMENT. 241 gress of the last year which completes, as we have said before, the sixteenth year of the Society's labors under its present name and more extended scope. 102, Retrenchment in the Publishing Department. "The total number of pages printed the past year is 16,276,293 ; equal to 18,478 ; 293 pages in 18mo. The number of new publications is twenty-seven, comprising 2,157 pages; of which there are 156 octavo, 416 duode- cimo, 1,457 18mo., and 128 32mo., being together equal to 2,421 pages 18mo. This includes the Baptist Almanac for 1856, of which 20,000 copies have been printed. The number of new Stereotype plates added during the year is 1908 : making our total stock, 35,142 pages. In 1850, it was but 12,770. The total number of publications now embraced in the Society's Catalogue is 501 ; of which 237 are bound vol- umes ; of the Tracts, 232 are in English, 6 in French, 15 in German, and 11 in Swedish. RETRENCHMENT. " The falling off nearly one-half in the number of pages issued, when compared with the preceding year, is wholly owing to the exhaustion of our available resources, and the consequent necessity of retrenchment for the time being. For many months, the Finance Committee judged it suffi- cient to keep up a supply of our Catalogue books, and laid an interdict on the issue of any new publications, and also on the gratuitous Baptist Record. This lull of his usual employment, enabled the Editor to prepare the Baptist Almanac for 1856 ; to collect and examine a large number of volumes bearing on the Church History ; to extend his preparatory reading and plans in 21 242 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. all directions, and to bring up the " Historical Document, or Annals of the American Baptist Publication Society," from 1840 to 1855, according to the wishes of the Board. Having closed up his assigned work in this Department, he will be able from this time, if God permit, to devote him- self without reserve or distraction of thought, to the great Historical Composition to which the Society has called him the condition prescribed by the Board being fulfilled. 103, Sales, Receipts, and Disbursements " The Sales of books and tracts have amounted to $35,554.15, a slight advance on the previous year of which there has been a large increase in sales by our Col- porteurs, being $2,103.61 more than their sales for the year ending March, 1855. The receipts from all sources, including balance in hand of $45.52, is $54,501.63. Disbursements for the year, $54,401.51 ; leaving a balance in the Treasury of $94.12, Of the receipts of the year, $32,368.20 were from sales of publications; $13,279. OT for various objects of benevolence, such as colportage, general and specific grants of books and tracts to the destitute, and to needy Ministers and Sunday-schools, and $5,068.60, added to the capital of the Society for the Publishing and Building Funds. 104. Benevolent Funds Overdrawn. Debts and Assets. "The statement of the Benevolent Funds shows, that while the Society is engaged in the manufacture and sale of its publications, its business operations have been so con- ducted as not to draw from these funds ; the disbursements DESTITUTION AND GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION. 243 considerably exceeding the amounts received for these pur- poses, leaving these funds overdrawn. In the amount received for Colporteur Fund is included the 20 per cent, allowed on the sales by the Colporteurs, which is put to the credit of that fund to aid the Colporteur's work. The assets of the Society, including Bills Receivable, Invested Fund, Real Estate, Book Stock, Materials, such as Paper, Plates, Wood Cuts, Engravings, &c., foot up the Bum of $78,434.76, against which there is a debt of $9,339.26, being less than debt of last year by $6,464.46; leaving a balance, after discharging all liabilities, of $69,095.50 for the capital of the Society, which, however, includes the amounts overdrawn on Colporteur, Ministers' Library and General Purpose Funds, and is exclusive of the unpaid pledges on the Building and Publishing Funds. The Treasurer's Report exhibits simply the amount of cash which passes through his hands, and is exclusive of a large amount of the business, which cannot well be brought into the cash accounts. 105. Destitution and Gratuitous Distribution. "Among the families visited by our Colporteurs within the last two years, no less than four thousand seven hundred and forty-six were found without a Bible ; and nearly double that number of households, as actually seen by these statistics, with no religious books whatever except the Bible. We must, in view of this fact, be allowed again to urge our earnest plea for more liberal contributions, to aid us in lessening this sad destitution of the means of Christian enlightenment. We gratefully acknowledge a grant of Bibles and Testaments from the American and Foreign Bible Society to the amount of $200 ; thrice that amount could be advantageously distributed annually by our Col- 244 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. porteurs. The number of volumes donated by Colporteurs during this year is 2,782. Twenty-one $10 libraries have been sent to needy Ministers, and $179.55 worth of books to poor and destitute Sabbath-schools. Grants of books and tracts to the amount of $394.55 have been sent to foreign countries, including packages sent to Germany, Sweden, Africa, Hayti, Canada and the Empire of Brazil. The total amouut expended in these donations is $2070.90, a sum by far too small, but yet exceeding the amount re- ceived for this purpose. At the Annual Concert of Prayer on behalf of the Pub- lication Society, the second Lord's day in June, we hope our brethren will bear in mind this branch of our work, and that Pastors, who know the worth of a good library, will plead with the Churches on behalf of destitute Ministers, who complain that they are ' lame in their efforts at preaching for want of books.' This also would be a suit- able time to remember the poor and famishing schools at the West. We should have, at least, one hundred $10 libraries sent to these Schools the present year. Remem- ber the poor. 106. Branch Depositories. Chicago. "As yet we are unable to report a successful experiment in carying out our policy of Branch Depositories and Dis- trict Agencies. The branch at Chicago, founded a little more than a year ago, was closed at the end of the first six months, owing mainly to the want of a suitable District Agent to take charge of its interests, and provide for its wants. Rev. J. A. Smith, of Chicago, had accepted a tem- porary agency; but, prior to entering on the service, was released at his own request. In the mean time the ex- penses of room rent and clerkship were being incur- red, and though these were light, yet, as we had little THE SOCIETY A DENOMINATIONAL NECESSITY. 245 prospect of raising funds in that field to meet them, it was deemed best to close the concern for the present. To sus- tain distant Depositories, the incidental expenses of which are not met by contributions raised in their respective localities, would be ruinous. Such an experiment, several years ago, was found to result in disaster, and cannot soon be repeated. With a large Colporteur force to gather around such Branch Depositories, and an efficient Agency in the field to raise funds for Colporteurs' salaries, and incidental ex- penses, the plan would, doubtless, work well, and be at- tended with many decided advantages. The failure of this, our first attempt, has, by no means, changed the views of your Board as to the soundness and wisdom of such a policy. Experience will guide us in our subsequent efforts ; and we hope the time is not far distant when we shall see in Chicago a flourishing Branch Depository of the American Baptist Publication Society. At the present time our books are kept on sale by Messrs. Keen & Lee, who are engaged, by contract, to keep on hand continu- ally, not less than $300 worth of our books. 107. The Society a Denominational Necessity. " The American Baptist Publication Society ws organ- ized, primarily, to meet what, at that time, was regarded as a denominational necessity a necessity deeply felt and acknowledged. We were then a numerous communion, and were found diffused 'through every part of our peopled territory, but were sorely deficient in the means of religious instruction. The growth of our churches was much more rapid, in point of numbers, than that of our Ministry. Excepting some favored portions of the older States, a 246 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. great destitution of the ordinary means of grace was every- where experienced. In the interior settlements of even the older States, the people depended mainly upon itinerant labor, and many of the churches had little religious train- ing save what they derived from twelve, or even six, visits during the year from traveling preachers ; and many of these but poorly instructed themselves. Destitute alike of oral instruction and of suitable books, how should our people attain an intelligent, healthful and vigorous piety ? Untrained in knowledge, immature in principles, and lack- ing in supervision and guidance, they were liable to be carried away with every wind of doctrine; and multitudes, as foreseen and predicted, were ensnared by sweeping delusions, and 'damnable heresies.' In the rural districts and rising villages of the West, the destitution and danger were still more apparent, and more appalling. There, literally, thousands were scattered about like sheep without a shepherd, or even a fold with neither School, nor Church, nor Minister. To lessen this destitution, so painful and threatening, our wise and provident fathers proposed a united effort in plying the Christian Press. They justly regarded that mighty instrument as full of promise, if wielded with wis- dom and vigor, to meet the exigency ; as fitted to supply, at least in part, the lack of oral instruction and pastoral oversight ; to expose error, and guard the flock of the Lord against the wiles of evil seducers. The views of the de- nomination were invoked on the subject, and ready and cor- dial were the responses received from all our borders. Conventions and Associations, great and small, with una- nimity commended the measure, and our honored brethren at the head of the periodical press, with a praiseworthy zeal, fostered the enterprise. Hopes then cherished, we regret to say, have been but partially realized. While we gratefully own and adore the THE PRESENT EFFORT. 241 goodness of God for what has been done in spreading His truth, we yet feel deeply abashed and confounded, that, with facilities so. great, resources so ample, and a field so necessitous, and yet so inviting, we have accomplished so little. Millions of pages of saving truth, it is true, have been sent abroad through this and other lands, still the stinging conviction abides, that the standard of duty required that millions more should have passed through our hands. By the blessing of God upon our issues, we know that light and refreshment, warning and wisdom, peace and joy, have been imparted to many ; had our duty been fully performed, multitudes more might have shared in similar benefits. 106. The Great Want. " From the commencement of our enterprise till the pre- sent, our great want has been that of an adequate Capital. Appeals have been made from time to time ; but the responses were not in accordance with the spirit and zeal with which the plan was adopted. The voices and pens of such men as Davis and Knowles, Brantly, Allen and Rhees, plead, in their day, with affection and force, for ample means to carry out the worthy design. But, except the Ten Thousand Dollar Fund, closed in 1848, and the Twenty-five Thousand Dollar Fund, for the Tract House, completed in 1853, together with a few liberal legacies left by ardent friends of the cause, little has ever been done to give the Society strength and efficiency. 107. The Present Effort. $100,000 Fund. "The present effort commenced in the autumn of 1853, by a proffer made by two members of the Board to give five 248 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. thousand dollars each, upon condition that thirty thousand should be raised, with a view to provide the Society with larger premises and a better location. This pledge was coupled with a promise of further aid, provided an effort were made to raise an additional sum for publishing pur- poses. For this latter object the sum of twenty thousand was named. The two subscriptions were opened at once, and jointly called for fifty thousand dollars. They were both commenced under very auspicious and promising circum- stances, and your Board hoped to see them completed at an early day. But a sudden revulsion occurring soon after in the business and financial affairs of our country, our pro- gress was checked, and for more than a year they remained nearly stationary. In the mean time, the legacy of three thousand dollars, left the Society by its friend and patron Garrett N. Bleeker, of New York, gave us fresh hope and encouragement. It was resolved to apply this legacy to the Publishing Fund as part of the twenty thousand dol- lars. Up to November last the amount pledged on these two subscriptions was a fraction over twenty-three thou- sand, less than one half the sum required to make them available. The Board began to yield to a feeling of dis- couragement ; and several of the largest subscribers, finding their brethren so slow to co-operate, were entertaining the question of recalling their pledges. Some of the friends to whom application for aid was made, both in New York and Philadelphia, objected to our plan, not on the score that the sum we aimed to secure was too large, but because it was too small, and somewhat out of proportion. It was alleged that twenty thousand dollars, if raised for publishing purposes, would still leave the Board to struggle with difficulties arising from the want of an adequate capital. At the same time, kind inti- mations were given that if the plan were so modified as to secure a much larger amount for this part of the endow- REASONS FOR THIS EFFORT. 249 ment, they were prepared to unite in the effort. These facts were made known to the Board at their November meet- ing, and awakened the liveliest interest. The subject was fully discussed, and as the measure of enlargement accorded so well with their own convictions as to the real wants of the case, an order was passed unanimously that we attempt at once to raise, by subscription, the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, not more than Thirty Thousand of which to be employed for building purposes, the remaining Seventy Thousand to be added to the permanent Publishing Fund. In proof of the earnest good-will with which the Board adopted this measure, it will be sufficient to state that one of the members present raised his subscription, given on the former plan, from one thousand, to five thou- sand dollars, and another from five thousand, to eight thousand five hundred. These two subscriptions of thirty thousand dollars for building, and seventy thousand for publishing purposes, are now blended in one under the heading of "Enlargement of Permanent Capital." 108. Reasons for this Effort. "Your Board will attempt no formal argument to sustain this policy of enlarging the capital, and thereby increasing the power of the Society. They would not as- sume to instruct their brethren by descanting on the power of the press for good or for evil, or on the necessity of counteracting the tendency of its corrupt and polluting is- sues by such as are pure and saving. All they could say on the bearing of the Evangelical Press on the wants and dangers of a people so full of energy and enterprise, so heterogeneous, mixed, and scattered as ours, or on the gen- eral weal of the nation, is fully known and conceded. Without looking beyond our own communion, with its 250 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. million membership nearly, and having as adherents one- fifth of our country's population, we have motive enough to press us to the use of this and every other avail- able agency in the work of evangelization. Every argument and every motive which impelled our fathers to plan and call into being this Institution, has, with the pro- gress of years, gained additional force and intensity, and should at this day urge us to ply with redoubled zeal and energy the power they placed in our hands. With our present meagre resources, it is in vain to expect that, by any tact, or skill, or energy, your Board can give the Society that degree of efficiency which comports with its worthy aims, the name it bears, the work assigned it, and the vast and growing field inviting its efforts. The sons of Jacob in Egypt might have made bricks without straw, as readily as your Board can make books without money, or create an ample stock without a more adequate Capital. With the small Capital now at command, and the consequent limited range and meagre variety of our publications, every department of our operations is car- ried on at a disadvantage. To illustrate this, we select the department of Colportage. With a wider range and a richer variety of good and useful books, the labor of Col- porteurs would be far more effective than it can be at present. Their sales would be greatly increased; and thus, while the field they traverse would be more amply supplied with the means of instruction, and their toil made productive of richer moral results, the pecu- niary profits arising from this increase of sales would aid us to add to our colporteur force, since, by a rule of the Board, twenty per cent, on colporteur sales is applied to the Colporteur Fund. This itself is an item of no trifling importance, as is shown by the fact, that during the year now closed, more than one-third of our income for the support of our system of Colportage REASONS FOR THIS EFFORT. 251 was derived from this source. A double moral benefit would thus arise from enriching our catalogue, viewed alone in relation to Colportage. Treasures of truth from the fountain of heavenly wisdom would be more largely distributed by those already in service ; while, meantime, our means to commission more laborers to enter new fields on a similar errand would be thereby augmented. As matters now stand, to supply the lack of variety in our own publications, we are compelled to purchase from other societies. This we do at a loss to our business interests, but we cannot avoid it without weakening the power of Colportage. "We buy mostly from the American Tract Society; but as their rules permit them to give us but 22 \ per cent, discount from catalogue prices, and we credit our Colporteur Fund with 20 per cent., the remaining 2J per cent, falls very far short of covering the expense of freightage alone, to say nothing of other incidental ex- penses. In this we suffer a loss a loss, however, which is better borne than avoided, until endowed with more am- ple resources, we are prepared to send forth our spiritual warriors more fully equipped from our own armory. With the experience acquired by years of service in watching over and managing the affairs of this Institution, the best proof, perhaps, that your Board can give to their brethren of the importance which they attach to the mea- sure here commended, will be found by a reference to the subscription list. After contributing largely, at different periods, to the permanent funds already secured, seven members of the Board stand pledged for this endowment to the amount of twenty-three thousand dollars, or nearly one-fourth part of the whole sum proposed. They state the fact to show they do not wish to impose burdens on others which they themselves are unwilling to bear. Forty thousand dollars are already secured, and scarcely as many as forty names are found in our list. They appeal to those 252 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. of their brethren who have both the means and the heart to give. Let this endowment be raised without interfering with the ordinary annuities for this or kindred societies. This once done, the Society will possess what hitherto it has never enjoyed an effective and self-augmenting capital. Give it this capital, a good location, and ample premises, and let it go forth on its mission of mercy, to bear its tidings of good to the poor and perishing, to bind up the broken-hearted, to give to mourners in Zion ' beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.' 109. Agencies. "Eight agents have been in the field during the whole, or a part, of the year. The aggregate of time devoted to the service was a fraction over four years and nine months, for one man, The season proved unusually unpropitious for their work. In some portions of the field, they found it almost impracticable to accomplish any thing in the way of collecting funds. Our farming brethren had suffered the loss of two successive harvests the first by drought, and the second by mildew and rains. Everywhere, the severity of the winter obstructed their traveling ; and when they pressed their way through the snowdrifts to meet their ap- pointments, they often found the attendance so small that no attempts were made at raising collections. This has occasioned a serious deficiency in our Colporteur Fund. The expenses of this branch of our operations has exceeded our resources by nearly four thousand dollars. Three excellent brethren have resigned their commission, as Agents, within the year, and two others have been ap- TESTIMONY OF AGENTS. 253 pointed. Rev. D. C. Haynes, at the close of our fiscal year, was transferred from his former field in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to take the place of Rev. Freeman G. Brown, resigned, as General Agent for New England, with the title of District Secretary. The number now in com- mission is seven. As it is usual to judge of the worth of an agent's service by the amount of funds he collects, we wish the fact to be noted, that one of our Agents, during the last winter, was instrumental in the conversion of one hundred and twenty souls, sixty-eight of whom were bap- tized upon a profession of their faith. Within the year, he has preached 282 sermons ; reports 180 hopeful conver- sions, 111 of whom have been baptized. 110. Testimony of Agents. "Rev. F. GL BROWN, our efficient General Agent for New England, has, we regret to say, owing to ill health, beep compelled to retire from the service. In closing his con- nection with the Society, Bro. Brown writes : ' My field, while in your employ, has been a very wide one, so wide that it has been impossible to bring much in- fluence to bear, for any length of time, on any one point ; but I have traveled enough, in various directions, visited churches, ministering brethren, laymen, and been present at numerous conventions and associations, and have seen and heard enough to convince me that the Publication Society stands very high in the estimation of the New England Baptists, so far as it has made their acquaintance. I say it frankly, that I know of no society that is made the subject of so little animadversion as the American Baptist Publication Society. Of course, one may find a person, here and there, who may be disposed to find fault with 23 254 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. some of the little details of the Society's operations. Bnt 1 for the great work itself, and for the safe and economical manner in which it is carried forward, all agree in expres- sions of the heartiest commendation. There is not even enough of opposition, perhaps, for its good. I have been sorry to find the Society so little known, however, in some directions ; and such an absence of all denominational feeling, in some instances, on the part of brethren, leading them to patronize some kindred institution, instead of one of their own. These difficulties will be obviated, I think, in time.' 111. Books and Colportage. " ' The books from your press are contributing greatly to- ward a favorable introduction of the Society. One may well feel proud of such publications, both as it respects matter, manner, and cheapness. It would be strange if, with your limited capital, you should publish books as cheap as similar institutions with a far larger capital. And yet I was highly pleased, on one occasion, at a fact like this. A bookseller, putting a book into my hand from your press, complained that it was ten cents higher than a similar book which he had on his shelves, issued by a kin- dred institution. I asked to see the two books side by side ; and then drew his attention to the binding, the paper, and, finally, to the print of each. He was obliged to admit that, in each of these particulars, your book had the preference ; and what was our mutual surprise, and my own gratification, to find that, after all, it was your book that was the cheaper, too ! " I have been pleased to see how popular Colportage is among the people. There is no feature of the Society so taking as this. The one thing necessary to render it in- TESTIMONY OF AGENTS. 255 creasingly and universally popular, is the regular reception of reports from Colporteurs, by such individual churches, and Sabbath-schools, as give them their support. I have found a number of young men who favored the idea of un- dertaking the support of a Colporteur ; sometimes a busi- ness firm, composed of young men, have entered upon this work. At other times, a young man has done this work alone. Here is one such instance. On one occasion, after having presented the claims of the Society to an audience in the .neighborhood of B., I received a note from a young merchant, desiring me to call at his store at my earliest opportunity. Without knowing or surmising the object of the writer, I called as desired ; when the young man, taking me into a retired part of his place of business, opened conversation, by giving me a brief sketch of his Christian experience; of the habit of his pious mother, when he was but a lad, of taking him by the hand, and lead- ing him to her closet, where, laying her hand upon his head, she would kneel, and devoutly and earnestly supplicate God to early convert him to Christ, and make him a highly useful Christian. " Those prayers," said the young man, with deep emotion, " God was pleased to answer ; and now I want to devote my days to his service. He has pros- pered me in business, and I want to render unto him a tribute of gratitude. Here is the sum necessary to support a Colporteur, for one year ; calculate upon a similar amount from me for ten years to come, should life and prosperity attend me. Let me know the name of the person who is to be supported with this money, and where will be his field of labor. I wish to correspond with him, and make him a subject of constant prayer." ' " REV. CHARLES RANDALL. Field, Eastern and Central New York. Since the resignation of Rev. R. G. Toles, his field has been divided between brethren Randall and Fol- 256 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. well. Bro. R., at the close of our fiscal year, March 1st, writes as follows : ' I have traveled about two thousand miles, one-fourth of which, at least, has been traveled on foot. I have preached on the Sabbath from one to three sermons, and during the week have visited from house to house, imparting information, and receiving the contribu- tions of the brethren. This, I am aware, is a laborious method of conducting my work, but I am satisfied that it possesses decided advantages. Among the many hundreds with whom I have thus held personal intercourse, the great majority cherish a warm regard for the interests of the Society, give liberally for its support, and earnestly com- mend it to God in their prayers. Many express a strong desire to have the Society issue a Sunday-school paper, and to have a full depository of our publications in the city of New York. The recent opening for Colportage in Sweden, has awakened a very deep interest; and the con- viction is becoming more general that the Society's opera- tions in this department should be greatly enlarged. ' In conclusion, allow me to say, that the cordiality with which I have been received among my brethren, as the Agent of the Society, and the aid they have so cheer- fully imparted, have been very pleasing to me, and greatly encouraged me in my work.' "REV. D. C. HAYNES. Field, New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania. In reviewing the labors of the year ending March 13th, being the close of his second year in the agency, Bro. Haynes writes thus : ' I have visited Conventions, Associations, Sunday-schools, and individuals, as exten- sively as possible throughout the two States, and in every place have met a kind reception. The Society is growing in favor with all intelligent persons. There is a general belief that it is assuming a position second to none.' "DR. N. W. FOLWELL, our Agent in Western New York, TESTIMONY OP AGENTS. 257 the field made vacant by the resignation of Rev. 0. D. Taylor, after referring to the obstructions thrown in his way by the severity of the winter, and the scarcity of money, owing to the failure of two successive harvests, writes as follows : ' In nearly every church which I have visited, I have found a general expression of sympathy and good-will toward the Publication Society, and have received a cor- dial welcome at the homes of my brethren, and especially the pastors, for which I feel very grateful. '-My conviction in regard to the Society is, that we have no more efficient instrumentality existing among us for the great work of home evangelization, combining as it does the power of the press with the living ministry, in the dis- semination of truth. My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that it may receive the cordial support of all the churches.' "REV. A. JONES. Field, Vermont. Bro Jones entered on the agency in November last, and under date of April 15th, writes as follows : ' In entering on the work assign- ed me, I was not ignorant of the labor required to intro- duce a new object to the churches, designed to take a place among the sisterhood of religious enterprises, and ask for a regular support. My first efforts have been directed to make friends to the Society, and to induce the people to love the work in which it is engaged. Special pains have been taken to show that the Society does not conflict with other good institutions, but is adapted to co-operate with them in evangelizing the world. And, believing that the most successful and u-seful agencies are those that sympathize most closely with the churches, it has been my object to aid the pastors and churches, as much as possible, while with them on my special errand. 23* 258 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. ' During the period of my labor for the Society, I have traveled 2000 miles ; preached 65 sermons ; attended 40 prayer-meetings ; and visited 35 churches. The brethren have received me kindly, professed an interest in the work of the Society, given some money, and promised more. I believe these professions to be sincere, and shall work with confidence for future aid. A toilsome work has been per- formed, and the Society is known in Vermont. ' " RET. SUPPLY CHASE. Field of labor, Michigan. In accordance with the expressed wishes of brother Chase, made known to the Board when he accepted the agency, he has been encouraged to stop by the way and preach to the people, wherever he found an open and effectual door. In these evangelical labors, unsparingly rendered, he has been signally blessed, as will be seen by the following sum- mary for four months : Sermons preached, 155 ; conver- sions, 120 ; baptisms, 68. Total for the year : Sermons, 282; conversions, 180; baptisms, 111. ' In reviewing my labor, I cannot but feel that God directed the measures which resulted in my devoting the time in the manner I have. A rich blessing has followed ; and, although the labor has been severe, I have obtained a rich reward, in seeing the cause of the Master revived and sinners converted.' 112. Colportage. " The number of Colporteurs put in commission during the year ending March 1st, 1856, was One Hundred and Nine. Of that number twenty-three were students ; thir- teen from Rochester University ; seven from Madison ; and three from Lewisburg. These brethren were distributed as follows : 2 in Ar- COLPORTAGE. 259 kansas; 1 in Delaware; 10 in Illinois; 4 in Indiana; 1 in Iowa ; 3 in Kentucky ; 1 in Maryland ; 5 in Michigan ; 3 in Missouri ; 1 in New Hampshire ; 4 in New Jersey ; 30 in New York; 3 in Ohio ; 17 in Pennsylvania ; 1 in Tennessee ; 4 in Vermont ; 1 in Virginia ; 7 in Wisconsin ; 1 in Oregon ; 5 in Canada ; and 5 in Sweden. The number in commission at the close of the year was sixty-four, located as follows : 2 in Arkansas ; 1 in Dela- ware ; 5 in Illinois; 4 in Indiana; 1 in Iowa; 2 in Ken- tucky ; 1 in Maryland ; 4 in Michigan ; 3 in Missouri ; 12 in New York ; 8 in Pennsylvania ; 1 in Tennessee ; 4 in Vermont ; 1 in Virginia ; 7 in Wisconsin ; 3 in Canada ; and 5 in Sweden. From the accompanying statistical tables it appears that during the year, 1,990 weeks of service has been rendered ; in which 85,989 miles were traveled; 36,663 volumes sold ; 2,788 volumes given to the poor ; 478,392 pages of tracts distributed ; 67,252 families, and 3,503 vessels visited ; 2,621 prayer meetings held ; 3,500 sermons preached ; 486 converts baptized ; (the baptized by Col- porteurs being only about one-half of the number hopefully converted) 12 Churches constituted ; and 31 Sunday- schools organized. These are the simple statistics of Colporteur labor ; but who can form an adequate estimate of the moral results. To look at these naked figures alone, we gain but a faint and partial view of the more direct and immediate fruits of the work of our Colporteurs. The Sunday-schools gathered, the Churches formed, and the converts made and baptized, while they furnish cause for devout thanksgiving, constitute only a part of the blessings attending their labor. These vital and co-operative agencies are "first fruits," gathered on fields where they have labored alone. From their monthly reports we gather that other converts to Christ, numbered by hundreds, have been won by services 2CO AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. rendered by them in conjunction with pastors and other evangelists. They sometimes spend ten days or a fort- night assisting at public meetings, promoting revivals by preaching the Gospel, distributing books and tracts, and by earnest personal converse from house to house. Our tables do not exhibit the fruit of these services j the record of that is on high. Look again at the extent of their travels 85,733 miles enough to girdle the globe three and a half times. In the course of these travels they visited 61,252 families, or one to every mile and a quarter, embracing an aggregate of 336,000 souls ; and over this field they scattered no less than 39,405 volumes of a choice Christian literature, be- sides hundreds of thousands of pages of tracts, replete with the saving truths of the Gospel. Admit that much of this seed may have fallen in stony or sterile ground, yet who, that knows the dealings of God with men, can doubt that much will ripen in fruit unto life eternal. Evangelical books and evangelical sermons, by the might of the quicken- ing Spirit, convey alike to the souls of men, the life and power and peace of the Gospel. The book and the sermon, each, has its own peculiar advantage, and the two com- bined constitute God's chosen instruments for propagating Christianity, at home and abroad. 113. Colportage a Complete System of Evangelism. " Colportage, as conducted by this Society, embraces a full and complete system of Evangelism. By far the greater number of our Colporteurs are Ministers of Christ, ordained to preach the Gospel. They carry with them the living " oracles," and other religious books and tracts form Sabbath-schools, found Churches, dispense ordinances, COLPORTAGE A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF EVANGELISM. 261 and ordain others to preach the Gospel. Their books and tracts are used as chief auxiliaries in prosecuting their high and holy vocation. The teachings of Banyan and Fuller, Baxter and Hall, Doddridge and Booth, Flavel and Pike, with many more, are powerful helps in the work of culti- vating the moral wastes of our country. Having wide and extensive fields to traverse, their visits cannot be frequent, so that without the aid of the books they distribute, their toilsome, itinerant labor would render but little fruit. The seed sown from the lips of the preacher, even when falling on a prepared and productive soil, germinates once, and then dies ; while the seed sown from the leaves of the book, possesses unlimited germinant powers, and springs up again and again, with no loss of vitality. It falls, per- haps first, in the heart of a thoughtless and prayerless father, and a promising blade is seen in growing sobriety and amendment of life ; but this may be checked by the weeds of a worldly spirit, or eaten out by corroding cares. The book is still there ; its leaves are turned by the mother, and the seed, conveyed to her heart, produces the fruit of holy living ; and the house which heretofore was a school of iniquity, is now a school of religious instruction, and children are taught the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom. Multiplied instances of such an occurrence are witnessed by Colporteurs, and furnish a cheering proof that this method of propagating the Gospel is stamped with the seal of divine approbation. 114. Colportage Established in Sweden. " In accordance with instructions given at your last anni- versary, the Board took early measures to provide for the establishment of a system of Colportage in Sweden. So 262 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. soon as the books and tracts deemed useful for the com- mencement of the work in that country had been prepared, Rev. Andreas Wiberg, a native of Sweden, was put in commission as Missionary Colporteur, to locate in Stock- holm. His commission dates July 1st, 1855. He did not sail, however, until the 8th of September following. The Board thought it best that he should have opportunity to extend his acquaintance among his American brethren, and, at the same time, to awaken an interest in some of the churches on behalf of his mission. He arrived in Stockholm, with his companion, on the 1th of November, having spent a few days on the way with the brethren in Hamburg. On the same day in which he arrived, he found the disciples convened for worship, and without delay proceeded to break to them the bread of life. It is cause of rejoicing and praise, that while the rural dis- tricts, and places remote from the seat of government, are greatly harassed by the spirit of persecution, Brother Wiberg has been allowed to preach in the capital with little or no molestation. The court-preacher even entered their meeting, and quietly withdrew, after reading a bitter phil- ippic, from the writings of Luther, against the Anabaptists. On the 14th of November, a week after the arrival of Brother Wiberg in Stockholm, eleven persons were added to the church by baptism, and the church was rendered more complete in its organization by the election of officers. Three more have been added since by baptism. There are now four churches of our faith in that kingdom, and the number of baptized believers exceeds five hundred. Four additional Colporteurs were appointed upon the recommendation of Brother Wiberg, and entered on their work, in different parts of the kingdom, at the commence- ment of the present year. Their first quarterly report has not yet come to hand. At last accounts from that field, March tth, our brethren were threatened with a renewal COLPORTAGE ESTABLISHED IN SWEDEN. 263 of violent persecution. Brother Hejdenberg, whose letter from prison awakened such lively interest at our last Anni- versary, was again imprisoned for holding conventicles and preaching the Gospel, in contravention of law. The word of God is not bound, if its teachers are ; on the contrary, their meek and patient endurance in the cause of Christ and humanity, adds force to their teaching, and redounds to the glory of God. Fines and imprisonment utterly fail to dampen the zeal or repress the courage of our brethren : they brave the storm in the martyr-spirit of primitive Christians. Twice the number of Colporteurs now in commission would be glad to receive an appointment, had we the means to sustain them. Shall we remember our brethren, now fighting the battle in Sweden, for freedom of conscience and freedom of worship, and help them, in this their day of adversity ? Since our Anniversary, intelligence of a very cheering character has been received from Sweden. The cause of evangelical religion is spreading with extraordinary ra- pidity. In spite of opposition from the police, stimulated by the clergy of the Establishment, the people assemble to hear the Gospel from the lips of our Colporteurs. Con- gregations ranging from two to five hundred persons, and sometimes as many as a thousand, are gathered together on week days, in the open air, and listen with eagerness to the message of life. This spirit of deep and anxious in- quiry is not confined to one or two localities, but is widely difused through different provinces, from East- Gothland, in the south, to West-Norland, in the north. An irrepressible desire prevails to hear the word. The Bible and other religious books are sought with avidity, and searched with diligence, and very many believe. Even in the capital, our brethren have been called upon, once and again, to defend their principles, in public discussions with the State clergy ; and, in proof of the interest felt in the subject, it is said 264 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. that no less than two thousand persons, embracing a great number of the clergy and other people of rank, attended these meetings. Brethren Wiberg and Mullersvord, the joint pastors of the church in Stockholm, hold seven preaching services each week ; and although they occupy a large hall, they are straitened for room to accommodate their hearers. Under the editorial supervision of Bro. Wiberg, a semi-monthly paper, called the Evangelist, has been issued since the first of this year. It has already attained a circulation of one thousand copies, and bids fair to become a potent auxiliary in the work of evangelization. The press is also employed in issuing tracts, from the duplicate plates furnished to Bro. Wiberg on his leaving this country. Thousands of these tracts are being constantly scattered among the people, with the happiest results. Indeed, this seems to have been the most marked instrumentality, for years past, in this won- derful awakening. One of the brethren, writing to Bro. Wiberg, some time since, says: 'Of the prevailing craving in our country for the word of God, we may form some opinion by the following facts : I have already distributed this year, 25,000 copies of " Come to Jesus ;" between 40 and 50,000 of the writings of Kyle and other authors; nearly 50,000 writings for children, and about 30,000 tracts. Bibles and Testaments are sold faster than they can be printed, and of these we are always lacking. Is not this a token for good? Yea, the" Lord shows himself powerful in our days !" Rev. P. G. Hejdenberg has been greatly persecuted, and still more greatly blessed in his work, during the past autumn and winter. Summoned to appear before different courts, in distant parts of the country, no less than five times fined, and at one time imprisoned for twenty-nine days, he has, nevertheless, labored unintermittingly in preaching, though preaching and administering the ordi- RESOLUTIONS. 265 nances constitute the sum of his offenses. He preaches in prison, thongh imprisoned for preaching. During his journeys from court to court, from August to April, he traveled 2418 miles, held 144 religious meetings, and bap- tized 116 converts. In reviewing the whole, Bro. H. says : ' When I look back on all the way by which the Lord has led me, I am constrained to exclaim, with great thankful- ness, "Behold what the Lord has wrought!"' Nas Per Person has baptized 10 at Orsa, and Bro. Wiberg 14 in Stockholm, making a total of baptisms from August to April, of 140 souls. Well may the persecuted Colporteurs say, ' BEHOLD WHAT THE LORD HAS WROUGHT !' " "~~ Resolutions. After the reading of the Annual Report whose import- ance seems to justify and even to demand the copious ex- tracts we have given above, bringing up the History of the Society to the present moment, the very crisis of a new epoch of union, grandeur, and strength it was, on motion of Rev. D. Dunbar, not only adopted and ordered to be printed, but the momentous part on the Enlargement of the Permanent Capital of the Society, was referred to a Committee, to consider and report upon in the afternoon. The Committee of five were, H. II. Hawley, Esq., Rev. D. H. Miller, and Rev. E. T. Hiscox, all of N. Y. ; Rev. A. S. Patton, of N. J., and Rev. Dr. Belcher, of Pa. Com- mittees were also raised on the topics of Home Colportage and Foreign Colportage. The Committee on the Enlargement of Capital, made a Report, embodying the following Resolution ; which, after a free conference of opinion in the meeting, was unani- mously adopted : "Resolved, That we cordially approve the proposal to 23 ,>-.. 266 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. raise the sura of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ; not more than Thirty Thousand to be appropriated to build- ings, and the remaining Seventy Thousand to constitute a Publication Capital for this Society; and that we earnestly commend this object to the wealthy members of our de- nomination, and urge its speedy accomplishment." The Committee on Home Colportage reported ; submit- ing the following Resolution, which was unanimously adopted : " Resolved, That the number of Colporteurs employed by this Society during the past year, should, if possible, be increased to two hundred the present." The Committee on Foreign Colportage, reported, and recommended the following resolutions, which were unani- mously adopted : " 1. Resolved, That we cherish devout gratitude to the great Head of the Church for the signal blessings which have been bestowed upon us and all his people, in the con- version of souls throughout the kingdom of Sweden ; and for the spiritual efficiency, constancy, and devotedness which He has imparted to our Colporteurs there laboring. " 2. Resolved, That, encouraged by present blessings, the Board be recommended to take steps for the immediate increase of the number of its Colporteurs in Sweden, and other parts of the world." The officers for the year were then chosen, without any important change. In the evening, interesting Addresses were delivered by Rev. H. C. Fish, of Newark, N. Jersey, and Rev. G. W. Sampson, of Washington, D. C. The following resolution was submitted by Rev. Dr. Dowling, at the close of the evening, and unanimously adopted : "Resolved, That the American Baptist Publication Society bv the importance of the objects it proposes to CONCLUSION. 267 accomplish by the wise adaptation of the means and agencies it employs and by the rigid economy of its ad- ministration, warmly commends itself to the confidence and co-operation of the great body of American Baptists ; and should receive, as it deserves, largely increased facilities, in ample buildings, augmented capital, and increased annual contributions, for its great and important work." 116. Conclusion. One general conclusion, it would seem, must be drawn by every reflecting mind, in reviewing this History. That conclusion is, that the American Baptist Publication So- ciety has already been the medium of incalculable good that it possesses, in its nature, a power of unlimited exten- sion that it might have accomplished, with the same Officers and Agents, incomparably more good with an adequate capital from the beginning that the want of this capital has been the only drawback on its enterprise, the only occasion of reproach, the only source of distress, em- barrassment and retrenchment; and that when the De- nomination shall become properly aware of this, and shall liberally endow it with adequate means, it will, by the blessing of God, go forth with new power and glory to build up the kingdom of Christ. Then shall this Society, the property and the pride of our whole denomination, rise to its true position central and conspicuous like the Angel of the Apocalypse, with his face as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire, with one foot upon the land and the other upon the sea, and with an open book in his hand. Then shall it lift up among the nations a voice of majesty and power, as when a lion roareth ; and the responses from an awakened and redeemed world shall be sevenfold, as when seven thunders utter their voices. ADVERTISEMENT. ALTHOUGH negotiations had been in progress for several months, prior to the last Annual Meeting of the Society, for the purchase of the stock of stereotype plates, copy- rights, &c., of the New England Sabbath-School Union, with a view to the merging of that Institution in the American Baptist Publication Society, the arrangement was not consummated until the month following the Anni- versary. The Board therefore directed that the following notice of the fact be published as an Appendix. APPENDIX. THE NEW ENGLAND SABBATH-SCHOOL UNION MERGED IN THE AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, THE needless multiplication of benevolent societies is justly regarded as a serious evil, and ought to be carefully avoided. In this day of active charity and enterprise, the churches may not be blamed for showing signs of restlessness and chafing when called to bear unnecessary burdens. May not the discontent and coldness, the apathy, distrust and threatened ruptures, so manifest among us within the last few years, owe their origin, in part at least, to a conviction, fastening itself upon the public mind, that we employ too much machinery in carrying on our operations ; and that a more simple method might be found, which, at a less cost of men and money, would give to all our movements increased celerity and power. "Whatever may be said of other institutions, distinct in charac- ter, dissimilar in functions, and having different spheres and fields of operation, no one, we think, can doubt the wisdom of the mea- sure which blends, in one, two institutions so like in character, in agency, in aim, as those whose names are here given. Why should two men be sent upon an errand which can be better done by one ? Why should two ships be chartered to carry the same kind of cargo to the same port, when the capacity of one is more than ample to carry all ? Did the New England Sabbath-school Union make books for Sunday-Schools? This is an essential part of our work. Did it send out Missionary Colporteurs? (269) 270 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. We claim the honor of being the first American Society which used that designation for book-selling agents. Did it employ collecting agents to visit the churches, and raise funds for the support of Colportage ? "We do the same. Thus two sets of agents crossed each other's path, or, peradventure, met at the same place on the same errand, and for that reason more than any other, were both unwelcome ; while on the other hand two sets of Colporteurs met on the same field, supplying Sunday- schools with books, and families with tracts and other reading. This was so obviously a waste of talent, time and resources, that an anxious desire has long been felt to see a union effected between these two Societies. As early as 1840, when in answer to a call from the Hudson River Baptist Association, and the Board of the Baptist General Tract Society, a Convention as- sembled in the city of New York, to deliberate in regard to our publishing interests, among the measures then recommended, upon the report of a Committee composed of members from seventeen different States of the Union, the following were the principal : first, " That the Baptist General Tract Society so far change its character, as to adapt it to the purposes of a General Publishing Society;" and second, "That a union be formed between this Society and the New England Sabbath- School Union." On that same day, April 30th, 1840, the first of these recommendations was promptly carried into effect, and the Baptist General Tract Society was changed into the American Baptist Publication Society. The second was not adopted. In 1848 an overture for union was made by the Board of this Society, and was regarded with favor by the Board of the Sab- bath-School Union. An active correspondence ensued, and in the spring of 1850 negotiations were brought within sight of a hopeful conclusion ; but owing to causes not needful now to detail, the wished for event was not realized, and the hopes then cherished faded away from the view. During last summer the attention of the Board was drawn again to this subject, by the receipt of several letters, express- ing the belief that the renewal of negotiations was strongly de- sired by our friends in New England, and if tendered would meet with a cordial response. Correspondence was accordingly UNION OF SOCIETIES. 2Y1 opened. It was soon ascertained, however, that previous to this the Union had sold its entire stock to a private publishing house, and that a third party must now be included in the nego- tiations. This rendered the matter somewhat complex and deli- cate. Nevertheless, no insuperable barrier was placed in the way, as the gentlemen holding the stock were disposed to favor the plan of uniting the two Societies, and were willing to give their concurrence to any measures compatible with a due respect to their private interests. The details of the compact are. not required to be given here. Suffice it to say that the Board have purchased, at the appraisement of a Committee of disinterested persons, mutually chosen, the entire stock of Sunday-school plates, engravings, copyrights, &c., and have embraced the New England Sabbath-School Union as part and parcel of the Ameri- can Baptist Publication Society. This union forms a new epoch. May we not hope that now, having but one simple organization, the strength of our churches will be brought into harmonious co-operation, in wielding the Press for the spread of our principles, and that the blessing of God may rest on the work of our hands, to the praise of his glory 272 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. THE CONSTITUTION. As Amended in 1855. ART. 1. The name of this Society shall be "THE AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY." ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be to publish and circulate such religious works as, in the judgment of the Board of Managers, may be required by the cause of Truth and sound piety, and by the interests of Sabbath- schools. ART. 3. Any person may become a Member of this Society by paying, annually, the sum of Two Dollars or more ; a Member for Life, by the payment at one time of Twenty Dollars ; and an Honorary Manager for Life, by the payment at one time of Fifty Dollars. ART. 4. There shall be a public Anniversary Meeting of the Society, at such time, in the month of April or May of each year, and at such place, as shall be appointed by the Board of Managers, when the following officers shall be chosen by ballot, viz : a President, Yice-Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and twenty- one other Members, all of whom shall be members of Baptist Churches, who, together, shall be a Board of Man- agers, for the direction of all the concerns of the Society, of whom five shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the Board shall be laymen. ART. 5. The Board of Managers shall have power to fill any vacancy which may occur in its own body ; to make its own by-laws ; to appoint Agents and Colporteurs ; to appoint a Committee of Publication, of not less than five, whose duty it shall be carefully to examine all works pro- posed for publication by the Society, preparatory to their being committed to the Editor ; to appoint a Commitee of Finance, who shall superintend the Depository, direct all THE CONSTITUTION. 273 purchases, take charge of the Society's property, devise and execute plans to increase the stock, and to superintend all agencies ; and to appoint a Committee of- Accounts, who shall examine and correct all bills and accounts, pre- vious to their being submitted to the Board ; examine and audit all the account books, and perform all other duties as the Board may direct. ART. 6. The Board of Managers shall superintend the publication and distribution of such Books, Tracts and Periodicals as they may approve, the establishment of Depositories, and the formation of Auxiliary Societies. They shall hold frequent meetings, under such regulations as they may adopt, in conformity with the general provi- sions of this Constitution. The Board of Managers and the Treasurer shall make an Annual Report of their pro- ceedings. ART. 7. Any Sunday-school Union, or Society, or any Publication, or Tract Society, by forwarding to the Cor- responding Secretary a copy of their Annual Report, with their Constitution and List of Officers, shall be considered an Auxiliary. The Board may grant special privileges to other Societies if they deem it expedient. Auxiliary So- cieties shall be allowed, and are requested to send one delegate to the Annual Meeting of this Society, to repre- sent them, who shall have the privilege of a member. ART. 8. Honorary Managers, Life Members, Annual Members, and Auxiliary Societies, shall be entitled to purchase the Publications of the Society, at reduced prices. ART. 9. The duties of the Secretaries shall be assigned to them by the Board of Managers. ART. 10. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, shall give to the President, for the time being, satisfactory security for the safe keeping of the funds committed to them. The Assistant Treasurer may receive funds and pay the same to the Treasurer, and shall be Depository 2*74 AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. Agent to the Society. The Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall be under the direction of the Board of Managers, who shall have power to displace either or both if necessary, and appoint a new Treasurer or Assist- ant Treasurer to fill a vacancy in either office. ART. 11. The President shall call a meeting of the 'So- ciety at the request of the Board of Managers. ART. 12. Alterations of this Constitution proposed at a previous Annual Meeting, or recommended by the Board of Managers, may be made at the Annual Meeting by the vote of two-thirds of the Members present. HISTORICAL TABLE. 2T5 jlication st> M134197 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY