CHAPTER 21 THE WESTERN METHODIST BOOK CONCERN

CHAPTER 21 THE WESTERN METHODIST BOOK CONCERN A sketch of the history of this institution, so intimately connected with the interests of Methodism in the west, should perhaps have been embraced in our sketch of the origin and progress of Methodism in Cincinnati; but as the Western Book Concern never has been, and never was designed to be local in its operations, but to embrace the entire west and south in the sphere of its labors, we have thought it more appropriate to assign to it a separate chapter. The General conference of 1787, having founded a Book Concern in Philadelphia, the proceeds of which were appropriated mostly to the establishment of Cokesbury College and district schools, and which underwent changes and modifications, from time to time, in its policy, till it was removed to New York in 1804, finally determined to devote the most of the profits to the enlargement of the Concern and the increasing of the facilities for the manufacture of books. Accordingly, in the year 1820, it was resolved that a branch should be located in Cincinnati, for the purpose of supplying the conferences west of the mountains with Methodist books. The books from New York were at that time wagoned to Philadelphia, and from thence to Pittsburg, where they were shipped on the Ohio river for Cincinnati.

If about the time of which we are writing, an individual had been passing along Elm-street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, he would have seen, on the corner of Elm and Fifth streets, a small office, over the door of which he could have read, on a small, rude sign, "Methodist Book Room." And it was a "room," sure enough; for in its fifteen by twenty capacity, great operations were performed. Like the log-cabins of our fathers, in which the kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, chamber, and parlor were all in one, this "Book Room" comprised the depository, packing-room, counting-room, and Agent’s office. It was also, to some extent, like the present Book Room, a kind of preacher’s exchange. But, as we were going to say, had the individual we have supposed passing along been disposed to have looked within, he would have found a plain but intelligent looking man behind the counter, or at the desk, or bending over a box of books which he might have been packing or unpacking, ready to receive and wait upon him with words of kindness, proceeding from an open, generous heart. That man was Martin Ruter, afterward President of Allegheny College and the master spirit of the Texas pioneers, where he labored, suffered, and died, giving up his martyr spirit into the hands of the great Savior, who called him away from the halls of learning to traverse the wilds of Texas, and lay the foundations of the Church in that infant republic. But to return from our digression. In that small store, had the inquiry been made, there might have been found the works of Wesley, Fletcher, Clarke, and Coke, together with the Journals of Asbury and the Hymn-Book and Discipline. There, also, he might have subscribed for the Christian Advocate and Zion’s Herald; and, had he desired to have become more intimately acquainted with the condition and prospects of the Church, he might have obtained a copy of the General Minutes. But stay, gentle reader, we are a little too fast. The oldest Book Agent now living is here by our side, and he will correct us by telling you that if you purchased any of these books, you were obliged to do it on the wholesale principle, as the idea of a retail sales room was not thought of in that day. Whenever an individual member of the Church in the vicinity wished to obtain either of the books named, he would call at or send a message to the house of brother Ruter, close by the Book Room, where it could be had.

Such was the Western Book Concern in the year 1820, thirty-four years ago. What it has been since, and through all the progressive stages of its development till the present time, we shall endeavor briefly to describe. At first it was a mere depository, not even regarded as a branch of the parent Concern at New York, and, of course, it was neither expected nor desired that it should engage in the publication of any books. All that was published by Dr. Ruter, during his connection with the Concern, was a Scriptural Catechism and Primer; but these were on his own individual responsibility. Under all the embarrassing circumstances in which he was called to carry on the business, the Doctor managed it well; and, though the total receipts for the first year did not amount to as much as is now received sometimes in a few days, being little over four thousand dollars, yet, considering the times, it was a pretty good business. At that the there was a specific rule in the Discipline which rendered an Agent ineligible to re-election after he had been serving in that office eight years. Dr. Ruter’s term having expired by limitation in 1828, the General conference, which was held at Pittsburg, elected the Rev. Charles Holliday as Agent of the Concern in Cincinnati. As the successor of Dr. Ruter, he set himself to work to make himself acquainted with the business, which, though at that time was not very intricate, still required some knowledge of the book business. Besides, at that time there were no clerks who had grown up in the establishment, like the Messrs. Kilbreth, Phillips, and Doughty, and others, to whom the Agents could look for information; and, hence, they had to begin with the A B C of the Concern, and study out its policy and operations as opportunity presented and as circumstances might require. In process of time it became necessary to remove the Book Room to another place, and, accordingly, brother Holliday rented a house on George-street, between Race and Elm, and appropriated the front room for the storage and package of ’books and every thing else’ belonging to the establishment.

After occupying this location for upward of two years, it was thought best to make another removal, and the Concern was accordingly removed to the west side of Walnut, between Third and Fourth streets, in a stone building, which is still standing, on the north-west corner of Baker and Walnut Streets, Mr. Henry Shaffer, who is still living in Cincinnati, being a clerk. Greater facilities were afforded here for carrying on the operations, as it was in a more business part of the city. The Concern occupied this location till the General conference of 1882, when it was determined that its operations should be enlarged by the appointment of two Agents and the removal to a still more conspicuous part of the city, and one more favorable to business facilities. Accordingly, the Rev. C. Holliday was re-elected Principal and the Rev. John F. Wright Assistant Book Agent, and the establishment was again removed, to the west side of Main-street, a few doors above Sixth-street, in a storehouse owned by Josiah Lawrence, Esq. Here the operations of the Concern were greatly enlarged, and its efficiency in supplying the western and southern country with Methodist literature became apparent to all. The demand for Hymn-Books and Disciplines, particularly, having greatly increased, and it being difficult at all times to supply this demand, in consequence of the difficulty connected with the modes of transportation, it was determined to publish these works in the west, which, in due time, was done, the HymnBook being the first book published by authority. In the spring of the year 1834 the publication of the Western Christian Advocate was commenced at the Concern, and the Rev. Thomas A. Morris was appointed Editor. This paper has been increasing its patronage subscription list from that time, during all the periods of its history, to the present day. No Church paper in the country has been more popular, or received a more extensive patronage, and had a greater circulation, than the Western Christian Advocate. But more of this anon. In the year 1880 the General conference struck out of the Discipline the provision which limited the office of Book Agent to eight years, and the Agents of the Western Book Concern were not required to act any longer in a subordinate capacity to the New York Concern, but to "co-operate with them." They were also authorized to publish any book in the General Catalogue when, in their judgment and that of the Book Committee, it would be advantageous to the interests of the Church; provided that they should not publish type editions of such books as were stereotyped at New York. The conference also appointed an Assistant Editor of the Western Christian Advocate. The persons elected were Rev. Charles Elliott, D. D., Principal, and Rev. William Phillips, Assistant Editor. The Book Agents were also authorized, with the advice and consent of the Book Committee, to procure a lot of ground, and erect thereon suitable buildings for a printing office, Book Room, and bindery; and for that end they were allowed to appropriate such moneys in their hands as they could spare from the Concern, together with any donations that might be made for that purpose in the west. At this conference Rev. J. P. Wright was elected Principal and Rev. L. Swormstedt, Assistant Agent. After much consultation, a lot on the corner of Eighth and Main streets, known as the St. Clair property, on which stood the mansion of General St. Clair, surrounded by lofty trees, was selected as the site. In its day this was regarded as a princely mansion, and even yet it presents the appearance of a venerable old pile. Around it, could its history be written, might doubtless be gathered many thrilling recollections of olden time. Here, doubtless, many a levee and soiree has been held by the officers of old Fort Washington and the army of General St. Clair. It stood back upward of a hundred feet from Main-street, in the center of the lot, and hence it was not necessary to remove it for the buildings which were to be erected. But more of this mansion hereafter.

Preparations were made as soon as possible for putting up the necessary buildings, and a printing office, in due course of time, was erected, on the rear of the lot, four stories high, and sufficiently large for all the purposes of printing. The first book printed and published by the Concern from manuscript was Phillips’s Strictures, the publication of which was ordered by the Ohio conference. We have already made an allusion to this work in our sketch of its author. The next work was the Wyandott Mission, which was followed by Morris’s Sermons, Life of Roberts, Power on Universalism, Tomlinson’s Millennium, Shaffer on Baptism, History of German Missions, House’s Sketches, Memoir of Mrs. Sears, Anecdotes of Wesley, Prison Life, History of Methodist Episcopal Missions, Ohio Conference Offering, Butler’s Analogy with Analysis, Objections to Calvinism, Carroll’s Exposition, Morris’s Miscellany, Domestic Piety, Memoir of Gurley, Life of Quinn, Larrabee’s Evidences, Life of Collins, American Slavery, Wesley and his Coadjutors, Letters to School Girls, Lorrain’s Sea-Sermons, Miley on Class Meetings, Life and Times of Wiley, Autobiography of Finley, Positive Theology, Asbury and his Coadjutors, Life of Gatch, etc. We may not have given these in the exact order of time in which they were published; but it is sufficient to answer all the purposes of a sketch, and the reader can see what has been done since 1836 in the publication of original works. Besides these, numerous reprints, both English and German, in the latter of which are several original publications, and a large number of pamphlets and tracts, too numerous to mention, have been issued from time to time. For many of the reprints duplicate stereotype plates were received from the Concern in New York. In the year 1889 a charter for the Western Book Concern was obtained from the Legislature of Ohio. In the year 1840 the Rev. J. F. Wright was re-elected, and Rev. L. Swormstedt continued Assistant Agent, at which time the Agents were authorized to publish a monthly periodical adapted to the ladies. This work was commenced in January, 1841, with the title of "Ladies’ Repository and Gatherings of the West;" and Rev. L. L. Hamline, Assistant Editor of the Advocate, was appointed its Editor. The Agents also had authority to publish any book which had not previously been published by the Agents at New York, when in their judgment, and that of the Book Committee, the demand for such publication would justify, and the interest of the Church required it. They were, however, prohibited from reprinting any of the larger works, such as the Commentaries, quarto Bibles, etc. They were also authorized to publish such books and tracts as were recommended by the General conference, and any new works which the editors should approve, and the Book Committee and annual conference recommend. This year a German paper, for the benefit of the German Methodists, was established at Cincinnati, entitled Der Christliche Apologete, and the Rev. William Nest was elected Editor. The Agents were also, by a rule passed at this conference, required to remit to the Agents at New York, as largely and frequently as their funds would allow, and to the full amount of stock furnished, if practicable. They were also required to remit all surplus funds not required for carrying on the business, to be added to the profits of the Concern at New York. In process of time a lot adjoining the St. Clair mansion was purchased, and after the Book Concern proper was erected, a large four-story building was placed upon it, which is occupied by stores, the rent of which yields a handsome income. The entire lot, on which stand both of the buildings, is upward of one hundred feet, fronting on Main-street, and runs entirely back to the alley, inclosed on Eighth-street, from the Book Room to the printing office, by a high brick wall. The main building is upward of fifty feet front, and upward of a hundred feet deep, six stories high, two having been added the past year. The first floor in front is divided into a large salesroom and clerks’ offices, in the rear of which is the office of the Agents. Immediately in the rear of the sales-room is a private room, fitted up with great neatness, for the Book Committee, or the transaction of any business connected with the Concern. In one side of this room has been built a substantial brick vault, with iron doors, for the safe-keeping of the account-books, etc. In the rear of the front rooms is the packing department, which extends the whole width of the building. On the second floor, over the front rooms, is the depository for the books of the General Catalogue, and the Sunday school publications are in the rear, as also the German publications and tracts. The rooms on the third floor are occupied by three embossing-presses, which are worked and heated by steam from the boiler under the yard of the printing office. In this room there are thirteen hands constantly employed. The fourth story is also occupied with the bindery, in which there are sixteen hands. The fifth story, which is exclusively occupied by females, under the superintendence of Mr. White, is devoted to those branches of the business included in the bindery appropriate to females, such as folding, sewing, stitching, gathering, collating, etc. In this department there are thirty-six girls. The sixth story is a general depository for stock. The whole establishment is heated with steam, which is conducted through pipes from the boiler all through the building. The first story is lighted with gas, which is often necessary during dark days, of which there are many in Cincinnati. The whole establishment has recently undergone a most complete and thorough repair and remodeling, and every department is reduced to a system of operations which would compare favorably with any similar establishment. The number of clerks employed at present in the Book Room is eight, beside two or three in the mailing department. The whole number of hands in the bindery, exclusive of the foreman, Mr. Vandewater, is sixty-four, of which twenty-eight are males and thirty-six are females.

We now come to describe the printing office; but before doing so, as it is on our way, we will ask our reader to pass with us out of the Book Room, on Mainstreet, and, turning to the right, enter with us an avenue between the last-mentioned place and the building appropriated to stores, which will conduct us to the old mansion, alluded to above. A fire having recently occurred in an adjoining building, which destroyed part of the roof of the "mansion," the heavy and elaborately-wrought cornice which once ornamented this ancient building has been removed, and the walls ran up, the better to protect the building from such accidents in future. Before us is the spacious double doorway, in front of which is the massy door-stone, which has been pressed by the feet of many who have long since been gathered to the tomb. At the left, on entering, you will discover over the door, "Library." This room is nicely fitted up with cases for books on all sides; and here may be found a large, and, in some respects, rare and curious library. Many an ancient tome of Latin and Greek, over which the "old man learned" has pored, in the days when tied to the linguistic chair in college, or searching for the doctrines and rites of the Tridentine councils, that he might present to the world a true delineation of the Mother of Harlots or the Man of Sin. But this library is not rich in patristic lore alone; it embraces the whole range of Biblical literature, and a considerable of what may be called general and polite. The rooms on the right are occupied by Mr. Boyd, a gentleman connected with the Concern, while the rear below is occupied by the faithful Charles, the messenger. Let us now ascend the ancient stairway. Two flights and we reach the landing, in front of which is the room occupied by the Editor of the Ladies’ Repository, Rev. D. W. Clark, D. D. To look at the Doctor’s case, which stands to the left there, against the wall, with pigeon-boxes labeled to receive exchange periodicals, such as quarterlies and monthlies, and the most of which seem to be occupied, you would think the organ of order was strongly developed; and it may be for aught we know; but if you will cast a glance at his table you would be led to infer almost any thing else. Perhaps, like ourself, he is a great lover of order, but can’t take the time always to put his odds and ends to rights. He is, however, quite good-natured, and, though he don’t like to be bored much, yet will not become nervous and lose his balance at our prying looks. You will perceive, however, that he has a sanguine temperament, and it won’t do to try him too much; so we will pass into the next apartment.

It would be well enough, in passing, to say, that the Doctor is winning golden honors for the Repository, as the increase in the subscription list will abundantly show. This narrow room is occupied by Dr. Nast, the Editor of the Apologist, and the apostle of the Germans. There seems to be a German air diffused all around this apartment. The Doctor is at his desk writing an editorial, or perhaps translating, or it may be poring over German and Latin Commentaries, for the purpose of consulting authorities in making his Exposition. He is a kind, good-natured man, a fine scholar, and an earnest, evangelical preacher. His books, his papers, his assistant, and his very stove and table, all seem to be German; and, as we don’t understand his language, let us go into the next room. On the right there, sitting on that rocking-chair, with one shoe off, and the other slip-shod, with a pile of old manuscripts and papers, and a stray old book or two, lying on the table in glorious confusion, sits Dr. Elliott. See how incessantly he nods and shakes his massy head as he reads on, with his spectacles on the top of his head! He is not angry nor excited, though he thus frowns and shakes his head; for he is good-natured and clever, but he is deeply engaged and interested. He is an intellectual giant; and though he looks rough and unpolished in regard to his personnel, yet, like the lumbering roadwagon of olden time, he bears a precious freight — all bullion. Do you see on the left there, standing by a desk, with several slips of paper with different headings lying before him, and the latest papers, a foot or two thick, neatly piled up on the table beside him; a pale, attenuated-looking young man? In one hand is a pen, and in the other — fearing some official will carry them off — is clutched with nervous energy a pair of long, sharp pointed scissors. Well, that is the Assistant Editor, to whom you are indebted for all the news-items, general and local, in, the Advocate, appropriately arranged in the different departments. Poor House! he goes frequently to the gymnasium, on Third-street, besides walking to the side of Mt. Auburn twice a day, and preaching on Sabbath; but, notwithstanding all this exercise, he looks cadaverous and pale, as though he had been for years shut out from the light of day, in some monastic cell, engaged day and night with the pen. He bears it all, however, with great patience; and there, in his long, office-gown, from Monday morn till Saturday night, he stands like Patience on a monument. But we must leave these editors alone in their glory. We will now go down the private stairway, and enter the printing office in the yard of which you will see a brick building for wetting and pressing paper. On the first floor of the printing establishment are four Adams presses and one cylinder press; on which are printed the Advocate, Ladies’ Repository, Apologist, Sunday School Advocate, and the various books of the Concern. These presses are fed mostly by girls. There are in this room eight hands. In the room above the mailing of all the Church periodicals is performed by seven hands. On the left is the German composing-room, with three or four hands. Above this, on the third floor, are the composing-rooms, in which, including the foreman of the establishment, Mr. R. P. Thompson, there are from twelve to fifteen compositors. The fourth floor is the drying and pressing department, in which there is one hydraulic and one screw press. Here there are three hands. In one corner of this room, partitioned off; is a smaller one, occupied by Mr. Gale, the very correct proof-reader for the Concern, to whom many a blunderer in orthography, etymology, syntax, prosody, and punctuation is indebted for making him appear respectable in the world of letters. Adjoining the printing office is a building erected for the carpenter, Mr. Hand, who is constantly employed in the manufacture of boxes, and in making repairs about the establishment. At the other end of the printing office is a building containing two vaults, in which are deposited the stereotype plates. With your permission, gentle reader, we will pass out on Eighth-street, and return to the Book Room. We are not through yet. We wish to introduce you to the Agents, which, perhaps, we ought to have done first; but we can do that just as well now as at any other time, perhaps. They are, however, generally known, having to travel pretty extensively over the continent, in visiting the conferences for the purpose of collecting the debts due the Concern. The Rev. L. Swormstedt, the senior Agent, who has been so many years connected with the Concern, we will find in his office at the desk, looking over the letters received pertaining to all the business connected with the establishment, and which are quite numerous every day. So large a Concern requires his unremitting attention. Before introducing you, we will relate what was said of him by one of the Commissioners who went with him to Pittsburg in 1853, and furnished a description of his colleagues. Here it is:

"Our other friend is, in fullness and rotundity of person, somewhat like Falstaff. He seems to live in comfort; and so commanding is his person that he passes almost every-where for a bishop. He preaches with power; his enunciation is distinct; every word comes out like a dollar from the mint; he often utters strong thought, and never, I think, drops a foolish remark. He has great energy of character; he perseveres through all difficulties, and makes everything bow before him. When he commenced his ministerial career he was a slender, fair-haired youth, neat in his appearance and gentlemanly in his manners. He had been a merchant clerk. Early in his itineracy he was placed upon a circuit which did not pay the preacher. The amount due was estimated and divided among the different classes; the year rolled round, and the money was not collected. At a certain appointment was a large class. After preaching he detained it, and asked the leader how much was collected; and finding a large deficit, he stationed the leader at the door, and ordered him to let no one out till the whole amount due was paid.

Taking the class-book, he commenced calling the names, and insisted on immediate payment of something from every one. Excuses were made at first; but the resolution of the preacher was not to be resisted, and there was a wonderful whispering and borrowing of change. Having gone through, a deficit was still remaining, and the names were called over again. Seeing the difficulty of the operation, one of the bystanders who were outside the cabin school-house, put his hand through a pane of glass, and offered the preacher fifty cents. ’That will not do,’ he cried; ’you can not pay the way of these people to heaven.’ Having gone through a second time, there was still something due. The outsider again presented himself at the broken pane with his half dollar, and so pressed the preacher that he took it, but observed that he should put it in the collection — that it could not be credited to the class — and then proceeded with the third call, which was an effectual one. I need not say that he was — as he deserved to be — paid. For many years the Church has wisely availed herself of his abilities as a collector and financier. With all his sternness and strength of character, he is noted for his generosity and kindness of heart. His house is the home of domestic comfort, well-ordered children, and hearty welcomes: his purse is always open, his ear attentive to the voice of distress, and his tongue ever ready to make confession if he finds himself in error. He is one of the few men who, with great capacities and facilities to enrich themselves, have chosen rather to serve the Church." From the above description, one would think he would make an admirable Agent, at least so far as the collection of money was concerned; and woe betide you if you happen to find yourself at conference a delinquent to the Book Concern, without the needful to meet the demands. He seems to know no man after the flesh, but will ask you, at the conference room, if you have not already been to see him, and made payment or given your note, to walk up to his room and settle your account accordingly. We have more than once encountered him, and if we did not know that beneath all this seemingly-rough and threatening exterior, there was a kind and generous heart, we should have set him down as one of the most stern and unyielding men in the world. Still, we have very often thought he could get along quite as successfully if he were to put on a little more of the suaviter in modo. God has not constituted all men alike, however; and it is a blessed thing that he has not, as it would not do in nature to have no rough places. The overhanging, craggy rock is relieved by the peaceful vale which smiles in beauty at its base, and the storm-cloud, with its fierce lightning and hoarse thunder, only makes more pleasant and delightful the calm, when clouds and storms have passed away. The Church could not well do without Swormstedt. Having been for so long a time engaged in the business of the Book Concern, he has acquired a thorough knowledge of all its departments and the general detail of business connected with each. We think him admirably qualified for the post which he occupies, and if it must needs be that the agency be confined to the itinerant ranks, we do not think the interests of the Concern could be better attended to or its business carried on by a more efficient Agent than is the present incumbent. We are of the opinion that the policy of removing Agents just for the sake of rotation in office, is a very questionable policy, to say the least of it, and especially where such a responsible and complicated business is concerned. No man, however great his business tact or qualifications, can enter upon such an agency, and become fully acquainted with its duties short of one term; and when we consider that the habits of preachers are such as to lead the mind away from the commerce of the world, it can not be expected, in the very nature of the case, that they could hope to be qualified for such a post so short a time. Hence, when integrity and ability are found to exist in those who are already employed in this department of the Church, it certainly is the most safe and judicious to continue them in office, and not remove them for any slight and transient causes, or simply from the desire of promotion to office.

Before describing the Assistant, that gigantic athlete who sits yonder by the desk in the packing room, making an entry of a bill of books, we will go back and describe the old Agent, J. F. Wright, who is now the presiding elder of the East Cincinnati district, and who resides in a most lovely mansion on one of the beautiful slopes of Mount Auburn, concerning which Dr. Dixon remarked to us, on his visit here, that it reminded him more of England than any thing he had seen since leaving the favored isle. In the language of the friend who described brother S., "he is a little above the medium height, stoutly built, a little stoop shouldered, a silver haired, sweet faced, neatly-dressed man, of good business ability, sensible, safe. He has a fine sense of the ludicrous, and enjoys a joke as well as most men; but usually he is grave, and in his social intercourse engaging and discreet, dropping every now and then some useful remark. A smile generally plays upon his countenance; he rarely offends; always seeks to oblige; but is firm where principle is involved.

He preaches plain, practical discourses; rarely declaims; and is to be ranked, perhaps, with the weeping prophets or and loving evangelists. He has written a book — a neat biography of one of our earlier preachers. Notwithstanding his business abilities, his extreme caution, and his forecast, he has been overreached and has recently lost $28,000. He bears this with Christian resignation and calmness. He is one of those cases which prove that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. I am happy to say that he will not be left poor, his good wife having property which is not affected by his personal obligations." We should rather be disposed to take him for a bishop by far than the present senior incumbent of the Book Room; and, if comparisons were not odious, we might have something to say about his possession of some peculiar qualifications which Le Roi, the king, does not, in our judgment, possess, as well as some traits he does possess, which would not be very desirable in a Methodist bishop. And yet, if he were a bishop, he would, in our estimation, come as near to Wesley himself, and perhaps more so than Coke or Asbury. Certain it is, that whatever he would do in the episcopal office would be done in the fear of God and with the utmost conscientiousness; and, though some might be disposed to question his judgment, none would for a moment arraign his motives; for in regard to honesty and sincerity, he is one of God’s noblest specimens.

It would be well enough, also, in this connection, to say a few things about the other Agents. After the resignation of Rev. J. F. Wright, in 1844, the Rev. L. Swormstedt was elected Principal and the Rev. J. T. Mitchell Assistant. Brother Mitchell had received a good training in the itinerant ranks in the wilds of the west, and, under the precepts and examples of his venerable patriarch father, himself a Methodist preacher, he came into the Concern having nothing to learn, either as regarded. the doctrines, economy, or usages of Methodism. Having a good education and a ready wit, it did not take him long to make himself acquainted with the general business of the Concern, and had he been allowed to remain, he would, doubtless, have been a valuable acquisition to the Concern. At the close of his term, he took a transfer to the Ohio conference, and was stationed four consecutive years in Cincinnati. He is now stationed in Urbana, and is the Secretary of the Cincinnati conference, beloved and respected by all. His successor in office was the Rev. John H. Power, an old and valued member of the North Ohio conference, who has made himself known and felt in the religious and literary world as a preacher, polemic, and author. His works on Universalism have had an extensive sale. As a Christian and a minister, his character is strongly marked. his prejudices, if we may be allowed to use the word in an accommodated sense, are strong; and what he believes to be right, he will cling to with the utmost tenacity, if not doggedness, of purpose. He has the sharp, hard features of a Calvin; and yet we hardly think that he would consent to the burning of a Servetus, who might differ from him in opinion. Like his predecessor however, he had to go by the board at the expiration of four years, and make way for the present incumbent. Since his retiracy he has been appointed by the Ohio, North Ohio, Cincinnati, and Kentucky conferences as Agent of the Tract Society; and he has entered upon that work with vigor; for one of his characteristics is to engage with all his might in whatever he undertakes.

We now come to speak of the Rev. Adam Poe, the present Assistant. As already intimated, he has a herculean frame, and none would doubt his being a descendant of the conqueror of the Indian Big Foot. Brother Poe is thoroughly a Methodist, and, though not yet beyond life’s prime, has been a traveling preacher for many years. A faithful and devoted servant of the Church, he is no less faithful to the interests of the Book Concern, ever ready to spring into the harness and work at any post in the establishment. He seems determined to understand all the details of business and do the work assigned him by the General conference.

We have given the reader a rough and hasty sketch of the Book Concern; but, before closing, we must not omit to mention the extent of its present operations. We are informed, by reliable authority, that the amount of sales during the current year is greater than at any former period, and greater than all the sales effected during many of the first years of the existence of the Concern. In addition to the sales, the Concern issues twenty-six thousand copies of the Western Christian Advocate, eighteen thousand copies of the Ladies’ Repository, thirty thousand copies of the Sunday School Advocate, six thousand copies of the Missionary Advocate, and five thousand of the German Apologist. In view of what has been accomplished during the thirty four years of its existence, commencing with a small branch Depository, and gradually increasing to its present giant proportions as a wholesale establishment, what mind can calculate its future expansion, or the amount of good yet to be accomplished in the great work of spreading a pure literature and a Scriptural holiness over all these lands!