T5he
Book Concern
Report
To the
Twenty-tKird General Conference
Of the A. M. E. Church, held in
Norfolk. Va„ May 1905
REPORT
OF THE
BOOK CONCERN
OF THE
Africa.r\ Methodist Episcopal Church
TO THE
Twenty-third Quadrennial Session
Of the General Conference of the
A. M. E. Chvirch,
HELD IN NORFOLK, VA„ MAY 1908
PHILADELPHIA
The A. M. E. Publishing House
631 Pine Street
1908
RT, REV. B. W. ARNETT, D.D.
President of the Board of Publication from
whom we expected much good advice and help¬
fulness was permitted to preside over only one of
the Board Meetings before he was called from
labor to reward by the reaper death.
His demise occurred at Wilberforce, Ohio, at
his home in the peaceful embrace of his family
October 10th, 1906.
This noble hero, defender of his race, states¬
man and Churchman has passed from us; peace
to his ashes.
5
TO THE BISHOP AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ASSEMBLED IN THE
23rd QUADRENNIAL SESSION, AT NOR¬
FOLK, VIRGINIA, MAY 4TH, 1908.
Reverend Fathers and Brethren :—
The Publication Department of the A. M. E. Church is
still an active agent in the moral, religious and intellectual de¬
velopment of our great Church constituency, in particular,
and of our people in general.
It is still filling the design which was borne in the minds
of the fathers, who brought it into existence, which design was
to spread the light of information, to encourage, uplift and
inspire the spirit of business enterprise.
Every dollar which has been invested for its support and
continuance has yielded an abundant harvest in the impressions
the literature sent forth by its output, has had on the mind
and character of those who have come under its influence.
It has furnished the necessary course of study to hundreds
of our ministry, in the books printed and issued, and it has
spread through the "Christian Recorder," "The Review," and
hundreds of books and pamphlets such information as has
been a tower of strength to our great and growing denomina¬
tion.
This view of the great question in reference to the value
of this Department is too often overlooked and underestimated
in the great rush of this commercial age for the Almighty
Dollar.
Information is now and has been the crying need of our
people, and a far-reaching influence promoting this idea, is still
the need of the hour.
The Book Concern has and is still filling this unique need.
6
OUR WRITERS AND AUTHORS.
It has been an inspiration to our Writers and Authors to
give to'tlie world any good thought which germinates in their
minds, and at the same time to receive some remuneration
for time spent in preparing those thoughts for the public.
It has been the vehicle upon which the thought of the
greatly oppressed hearts of a down-trodden race could be con¬
veyed to the great dominant people of this country.
It has been the medium through which wrongs could be
made known and redress before the bar of public opinion and
favorable public sentiment created.
Its value cannot be estimated in dimes and dollars, but
rather by its power as a factor in the uplift of a people.
Its operations as an educative and missionary factor in
our Church development for more than a half century is its
priceless asset.
With sturdy strokes through the "Christian Recorder,"
"Review," and other books, it has endeavored to drive back
ignorance, and with these wings of light and intelligence lift
men up to Truth and to God.
APPROPRIATIONS AND ALLEN DAY.
From Financial Department $2,023 22
Allen Day I<3°3 00
Total ' $3-326 22
CONDITION AND CAPITAL.
The Financial Condition of the country which sent such
widespread destruction to thousands of business enterprises,
greatly affected us.
In sections of our country from which we get our largest
support, like the great Cotton Belt, we lost heavily in the busi-
7
ness returns which these sections always bring to our Depart¬
ment. The people did not have the money to spend. Cotton
was tied up and farmers unable to move their crops to the
market.
This was a severe strain on us, and only God knows how
we were able to stem the heavy business tide which set in
against us.
NO CAPITAL.
We had no capital reserved to which we could go for re¬
lief. The whole truth of the matter is, that the Book Concern
has never had any Capital upon which to run its business; it
has always been a Business built and operated on Faith and
Hard Work. This shows that the Book Concern has never
been pu,t on a sure business basis.
The fact of having no Capital on one hand, and a falling
off in business on the other hand, consequent to the panic, I
was brought face to face with a stern business proposition—
Money or Failure! Money or close your doors, as hundreds
of strong business houses had done.
No money being available in our treasury, I was com¬
pelled to borrow from friends—also to draw on my personal
funds, frequently every dollar of my salary, and also borrow
from my wife, to keep the business intact—keep the doors
open and save the business.
During all this strain I was compelled to stand the mis¬
understanding and misrepresentations of various writers in the
"Christian Recorder," whose writings had a great tendency to
weaken the Department, create a seniment against it and kill
its business.
Only God knows how I have been able to stem this awful
destructive tide which set in from many quarters as though
there was a deep-seated desire to bring failure to this De¬
partment.
But by God's grace we have endured hardness as a good
soldier, and present ,to you the Department intact to-day.
Mrs. Ruth M. Collett during all this strain has been my
8
most valuable helper as field agent without salary. Not less
than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) worth of business has
been handled by her for the Department, every penny of which
has been accounted for to both the Bookkeeper and Auditor.
our liabilities not greatly increased.
The Report will show that in the face of conditions men¬
tioned, our liabilities have not greatly increased. The net loss
of Capital Account is $798.94.
Accounts ,to the amount of Two Thousand Dollars have
been charged off on the books in four years.
We hereto append our Financial Statement:—
Statements from the Books of the Book Concern of the
A. M. E. Church, April i, 1907, to Marcpi 31, 1908.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
ASSETS.
Real Estate, 631 Pine St., old valuation subject to
mortgage of $5,000 $17,500 00
Machinery 4,600 00
Office Fixtures and Furniture 500 00
Organ 50 00
Merchandise, as per inventory 3484 00
TyPe, Job Press, as per inevntory 1,172 00
Plates and Cuts, as per inventory 2,050 00
Job Press, Paper and Supplies 68 00
"Recorder," Type and Fixtures 300 00
Cash 54 10
Acounts Receivable 3,286 31
LIABILITIES.
Old Loans, notes and interest, * • ■>*• $4,54i 59
Wilberforce University, interest on mortgage accrued
to March 31, 1908 1,740 13
Bonds payable 321 00
$6,602 72
Notes payable:
Quaker City Paper Co 1,070 00
Wm. Bryan's checks outstanding 402 00
John H. Collett and Ruth M. Collett, 2,856 97
Total of loans, notes, due bills, interest payable $10,931 69
Accounts payable, 1,159 02
Wages accrued 50 00
Mortgage Payable 5,000 00
Total liabilities $17,140 71
Balance or Net Capital 15,923 70
$33,064 41 $33,064 41
9
Statements from the Books of the Book Concern of tiie
A. M. E. Church, April 20, 1904, to March 31, 190S.
MERCHANDISE ACCOUNT.
FOUR YEARS.
Sales. Direct Costs. Gross Gains.
April 20, 04, to March 3L 05 $ 6,273 93 $ 1,537 75 $ 4,736 18
April 1, 05, to March 31, 06 10,132 30 3,837 79 6,294 5i
April 1, 06, to March 31, 07 7,684 04 2611 66 5072 38
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 6,604 95 3,490 12 3,314 83
Merchandise Sales, four years $30,895 22 —
Merchandise Direct Costs, four years. .. . $11,477 32
Merchandise, Gross Gains, four years... $19,417 90
JOB WORK DEPARTMENT.
FOUR YEARS.
Sales. Direct Costs. Losses.
April 20, 04, to March 31, 05 $ 1,322 93 $ 2083 07 $ 760 14
April 1, 05, to March 31, 06 2,615 73 3038 69 422 96
April 1, c6, to March 31, 07 3,328 14 4,712 46 1,384 32
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 3-°4i 95 4 459 61 1,417 66
Total Job Work Department, four years. $10,308 75
Direct Costs, four years $14,293 83
Losses, four years $ 3,985 °8
"RECORDER,"
FOUR YEARS.
Sales. Costs.
April 20, 04, to March 31, 05. $ 3 733 12 $ 2,959 34
April 1, 05, to March 31, 06. 3,973 19 4,247 27
April 1, 06, to March 31, 07. 3833 46 3>9:4 85
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08. 3,764 89 3,154 79
Total Business, four years. .. $15,304 66
Direct Costs, four years $14,276 25
Gains, two years $ x-383 88
Losses, two years $ 355 47 $ 355 47
Balance or Gain, four years.. $ L028 4*
Losses. Gains.
$ 773 78
274 08
81 39
610 10
10
summary of Business.
FOUR YEARS.
Sales. 1 Direct Costs. Losses.
Merchandise $30-895 22 $r M77 32
Job Work 10,308 75 i4,293 83 3,985 08
"Recorder'' 15-304 66 14,276 25
Total Business, four years.. . $56,508 63
Direct Costs $40,047 40
Gains, Mdse. and "Recorder".
Losses, Job Work $ 3,985 °8
Gains on Total Business
Office Rent Received
Use of Organ Received
Total Gains
Gains.
$19,417 90
1,028 41
$20,446 31
3.985 08
$16,461 23
481 00
66 00
$17,008 23
EXPENSES.
April 20, 04, to March 31, 05 $ 3,393 27
April 1, 05, to March 31, 06 3-734 60
April 1, c6, to March 31, 07 3,613 77
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 3,760 09
$14,501 73
Net Gains on Business, four years $ 2,506 50
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT.
FOUR YEARS.
GAINS AND CREDITS.
Net Gain on Business, four years $ 2,506 50
Allen Day:
4, 20, 04, to 3, 3, 05 $ 216 37
April 1, 05, to March 31, 06 492 82
April 1, 06, to March 31, 07 434 63
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 403 58
Total from Allen Day 1,547 40
Donations :
April 20, 04, to March 31, 05 1,302 00
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 1 00
1,303 00
Appropriation from Financial Department:
April 20, 04, to March 31, 05 $ 450 00
April 1, 05. to March 31, 06, none
April 1, 06, to March 31, 07 923 22
April 1, 07, to March 31, 08 $ 700 00
Less to H. T. Johnson 50 00 650 00 2,023 22
Total Gains ' $ 7,380 12
11
LOSSES.
FOUR YEARS.
Interest Payable on Mortgage and Loans and Notes:
4, 20, 04 to 3, 31, os $ 864 19
4, 1, 05 to 3, 31, c6 850 55
4. 1, 06, to 3, 31, 07 886 93
4. 1, 07, to 3, 31, 08 970 28
$ 3,57i 95
Taxes, Water Rent, Repairs and Sundry Items:
4, 20, 04, to 3 31, 05 $ 339 19
4, 1, 05, to 3, 31, c6 227 88
4, 1, 06, to 3, 31, 07 292 79
4, 1, 06, to 3, 31,-08.' 273 02
$ 1,132 88
Depreciation cn Plates and Cuts 1,358 57
Worthless Amounts and Accounts Adjusted:
4, 20 04, to 3, 31, 05 $ 745 65
4, 1, 05, to 3, 31, 06 77 81
4, 1, 06, to 3. 31, 07 244 23
4, 1, 07, to 3, 31, oS 1,047 97
$ 2,115 66
$ 8,179 06
Gains 7,380 12
Net Loss to Capital Account 798 94
CAPITAL ACCOUNT.
FOUR YEARS.
Balance or Capital April 20, 1904 $17,'095 38
LESS.
Adjustments, omitted 4, 20, 04, to 3, 31, 05, Dr $ 558 11
Adjustments, omitted 4, 1, 5, to 3, 31, 06, Cr 285 37
$ 272 74
Adjustments, omitted 4, 1, 06 to 3, 31, 07 100 00
$ 372 74
Loss, four years 798 94
$ 1,171 68$ 1,171 68
Balance or Net Capital April 1, 1908 $I5>923 7°
12
THE JOB DEPARTMENT.
The Job Department is charged for time used in printing
Church Supplies, at the same time the cost from Church Sup¬
plies is not credited to the Job Department, hut to the credit
of the general business. This makes the apparent loss on Job
Department of $3,985.08 for four years.
Now, if the Church would send us sufficient printing, we
could run a full-fledged Job Department, but as they do not,
the hands are compelled to work according to necessity and
time.
It must he remembered that the Job Department is the
great feeder of the Book Concern, and that its credits for work
are represented in the $13,000 business done, so that the loss is
only apparent, but not real, 011 the Job Department side, part
of its profit being in the merchandise sales.
SUPPLY GREATER THAN THE DEMAND.
We have been amply prepared a,t all times to supply our
trade.
Our shelves at the store and the bindery have had on hancj.
a supply much greater than the demand.
This is convincing proof that the plant is sufficient in size
and producing power to supply the demand, eyen if it were
twice as great.
13
All through the Quadrennium we have had on hand more
Hymnals than we could dispose of for cash.
BOOK CONCERN DON'T MAKE MONEY.
This complaint comes from many that the Book Concern
has not yielded a dividend to the Church during all its years
of operation.
The reasons are as follows:—
The Hymn Books and Disciplines are not used in all the
churches. Dozens and scores of our congregations have only
one Hymn Book, and that is on the pulpit, and there are nu¬
merous -other churches in which you cannot find one A. M. E.
Hymnal. AVho is to blame for ,this? Surely not the Publish¬
ing House.
This is the point on which the money-making power of
the Book Concern hinges. When sufficient interest can be
awakened to- have at least one-fourth of our great-communion
use our Hymnals in Divine Worship and read our Church
papers, the Book Concern will make money.
No Manager single handed and alone can arouse such in¬
terest in the churches; none but the pastors.,
FOR EXAMPLE.
In 1900 we printed 20,000 Disciplines as a supply, for
eight hundred thousand members. F ourteen t liousamfofthese
remain unsold.
In 1904 we printed thirteen thousand five hundred
(13,500) Disciplines. Of these we have sold thirteen thou¬
sand four hundred. Two thousand of these, more or less, were
sold on credit, for which we have not received one cent.
Take for example, five thousand of our churches averag¬
ing three Stewards to a church, will give us 15,000 officers.
Now, if each of these officers had purchased a Discipline, we
would have sold 15,000 Disciplines to Stewards.
Each of these same churches averaged not less than three
14
'Trustees. If each of these had purchased a Discipline, we
would have sold 15,000 more Disciplines, making- 33,000 Dis¬
ciplines. Averaging- the same number of Class Leaders, Stew¬
ardesses, with six: thousand preachers, we would have an en¬
rollment of sixty-six thousand who of necessity should have
a Discipline. At the rate of fifty cents each, it would give a
revenue of $33,000.
We do not stop here in giving the reasons why the Book
Concern has not made money and cleared a dividend for the
Church.
But we ask in all seriousness, who prints all the Minutes
of the various Conferences? Who did the printing of the
Programmes and other publishing for this great assembly here
in session? No,t the Book Concern.
Who does the bulk of printing for the great A. M. E.
Church and receives the revenue therefrom? Not the Publi¬
cation Department at 631 Pine Street.
All that the Publication Department has received to print
for this great Conference was 100 letterheads for each of the
twelve Bishops; Delegates General Conference Credentials;
The Woman's Mite Missionary Quadrennial Report; The Blue
Book of the Church Extension Department by Dr. B. F. Wat¬
son; and the A. M. E. Church "Review" Report, Prof. H. T.
Kealing.
Who will get all the money to be paid out for the print¬
ing necessary to carry on this Conference? Not the Book
Concern.
The Book Concern will never make money until it re¬
ceives the patronage of the A. M. E. Church from every quar¬
ter. Then we will swell our borders and be able to manipulate
a hundred thousand dollar printing plant, with hundreds of
our young men and women employed in its operation.
If the master starve the horse by refusing the necessary
supply of oats, the horse of necessity must be poor. The
Church is the miaster, the Book Concern the horse. So, if it
15
is poor, the Church is responsible, because they have not given
it the proper support.
A. M. E. Hymnals printed for the four years for eight
hundred thousand members :—
Musical 10,385 On hand, 903
Word, 181110 4,000 On hand, 1,780
Word, 321110 25,000 On hand, 1,725
Totals 39085 • 4,408
Number sold, 34,977.
THE A. M. E. "REVIEW."
We have printed and bound the "Quarterly Review," and
the work has been satisfactory to the Editor. The revenue
coming from this work greatly aided us in our general
business.
OLD DEBTS PAID IN FULL AND IN PART.
Xenia National Bank $1000 00
L. Lowndes 100 00
T. G. Steward 100 00
Moorehouse 165 00
Rev. Theo. Gould 70 00
Hultz 96 83
William Ramsey 87 97
George F .Lasher 32^ 65
Methodist B. S. N. Y 79 29
Frank Miller 99 OI
Bishop C. T. Shaffer 44 22
G. H. Fisher n 5°
H. Gould 21 00
S. Amnion 37 74
Sayer U 00
Fost 40 00
E. H. Eiler 5 69
16
Berlin Co *6 35
H. W. Bass 105 oo
Elliott 88 90
The Franklin 63 91
Osman 5 00
Godfrey 25 65
H. Katz . . . 3 3°
H. Fuller 1 35
Keystone 19 61
Knowland 31 20
Hall & Mack 24 46
Sprague 3 5°
Winston 2 93
Queen City 18 30
Kezer 21 45
Mrs. William E. Matthew 5° 00
Bishop Tanner 52 12
Bishop Coppin 61 35
Bishop Gaines 3° 00
George F. Lasher 145 00
Bonds 50 00
BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS PRINTED.
Hymn Books, 321110 25,000
Hymn Books, i8mo 4,000
Music, o 1110 10,385
Disciplines i3>5°o
South African L. B., Bishop Coppin 2,000
Pulpit, Pew and Pen, H. T. Johnson 500
Philadelphia Conference Minutes, i904-'o5-'o6-'o7. . . 8,000
Pittsburg Conference Minutes, 1904 1,200
New Jersey Conference Minutes, i903-'o4 2,400
Bishop Derrick's Address 3,000
Sermon by Rev. S. P. Jones 2,000
Bishop C. S. Smith's Response 2,000
New England Conference Minutes, 1904 600
New Jersey Conference Minutes, 1905 1,200
Baltimore Conference Minutes, 1905 1,200
X-Ray of Life, Campbell 1,000
11
New England Conference Minutes, 1905 600
Brown Chapel, Ford 2,000
Ohio Conference Minutes 1,000
North Ohio Conference Minutes 1,000
Sanqtified Dollars, Hood 1,000
Texas Conference Minutes 1,000
Mississippi Conference Minutes 1,000
Baltimore Conference Minutes 1,200
* 7
New York Conference Minutes, 1905 1,000
Ohio Conference Minutes, 1905 1,000
North Ohio Conference Minutes, 1905 1,000
Michigan Conference Minutes 700
A. M. E. "Review" 44,800
Oklahoma Conference Minutes 500
Baltimore Conference Minutes, 1906 1,200
New York Conference Minutes, 1906 1,000
Michigan Conference Minutes, 1906 1,000
Ohio Conference Minutes, 1906 1,000
North Ohio Conference Minutes, 1906 1,000
New England Conference Minutes, 1906 700
New Jersey Conference Minutes, 1907 L5°o
Baltimore Conference Minutes, 1907 1,200
The Kingdom] of Juclah 1,000
Ohio and North Ohio S. S. Institute 1,000
New York Conference Minutes, 1907 1,000
Ohio Conference Minutes, 1907 1,000
North Ohio Conference Minutes, 1907 1,000
Philadelphia Conference Branch M. S 1,000
Women's M. S. Quadrennial Report 1,000
Church Extension Report, 1908 1,000
A. M. E. "Review" Report, 1908 1,000
Book Concern Report, 1908 1,000
Law Brief, Ballantine 50
Quarterly Conference Records • 588
Queen of Songs 1,000
Origin and Development, Palmer 1,000
Bishop Gaines' Address . 2,000
Methodist Politics 1,700
Order Service 1,000
Embry's Digests 500
Rituals 5°°
The Key, Coppin 1,000
18
"THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER."
We have issued the "Recorder" regularly each week.
Our report shows that the total amount of cash realized 011
the "Recorder" in four years is only $15,304.66, an average
of $3,826.16 1-2 cents per year.
With this small amount on one hand and the great in¬
crease of the price of paper, ink and other printing supplies,
and the increased demand for more new matter to be set up
weekly, we were put to the greatest stress to furnish the neces¬
sary finance to carry 011 the work.
19
Much of the lnatter for the "Recorder," owing to the
small force of printers employed at the Department, had been
set up outside of the Department, by the Linotype people.
This increased our bill with the Linotype Company to the
amount of $1,200. At the same time the subscriptions were
falling off.
We decided to decrease the expense of getting out the
"Recorder," and for this purpose we had the New Simplex
Typesetting Machine installed in our building at the cost of
$1,896.83. The machine when operated at its highest speed
will do the work of from four to six men.
This stopped the increase of our bills with the Linotype
people for "Recorder" matter.
About this time these people demanded payment at once
for the $1,200 due them. Not being in condition to pay, we
were forced to- give Judgment Notes to the amount of $2,400,
for which, by God's help, we made settlement out of our own
personal means for the entire amount, except $51.00.
We are now setting up the "Christian Recorder" matter
with the New Simplex Machine at a great weekly saving of
its expenses.
In furtherance of this cause, Mrs. Ruth M. Collett, my
valuable assistant, volunteered to raise by free-will donations
and solicitations five hundred dollars on the purchase price of
the machine. $422.43 of this amount has been raised by her
and paid on the machine.
THE NEW MACHINE.
STATEMENT.
Cost of Machine
Amount paid January 1, 1908
$1,896 83
735
Balance due January 1, 1908
$i,r5i 20
20
WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
We hare placed in our composing" room a most wonder¬
ful [Jece of new machinery—The James A. Handy Simplex
Typesetting- Machine, at cost of $1,896.83. This is the first
Typesetting Machine ever installed in the A. M. E. Publishing-
House during its nmety years of existence.
21
We have paid 011 old debts. ..." $3 232 63
We have paid interest 3)57! 95
Total $6,604 58
The above we can consider as a balance. We have ar¬
ranged and printed a new "Quarterly Conference Record," the
entire revenue of which goes to the Department. This is the
first of its kind published by the Book Concern from which
the Department gets the entire revenue.
VTHEtOFFICJAL ORGAN-
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23
MANAGER'S TRAVELS.
Notwithstanding the fact that I believe the Manager
should be in his office almost continually week after week, I
have been compelled during this Quadrennium to travel as
agent for the Department extensively, sometimes being in the
field as long- as five and a half months at the time, with only
an opportunity to pay a hurried visit to the Department for
inspection of its affairs.
This absence was necessary, from the fact that it is dif¬
ficult to secure suitable agents. This we labored to do and
succeeded in a small measure, through the recommendations
of several of the Bishops.
It is impossible for the Manager, out in the field thousands
of miles away from the real manipulations of the moneys and
business of the Department, to have the same degree of suc¬
cess which would be his if he had his hand on the business at
every point.
The old trite saying, "If you want your business properly
attended to, look after it yourself," is a true one. Others may
do their best, but the man with responsibility upon his should¬
ers can always see the points of advantage in his dealings.-
Think of the burden of fhe man under bond for the faith¬
ful performance of his duty, travelling as an agent thousands
of miles away from that city!
This must be stopped. The Manager must stay in his of¬
fice and supervise the business there, but at the same time the
important place of field agen,t must be filled by those who will
not expend in travelling expenses and for commission all profit
and leave nothing but a mere pittance for the Department,
24
We have been seriously endeavoring to work out this
problem and gradually place into the hands of reliable agents
the work of the several Conferences and locations of our busi¬
ness.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT AND 'AUDITOR
RETAINED.
We have continued during the past four years the valuable
services of the Certified Public Accountant and Auditor, thus
throwing around ourselves and the Church the very best pro¬
tection.
Every account has passed under /the scrutinizing eye of
the Auditor, and we present our books and vouchers to this
General Conference in first-class condition, so that any one
with any idea of bookkeeping can define the status of the
business of the Book Concern.
We have had no secrets, and the Auditor is not a private
one for the management, but for the Corporation, or Book
Concern.
Our chief idea in the employment of such service was the
protection of the interests of both Church and Management
trom error or fraud.
We present the Books of the Concern to this General Con¬
ference, for your approval, certified to by a Public Accountant,
according to the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING AND CONTENTS.
The Publishing- House is a strongly built, well equipped,
three-story brick building".
Arranged as follows :
First Floor Front—Store room fitted up with shelves for
books, Bookkeeper's desk room, Manager's room, "Review"
Department room, "Recorder" Clerk room.
TIIE BOOK CONCERN OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH
26
First Floor Rear—Press room, containing one large
Campbell Press, three Job Presses, one Cutter (paper), one
Folder, one Stitcher.
Basement—Front room for paper storage.
Rear Basement—Engine and fuel room. 10 1-4 power
Engine.
Second Floor—Front, "Recorder" Editor's room, Church
Extension Room.
Second Floor Rear—Composing Room, Newspaper and
Job Department,Typesetting Machine, and Printers' Cases and
other appliances.
Elevator to second floor and basement.
Entire Third Floor not used for printing purposes.
IN CONCLUSION.
In carrying forward the work of the Publishing House,
we have labored earnestly and honestly, through the scorching
heat of summer and the bleak winds of winter.
Handicapped though we were by conditions arising from
the fact >that we had no capital, and at the same time burdened
with long-standing debts, repulsed by attacks of unjust criti¬
cism, in the columns of the paper which should have been our
defence, we have stood like the sturdy oak of the forest in the
grasp of a mighty storm, silent, but with our hand in God's
hand, saying, "Father, forgive them.; they know not what
they do."
Yes, we have stood faithful to the trust, and we bring the
Department to you to-day by God's help in better condition
than we found it, when we took charge.
We bring it with its lost credit restored, its business stand¬
ing in the mercantile world creditable, with its facilities for do¬
ing work increased five times by the addition of new and im-
27
proved machinery, and with stock on hand aggregating
$6,000.00
When I review the conditions with which I had to con¬
tend, and transactions of the business life of this Department
for the past four years, the success attained is marvelous.
Through all God has been our guide and helper.
We want this General Conference to note this fact, that
$2,800.00 of my personal money and my wife's money has been
loaned by me to the Department, since taking charge. The
same was used from time to time to perpetuate and keep in
operation the business of the Department.
No Capital being available from! any other source, I was
compelled to furnish the necessary Capital upon which to' run
the business. This same cause of financing the Department
by the Managers out of their personal funds has been necessary
for a number of Quadrenniums.
The records will show that Revs. Theo. Gould, J. C. Em-
bry, R. H. Leak, all found it necessary to pursue this course.
The Church from time to time refunded them their money.
NEEDED LIGHT.
Many are asking for light as to the expenditure of Eighty
Thousand Dollars ($80,000) for the Publishing House, as set
forth in an article by Bishop B. F. Lee, in a recent date of the
"Christian Recorder."
I wish to explain that I have not received .that $80,000, as
many think, and it was not expended by us, but it was expended
through a long number of years for salaries, as follows:
M anagers.
J. C. Embry, 13 years $17,550.00
T. W. Henderson 4 years 5, 4°°. 00
R. H. W. Leak, 2 1-2 years 3>375-°°
J. H. Collett, 6 1-2 years 8,775.00
28
Editors.
B. T. Tanner, 16 years .
B. F. Lee, 4 years
H. T. Johnson, 16 years
21,660.00
5,400.00
21,660.00
Total
$83,720.00
All of these earned their money, I believe. I am sure I
have earned mine.
I wish to emphasize my statement, that the Publication
Department has been the strong Educational Arm of the A.
M. E. Church.
In closing this report, I ask every delegate who loves Afri¬
can Methodism to weigh the facts presented here to-day. Look
at this institution as it stands intact to-day.
See it, under God, standing out against misrepresenta¬
tion, abuse, panics, coal strikes, enemies, law suits, schemers;
defrauded of its goods, yet preserved by a Higher Power for
a greater destiny—the uplift of a Race.
We now extend our cordial, grateful and heartfelt thanks
to all who have assisted us in any way.
We thank our Venerable Bishops.
We thank Presiding Elders, Pastors, our Laity, and
Friends for the patronage given, and especially do we thank
those who came to our help, and loaned us money when we
were hard pressed to meet our obligations.
We thank those who gave us minutes and books to print,
and other work to do.
God bless you and reward you for your loyalty to this
great cause.
Above all, we thank God, Our Heavenly Father, for the
strength He hath given us to fight this good fight, and who
hath put it into your heart to stand by us and support our
efforts.
THANKS.
29
Now we, like the Psalmist, can say: "Thou hast given
me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden
me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast
enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."—Ps.
viii, 35, 36-
Amen.
Yours in Christ,
JOHN H. COLLETT,
General Business Manager.
April 22, 1908.
Dr. John H. Collett, General Manager,
- Book Concern of the A. M. E. Church,
631 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Sir:—-
Two reports have been prepared and are submitted here¬
with ; one of the business for the year ending March 31, 1908,
and the other of the business for four years, or from April 20,
1904, to March 31, 1908.
The statement for the current year shows a loss, though
when the financial conditions of the country are considered,
this is not surprising. Though the business shows a loss, the
Liabilities have not greatly increased, and all this increase is
due to the excessive interest charges on old debts.
Because of the heavy debt, the Book Concern cannot pay
cash for paper and supplies, and so is charged a higher rate
for such purchases in addition to the interest charge. It is
almost impossible for a business to prosper when it is burdened
with a great debt and when it is without one cent of working
capital. In fact, the Net Capital of the business is less than
the valuation of the Real Estate at 631 Pine Street, which
valuation is greatly in excess of any possible present value.
The Job Work Department shows a loss each year, though
80
it is probable that double the amount of work might be turned
out without additional wages, and if so there would be a chance
for gain if all interested would send their printing to the Book
Concern.
If it is desired that this Department be active, it should
be supported by those interested, and in addition all payments
for work should be made promptly.
Worthless accounts to the amount of Two Thousand Dol¬
lars have been charged off on the books in four years. Surely
those interested in the work should not defraud it of that which
is justly due.
All the work of the Book Concern should be considered
educational and missionary, and substantial support should be
given it to carry on such work.
"The Recorder" has barely paid its direct costs, which
means that there is left nothing to pay for ,the general expenses,
for clerks, for rent, for heat, for light, etc. "The Recorder"
is surely not a business venture; it is educational and mission¬
ary work. It is the official organ of the church and should
have the active and financial support of the A. M. E. Church.
The Liabilities of Seventeen Thousand Dollars should be
paid; the Book Concern would be relieved of interest charges
and would have some chance for gain. In addition to the
payment of these Liabilities, a fund should be appropriated for
a Working capital. A business which must raise on an aver¬
age of one hundred dollars a week for wages, should have capi¬
tal to carry it through the dull season and to provide for other
contingencies.
With my best wishes for the future success of the Book
Concern,
Respectfully submitted,
M. B. Niles,
Certified Public Accountant,
31
No. 631 Pine Street,
Philadelphia, April 27th, 1908.
To the Bishop and Members of the Publication Board, A. M.
E. Church.
The Auditing- Committee and Committee on Inspection of
Building- and Property of the Publication Department, begs
to submit the following Report:—
We have examined the accounts, property, etc., of the
Publication Department, and find the reports submitted by the
General Business Manager, Rev. John H. Collett, D. D., to be
true and correct. The building, machinery and other property
of the Department is in first-class condition. Ten (10) per¬
sons are now employed by the Department and are paid regu¬
larly.
While there is not a large gain during the Quadrennium,
a close observation of the Department will prove that Dr. Col¬
lett has done a wonderful work in bringing up this Department
to its present standing and credit, especially when we consider
the unfavorable conditions of the financial and business world
generally during this Quadrennium, also the lack of interest
shown in this Department by a large portion of the Church all
over the country.
Dr. Collett, the Manager, is an able, strong and thorough¬
ly capable business man, and knows no failure. He has shown
himself to be the right man for this work. The books of the
Department shows that the Manager has advanced about
$2,800.00 of his own private funds to keep things moving as
they should, and he has not yet received his money back from
the Department. Dr. Collett is deserving of the highest com¬
mendation of the entire connection.
(Signed)
J. B. STANSBERRY,
H. H. PINCKNEY,
S. E. PURNELL, Sec'y,
Committee,
We Want 20,000 Subscribers to Tbs Christian Recorder
THE A. HI. E. PUBLISHING HOUSE
631 Pine Street, Phila., Pa.
We want Agents all
over the country to
sell our books and
take subscriptions for
The Christian Re¬
corder. Agents can
make money. Send
for outfit
The following and
many other books we
keep in stock: Hymn
Books, Disciplines,
Class and all Books
found in the course of
study, or any other
book desired by min¬
isters or readers ^
PUBLISHED CUEEKLiY
The Offieial Organ of the A. JVI- E. Chureh
Subscription:—$1.00 per year in advance; six months, 60 cents, three months, 35 cents
H. T. JOHNSON, D. D., EDITOR
JOB PRINTING OF EVERY DESCRIPTION
WORK NEATUY DONE ON SHORT NOTICE
Particular attention given to Cards, Pamphlets, Books, Minutes, etc. If you want Cuts 0%
Seals or Banners, send us your order and it will be filled on short notice.
Jn fact, we can give you anything c+esired iu our hue of work-.
SEND Abb ORPER5 TO
J. H. COLLETT, General Business Manager