United Brethren Publishing House Historical Sketch 1834-1894 '"^i^Mfef^ tihvavy of Che Cheolojical ^eminarjp PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY PRESENTED BY Rufus H. LeFevre IXnxk'b (gvtt^vin 18345! 1894 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/historicalsketOOunit SSSSSIH HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE tjNlTED BRETHREN PUB- LISHING HOUSE H 1834-1894 FEB 11 1953 2^^. Us?m00 WITH A POEM ON THE RELIGIOUS TELESCOPE AND ILLUSTRATIONS DAYTON, OHIO Unttcb Brctl^rcn publisl^ing £jouse W. J. Shuev, Publisher 1894 HISTORICAL SKETCH^ OF THE United Brethren Publishing House. 1834-1894. In the providence of God the United Brethren Publishing House has been permitted to complete the sixtieth year of its history. An enterprise which has survived the storms of three-score years in the ever-changing world of business, while countless wrecks have gone down around it, is surely worthy of more than passing notice. And yet, on this occasion, only a brief glance can be taken at the events of the past, and only the most important facts presented. It is ho^jed, how- ever, that the attention which is thus attracted to it will serve to increase the interest of the Church in an institution which, in a large sense, is its own. The history of the House may naturally be divided into two periods, the first including the nineteen years at Circleville, Ohio, from 1834 to 1853, and the second the forty-one years wdiich have followed the removal to Dayton in the latter year. ' For a more complete account of the Publishing House, the reader is referred to the "Manual of the United Brethren Publishing House; Historical and Descriptive," published by the House. 12nio, cloth, $1.50. Copyright, 1894, by W. J. Shuey, Publllher. 4 UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE IHE HOUSE AT CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO. 18;U 1853. Previcjiis to 1834 only two })eriodicals are known to have been published in the interest of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ — Zioii's Advocafe, edited by Rev. Aaron Farmer, first issued in 1829, at Salem, Indiana, and The Moiintnin Mes- senger, edited by Rev. William R. Rhinehart, and first published in 1833, at Hagerstown, Maryland. Neither of these papers was successful, the former perishing for want of patronage, and the latter soon being merged into the official paper of the Church. The need of a Church periodical as a means of disseminating Church news, discussing Church questions, and thus forming a bond of union, became imperative, and in 1833 the General Con- ference which assembled in Pickaway County, Ohio, ordered the establishment, at Circleville, Ohio, of "a paper devoted to religious, moral, and literary intelligence." John Russel, Jonathan Dresbach, and George Dresbach were appointed trustees to secure donations and subscriptions, and to publish the new paper. In accordance with this action of the highest authority of the Church, the United Brethren Pub- lishing House, originally known as "The Printing Establishment of the United Brethren in Christ," was founded at Circleville, Ohio, in 1834. A lot and two houses were purchased, a supply of type was secured, and on the 31st day of December HISTORICAL SKETCH of that year was issued the first number of the Religious Telescope, with Eev. William E. Rhine- hart as editor and publisher. The paper consisted of four pages, 15 x 22 inches in size, printed from small type. For some time it was published only semi-monthly, and the price was $1.50 per annum. For several years the subscription list was some- times more and sometimes less than one thousand copies, and these upon the credit system. Although the new periodical was always on the side of prog- ress, the extreme position taken by the first editor on the reform questions of the day rendered it very unpopular, and no doubt retarded its growth. The Establishment began practically without capital and with liabilities amounting to $1,600. For many years the financial difficulties were seri- ous, and sometimes threatening. "Had it been an individual enterprise, or had the trustees been men of feeble hearts or of poor credit, it would have failed utterly. '' But by 1849 the debts were all canceled, and in 1853, nineteen years after the founding, the net assets were reported to be about $13,000. In 1811 a German paper was begun, but was discontinued in 1812. In 1846 another effort was made and a paper entitled Dcr Deufsche Telescoj^e was established, with Eev. N. Altman as editor. In 1851 its name was changed to Der Frohliche Botschafter, a name which it still retains. For a number of years the books published l)y the united brethren publishing house at circleville. (basement of the circleville church.) from an engraving in the " religious telescope." HISTORICAL SKETCH 7 the House were manufactured elsewhere, but in 1850 a bindery was established and its books were thereafter printed and bound in its own buildings. These books were chietiy Disciplines and hymn books. Only a few miscellaneous theological and religious books were kept on sale. No general bookstore was opened at Circleville. The Printing Establishment occupied two dif- ferent locations in the town in which it was founded. The first location was on the west side of North Court Street, between Pinkney and High streets. The second location, to which the Estab- lishment was removed some years later, was on East Main Street, the property purchased consisting of two dwelling-houses, in addition to which the base- ment of the United Brethren church adjoining was rented. The houses were used not only for business, but also as dwellings for the editors and agent. The men most prominently connected with the House at Circleville were Eev. William E. Rhine- hart, editor of the Religious Telescope from 1834 to 1839, and publisher from 1834 to 1837; Eev. William Hanby, editor from 1839 to 1845 and from 1849 to 1852, and publisher from 1837 to 1845 and from 1852 to 1853; Eev. David Edwards, editor from 1845 to 1849; Eev. Nehemiah Altman, pub- lisher from 1845 to 1852, and editor of the German paper from 1846 to 1847; Eev. John Eussel, Jona- than and George Dresbach, trustees. HISTORICAL SKETCH 9 THE HOUSE AT DAYTON, OHIO. 1853-1894. In 1853, in order to secure a better location, the Publisliini; House, by order of the General Con- ference of that year, was removed to Dayton, Ohio. A lot located on the northeast corner of Main and Fourth streets, in the center of the city, and measuring 59| feet on Main Street and 152 feet on Fourth, was purchased for $11,000. On this lot was situated a two-story brick residence, which was temporarily occupied by the House. In 1854 a substantial four-story brick building, forty by ninety feet, with basement, was erected on the corner, and equipped with gas- and steam-pipes, steam-engine, elevator, and improved machinery. This building was well constructed and is still in use. It afforded much more room than was needed at that time, and some portions were rented for other purposes. A bookstore was opened in the corner room on the first floor, a stereotype foundry was added, a new power press purchased, and other improvements made. The cost of the new building, with fittings, was $15,000. The ofiicers at the time of removal were as fol- lows : Rev. Solomon Vonnieda, publishing agent ; Rev. John Lawrence, editor of the Religious Tele- scope; Rev. Henry Staub, editor of the Fvohliche Boiscliaftev; Revs. Caleb AY. "Witt, Lewis Davis, J. C. Bright, L. S. Chittenden, and Henry Kumler, Jun.. trustees. 10 UNITED iniETiniEN PUBLISHING HOUSE The first quadreniiium in the new location was one of renewed activity. Two new periodicals were issued — the Uniiij Marjazmc in 1853 and the Chil- drciCs Friend in 1854, both edited by Bishop David Edwards. Thirteen new books were pul)lished and the circulation of all publications was largely in- creased. "To meet the expense of the new building and the large outlay necessary for new equipment, the trustees and agent were forced to borrow a large amount of money. This indebtedness, incurred at the very outset of the new venture, as at the found- ing in 1834, soon became a menace to the existence of the House and the cause of much anxiety to its friends." By 1857 the liabilities had grown to over !?53.000. Only a brief glance can here be taken at the financial struggles and progress of the House since 1857. During the two succeeding quadrenniums, although portions of valuable real estate were sold, the debt was not materially reduced, and in 1865 it exceeded $52,000. During the twelve years fol- lowing the removal, over $30,000 had been paid in interest on borrowed capital, and more than $25,- 000 had been lost under the credit system. Had the House been forced to dispose of its property to B^eet its indebtedness, it could hardly have paid dollar for dollar. It was at this crisis that the present publisher, Kev. W. J. Shuey, became connected with the HISTORICAL SKETCH 11 management. In 1804 he was ap])ointed assistant })iil)lisliing agent, in 1865 elected senior agent, and in 18GG became sole agent, which i)osition, by successive reelections, he has occupied ever since. Mr. Shaiey devised the plan of securing a Publica- tion Fund by assessment upon the conferences, which was adoi)ted l)y llie Cleneral Conference of 1865. The Church rallied entliusiastically to the support of the officers of the House and met the request of tlie General Conference and the assess- ments, so that the plan resulted in adding over $18,000 in cash to the capital of the Hou.se. With this assistance, by a restriction of the credit sys- tem, and by careful management, by the year 1880 the great debt had been canceled and the business placed upon a firm basis. The present financial standing of the House in the commercial world is of the highest character. Its net assets are over $330,000. Its receipts now reach nearly two hundred thousand dollars a year, and the gross receipts from the beginning have been nearly four millions of dollars. The improvements which have marked the ad- vancement of the years have been numerous and extensive. Again and again it has been necessary to add to the buildings, to remodel the old, and to enlarge the equipment, until the House has become one of the great establishments of the country. The various buildings, all of brick and four stories high, now occupy ground fronting 10 feet on Main 12 rNITED BRETHREN rUBLISHING HOUSE Street, 200 feet on Fourth Street, and 99.V feet on the east line, and afford a combined floor space of more than one acre. The buildings are well equipped with modern conveniences — sucli as steam-heating, electric power and light, elevators, pneumatic tubes, electric bells, district telegraph, telephones, watchman's and fire signal boxes, etc.; and though some of them are now old, they have been carefully preserved and present a tasteful and imposing exterior. The departments of the House now comprise the Publisher's Office, Book Department, Editorial Kooms, Composing, Job Printing, Electrotyping, Stereotyi^ing, and Engraving, Power, Press, Bind- ing, and Mailing Departments. All of these have been rei)eatedly enlarged. The bookstore — which is best known to the public — was located in 1854 in the corner room of the first floor. A few years later it was removed to the second floor, but in 1867 was again placed in its. old room on the first floor. Its quarters have been extended a number of times, until it is now one of the .largest bookstores in the West ; and its management has been such that its reputation as a first-class general, as well as religious and theological, ])0()kstore is thoroughly established. The cash sales of books from the beginning have amounted to nearly a million and a half dollars. The l)ooks published by the House have been HISTOlirCAL SKETCH 15 iiuineroiis and valuable. Almost without exci'plion they have discussed important themes in an able manner, and have secured the commendation of the puli)it and the press. In recent years many of its books have commanded the favorable notice of the most critical journals of the country. Over three hundred different books and pamphlets, of various sizes, have been issued since the founding, the principal departments of literature represented being church and Sunday-school music, Sunday- school library books, and historical, doctrinal, and practical theology. The periodicals issued now number thirteen, ten of which are English and three are German. Their combined circulation in July, 189-4, was over four hundred thousand, and the total nund)er of copies issued during the year ending April 1, 1894, was 6,088,950. Nine editors are employed in their preparation, and a high standard of excellence is maintained. These publications will be considered separately. The publishing agents since 1853 have been as follows : 1853 to 1854, Kev. Solomon Vonnieda ; a few months in 1854, Kev. Solomon Vonnieda and Henry Kumler, Jun.; 1855 to 1861, Rev. Solomon Vonnieda and Thomas N. Sowers; 1861 to 1864, Thomas N. Sowers and Jacob B. King; 1864 to 1865, Thomas N. Sowers and Rev. William J. Shuey; a few weeks in 1865, Rev. AVilliam J. Shuey and Thomas N. Sowers; 1865 to 1866, Revs. William 16 UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE J. Sliuey and William McKee; 18G6 to the present, Rev. William J. Sliuey. Mr. Sliuey has been agent for over thirty years, or more than half the life- time of the institution. The present trustees are as follows : D. L. Rike, Rev. George Miller, D.D., John Dodds, D. W. Crider, Prof. R. J. White, A.M., Rev. W. O. Fries, A.M., Rev. A. C. Wilmore, E. R. Smith, M.D., and Rev. G. M. Mathews. The executive committee consists of D. L. Rike, Rev. G. M. Mathews, and John Dodds. At first the number of employees was very small. "As late as 1845, only one editor (who was also publisher), one printer, and two apprentices were employed in conducting the whole business; that is, one performed all the work of editor, publisher, and bookseller, while another, with the aid of two boys, set all the type, and printed and mailed all the papers." In 1853 the number employed had increased to about fifteen. In 1856-57, a few years after the removal, the average number was thirty- three. At the present time over one hundred per- sons are employed, and the weekly wages average over twelve hundred dollars. The relation between capital and labor has given the Publishing House but little trouble. The managers seek to deal justly with all employees. Wages are paid regularly, and as far as possible steady employment is given. HISTORICAL SKETCH 17 THE PERIODICALS. THE RELIGIOUS TELESCOPE. The chief object of the fathers in establishing a Church publishing house was the publication of a paper which was called the Religions Telescope, and from the day of its first issue, December 31, 1834, up to the present time it has always been the center of denominational life. While other im- portant interests have grown up around and some- times seemed to overshadow it, its progress has kept pace with the general advancement and it still re- mains the great organ of influence in the Church. The history of the Religious Telescope is yet to be written. Chronological tables are wholly in- adequate to present the story of its long career. That it came into existence simultaneously with the Publishing House, that it has been edited by a succession of able editors whose names may be briefly mentioned, that it has frequently changed its form, its dress, its price, and varied in its circu- lation, — all this may soon be recorded. But that great life which has pulsated through the body of the Church for sixty years, cannot readily be out- lined upon the pages of history. Some one, in future time, may attempt to delineate the intel- lectual, moral, and religious phases of its life, as recorded in the great volumes which from year to year have been added to the record it has made, but the present sketch must be conflned to a few easily gathered facts. 18 UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE The first number of the Religious Telescope, as has been stated, consisted of only four pages, 15x22 inches in size, and was printed from small type. A facsimile of this issue is published in the six- tieth anniversary number of this paper. At first the Telescope was issued only semi-monthly, but on the 30th of July, 18-15, it became a weekly, and such it has remained to the present time. Its form, type, and price have often been changed. It is now a sixteen-page quarto, and its price is $2.00 per annum, or $1.75 in clnbs of five to nine, and $1.50 in clubs of ten or more. It is printed from stereotype plates, and in appearance compares favorably with the best of its class. Its present circulation is about seventeen thousand. The first editor was Rev. William R. Rhinehart, whose official connection with the paper continued until 1839. He was succeeded by Rev. William Hanby; and he, in 1845, by Rev. David Edwards. In 1849 Mr. Hanby again became editor, but in 1852 resigned this position to become publishing agent. In the latter year Rev. John Lawrence, who had been assistant editor since 1850, became editor. Since 1852 the following persons have been editors and assistant or associate editors respec- tively: Ediiors — Rev. John Lawrence, 1852 to 1864; Rev. Daniel Berger, 1864 to 1869; Rev. Milton Wright, 1869 to 1873; Revs. Milton Wright and William O. Tobey, A.M., 1873 to 1877; Rev. James W. Hott, D.D., 1877 to 1889; Rev. I. L. HISTORICAL SKETCH 19 Kephnrt, D.D., 1889 to the present. Assistant Editors — Ilex. Williaiu O. Tobey, A.M., 1877 to 1881; Eev. Marion E. Drury, A.M., 1881 to 1889. Associdic Editor — Rev. Marion R. Drury, D.D., 1889 to the present. It will thns ])e seen that only ton men have been connected with the editorial nianati;ein('nt since the fonnding of the i)aper. Of these Rev. John Lawrence, as assistant editor and editor, served the longest time — fourteen years. EDITORIAL BOOMS OF THE RELIGIOUS TELESCOPE. It is hardly possible, in this brief outline, to make s])ecial mention of any of these men. Upon the whole, they were well fitted for the work com- mitted to their charge, and were often called upon to deal with important and delicate questions of 20 UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE church and state. Upon the great subjects of human slavery, temperance, and other reforms, the Religious Telescope, under their care, has given no uncertain sound. Its utterances, from the begin- ning, have often been as bugle-blasts to the advance guard of reformers and philanthropists. It has welcomed every worthy agency for the advance- ment of the Church, the preservation of our civil liberties, and the improvement of society, and it stands to-day as an advocate of all that is best in the life and progress of humanity. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL PERIODICALS. Of the six English Sunday-school periodicals now published by the House, the Children's Friend is the oldest, having been begun in 1854. with Bishop David Edwards as editor. The Missionavji Visitor was established in 1865, with Kev. D. K. Flickinger as editor. These have always been semi-monthly papers, and together now furnish reading for every Sabbath in the year. They are small folios, and are profusely illustrated. The former is edited by the Sunday-school editors, and the latter by the corresponding secretary of the Missionary Society. The four periodicals comprising the lesson series — namely. Our Bible Teacher; Our Bible-Lesson Quarierly, Our Iniermediaie Bible-Lesson Quar- terly, and Lesso7is for fhe Liitle Ones — had their origin in the International Sunday-School Lesson movement, beginning with 1873. Lesson Leaves HISTORICAL SKETCH 23 for tJic Siniddi/ ScJtool a})peai-e(l on the 1st of Janiifu-y of that year, under the editorial man- agement of Eev. D. Berger, and in 1882 devel- oped into the Iiilcniicdiaie Quarfo-li/. Our Bible Teacher was first published in April, 1873, under the same editorial care. The first number of Onr BihJe-Lcsson Qaarterhj was issued in January, 1879, and Lessons for the LitUe Ones has been published since April 2, 1876. All of these ixiblications are familiar to the membership of the Church. They are well edited, and rank among the best periodicals of their class in the country. Their combined circulation in July, 1894, was over three hundred and sixty-five thousand. The following have been editors of the Sabbath- school literature : Bishop David Edwards, 1854 to 1857; Kev. Alexander Owen, 1857 to 1859; Kev. Solomon Vonnieda, 1859 to 1869 ; Kev. D. Berger, D.D., 1869 to 1893 ; Rev. J. W. Etter, D.D., 1893 to the present. The associate editors have been Eev. J. W. Etter, D.D., 1889 to 1893; Rev. H. A. Thompson, D.D., LL.D., 1893 to the present. Dr. Berger occupied the editorial chair for a period of twenty-four years, during a portion of which time he was also a mend)er of the International Lesson Committee. THE WATCH WGllD. The youngest paper now published is the Waich- ivord, the organ of the Young People's Christian 24 UNITED BRETHREN TUBLISHING HOUSE Union. In response to a demand ujjon the part of the young people of the Church, it was established in 1893, the first number being dated September 2 of that year, and hence it is only a little more than a year old. Its editor is Eev. H. F. Shupe. It is a small quarto of eight pages, issued weekly, with illustrations, and its price is §1.00 per annum, or 75 cents in clubs of five or more. A hearty recep- tion has been given to this paper, its popularity being attested by its increasing circulation and the many warm words of praise which are freely bestowed. MAGAZINE LITERATURE. By order of the General Conference of 1853 a monthly magazine, generally known as The Unity Magazine, was published by the House in Novem- ber of that year. At first it was devoted chiefly to the promotion of holiness, but its character was afterward modified. Its first editor was Bishop David Edwards. In 1857 Eev. Alexander Owen was elected editor. A strong effort seems to have been made to sus- tain the publication, but without success, and in January, 1859, it was suspended. The editor, in a lengthy valedictory, declared that the magazine had "had a hard road to travel," and had never been known to "smile." No attempt was made to esta])lish a successor to the Unity Magazine until 1889, when the General Conference ordered the publication of a (quarterly s<^ (jf^ HISTORICAL SKETCH 27 magazine to be devoted to religion, theology, edu- cation, and the family. Accordingly, the QuaHerhj Review of Ike United Brethren in Christ made its appearance, the first number being dated January, 1890. Ptev. J. W. Etter, D.D., was elected editor and sustained that relation for four years. In 1891, the editor having been elected a professor in Union Biblical Seminary, he was assisted for a time by the other professors in that institution. The General Conference of 1893 placed the maga- zine in the care of the professors of the Semi- nary, but with the last number for that year the trustees, because of insufficient support, ordered it discontinued. Since that time an organization of ministers called "The Review Publishing Asso- ciation" has continued its publication, with Rev. G. M. Mathews as its managing editor. Gratuitous editorial services have made it possible to thus continue the periodical since 1893. From the beginning the magazine has been handsomely printed from clear type upon heavy paper, and each numl)er has contained at least ninety-six pages. The present price is ^1.50 per annum. The Review has received high commendation from the press as well as from denominational sources. It has afforded an opportunity for the publication of many valuable articles, and if prop- erly supported has a special field of usefulness. 28 UNITED URETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE THE GERMAN PERIODICALS. Next to the Ecligious Telescope, the oldest periodical of the Church is the Frohliche Bot- schafter. It "had its origin in the effort of Rev. John Russel to publish a German monthly paper called Die Geschaefh'ge Martha (The Busy Mar- iha). It was issued from Baltimore, Maryland, its first issue appearing March 7, 1840. In 1841 the General Conference arranged to establish a print- ing-office in Baltimore for the publication of a German periodical. Eev. John Russel, C. Staley, and H. Wigang were appointed trustees, and Rev. Jacob Erb editor. One-third of the subscription list of the Religious Telescope was ordered trans- ferred to the German paper. Mr. Russers journal was merged into the new periodical, and the first number of the new Busy Marfha appeared July 1, 1841. In June, 1842, it was discontinued for want of sufficient support. "In October, 1846, the House at Circleville began the publication of a paper called Der Deidsche Telescope {The German Telescope), edited by Rev. Nehemiah Altman." In 1849 the name was changed to Die Geschaeftige Mariha, and November 11, 1851, it became Der Frohliche Botschaffer. The editors have been the following : Rev. John Russel, 1840 to 1841; Rev. Jacob Erb, 1841 to 1842; Rev. N. Altman, 1846 to 1847; Rev. David Strickler, 1847 to 1851; Rev. Henry Staub, 1851 to 1855; Rev. Julius Degmeier, 1855 to 1858; Rev. Solomon Von- HISTOKICAL SKETCH 31 iiietla, 1858 to 1866; Rev. Ezekiel Light, 1866 to 1869, 1885 to 1889, and a few weeks in 1893; Rev. William Mittendorf, 1869 to 1885, 1889 to May, 1893, and July, 1893, to the present. In 1866 the paper was transferred to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, but by order of the General Confer- ence was returned to Dayton in 1869. At first the paper was a small quarto of eight pages, issued semi-monthly. From 1856 to 1858 it was published weekly. From 1858 to 1866 it was again a semi-monthly, Ijut since 1866 it has been a weekly. For a time it was a folio, but for some years it has been a medium-sized quarto of eight pages. The original price was $1.00 per annum. It is now $1.75. lu 1853 the circulation was 1,158. It has never risen to two thousand, and is now 1,100. In 1870 Dcr Jugend Pilgcr, a German Sunday- school paper, was established. It was issued at first as a monthly, but since 1874 has been a semi- monthly. Its size and price are the same as those of the Children's Friend. Its present circulation is 2,500. The editorial management is under the care of the editor of the Fvohliclie Bofschaftcr. Since 1890 a German Sunday-school quarterly has been published, entitled SoiutUtgscliuI-Leclionen. It consists of twenty-four pages, with cover. All of these periodicals are ably edited, and are worthy of a much larger circulation. "Financially, the German periodicals have been conducted at a loss, almost from the befrinnins;. 32 UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE This is the result, chiefly, of the limited German membership of the Church, which is hardly suffi- cient to properly sustain the German publications." The loss sustained by the House from this source has been, for the last twenty-five years, nearly $30,000, and it must continue as long as these periodicals are published. These publications, however, are necessary to the success of the German work, and for the present must be con- tinued. THE woman's EVANGEL. The Womaii's Erangcl, though the property of the AVoman's Missionary Association, is printed by and issued from the Publishing House, and is an official publication of the Church. Its first number was dated January, 1882. It is a magazine of six- teen pages, a cover having recently been added, and the price, originally 75 cents, is now only 50 cents per annum. It is devoted to the interests of missions, with special reference to the woman's work of the Church. Its circulation is about five thousand. The first editor was Mrs. L. K. Keister, M.A., w'ho retained charge until 1893, when she resigned and was succeeded by Mrs. L. K. Miller, M.A., the present editor. From 1888 to 1893 Mrs. Miller was associate editor. The high character of this i)eri()dical is shown by the decided success wliicli it has achieved in a field which, in our Church, was entirely new. HI8T0KICAL SKETCH 33 CONCLUSION. Ill coiK-hisioii, it should l)e remarked that the success of the Publishing House has depended in no small degree ui)on the cooperation of the min- isters of the Church, who, as its authorized agents, have aided in the distribution of its products. It is also a pleasure to state that the intiuonce of the House is widely extended. The Establish- ment has been growing steadily as time has ad- vanced, until it is recognized as one of the great agencies for good in the land. The constant aim is to publish only such books and periodicals as will be most useful in the elevation of mind and heart. It is the desire and hope of all who are interested in the advancement of the Church that the patronage of the House shall continue to in- crease, and that its intluence in the dissemination of truth and the promotion of righteousness may be greatly enlarged with the passing of the years. THE RELIGIOUS TELESCOPE. BY E. S. LORENZ. WHE^f darkness falls upon the tides of men That surge and flow and eddy till again The voice of ocean seems our ears to greet, With tube heaven-pointed oft a man we meet, Half vagrant, yet suggestion he doth bring Of men who from the silent stars would wring The myst'ries that await their coming feet. The passing crowd he loudly doth entreat : "Come, leave your hounding cares and worldly ways. And turn for once your awed and reverent gaze Upon the moon, that with its dead, scarred face The path it living trod must still retrace ; Or on rich Saturn, with his ever-changing rings ; Or on red Mars, the torch of war who flings ; Or view the moons that turn the night to day For Jupiter, and varied changes play; Or, gazing farther, mark the comet's sweep Whose coming long ago made nations weep." Men stop their heedless haste, their hurrying feet, And view the heavens, so awful, yet so sweet. Their i^ride is humbled, and the nothingness Of human life, its joy and its distress. Their hearts oppresses ; for relief they turn To Him by whom the constellations burn. 34 THE KELIGIOUS TELESCOPE 35 II. So thou, Religions Telescope, dost stand And point, in nifiny a home tiirou^'hout the land. Away from earth and its consuminfr care, Unto the heavens — the grandeur blazing there; Dost pleiid with men: "Oh, cease your love of earth, Your lust of small possession, and the mirth That rises out of petty, groveling things. Unworthy of the soul whose hidden wings Do shrink and shrivel, lose their power to rise Into the glories of its native skies. Lift up your eyes, lift up your sinking hearts, And find the deeper joys that Heaven imparts; Cease stirring in the dust: the jewels high You seek so long are gleaming in the sky." Men heed thy plea, and gazing long through thee, They lose their care for time. Eternity Reveals its dark abysses, glories bright; And mysteries that fainting souls affright, Like nebula? that hazy shine above, Now gleam with stars of God's eternal love. The vaster growing distance pierce thou still ; Add star to star, till constellations fill The great round heaven of human thought, and men. 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