Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
October 26, 1845
The New York Herald
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
The Presbyterian Synod convenes to address the American Tract Society's continued alterations to deceased authors' religious works, violating a prior promise. Debate ensues, with examples from Edwards' book cited; the report is deferred to the next session.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Presbyterian Synod.
This body resumed its sitting yesterday at 9 A. M. The minutes of the previous day's proceedings were slightly amended and adopted.
The Rev. Mr. Read got up and moved that the reporters of the public press be excluded, when the Rev. Mr. Rowland stood up for the rights of the press, and insisted that the proceedings of the Synod were public, and every person that desired should have the privilege of attending.
The motion of the Rev. Mr. Read fell to the ground by its own weight, no member seconding it.
The report of the committee on collection was handed to the Moderator, by which it appeared that the sum of $32 was collected from 128 members.
The next business before the Synod, being the report of the committee on the subject of the alterations by the American Tract Society, and the works of deceased authors—
The Rev. Mr. Adams submitted a resolution to lay the report on the table.
The American Tract Society is composed of members of different persuasions, and the committee for publication, for the time being, have been in the habit of taking great liberties with the works of deceased authors, not scruping to alter and make such additions to them as suited their own peculiar views. Last year the Presbyterian Synod took a stand against this, and appointed a committee to inquire into the matter, and report to the Synod at its present session, and this is the report in question.
In consequence of this movement by the Synod, the American Tract Society at its last anniversary, in May last, gave a promise that they would abandon the practice, but the Presbyterians contend that in violation of this promise, the society has since May continued the practice, and have published various religious works which have been altered in the manner described, without even designating on the title page that they had made any alterations.
The Rev. Mr. McLean spoke at some length in opposition to the motion, and in support of his argument for the action of the Synod on the subject quoted several alterations which had been made by the Tract Society in the work of Edwards, called History of Surprising Conversions, some of which entirely changed the meaning of the author's sentiments. He stated that in that work alone there were upwards of 500 alterations. He also cited other works which had been mutilated in the same way, and also since the promise given by the Tract Society in May last.
There was a good deal of discussion on the motion, and various amendments were proposed but rejected: finally Dr. Eddy proposed a resolution that the report of the committee be put on the docket for the consideration of the Synod at its next session, which was passed, and on motion the Synod adjourned sine die.
This body resumed its sitting yesterday at 9 A. M. The minutes of the previous day's proceedings were slightly amended and adopted.
The Rev. Mr. Read got up and moved that the reporters of the public press be excluded, when the Rev. Mr. Rowland stood up for the rights of the press, and insisted that the proceedings of the Synod were public, and every person that desired should have the privilege of attending.
The motion of the Rev. Mr. Read fell to the ground by its own weight, no member seconding it.
The report of the committee on collection was handed to the Moderator, by which it appeared that the sum of $32 was collected from 128 members.
The next business before the Synod, being the report of the committee on the subject of the alterations by the American Tract Society, and the works of deceased authors—
The Rev. Mr. Adams submitted a resolution to lay the report on the table.
The American Tract Society is composed of members of different persuasions, and the committee for publication, for the time being, have been in the habit of taking great liberties with the works of deceased authors, not scruping to alter and make such additions to them as suited their own peculiar views. Last year the Presbyterian Synod took a stand against this, and appointed a committee to inquire into the matter, and report to the Synod at its present session, and this is the report in question.
In consequence of this movement by the Synod, the American Tract Society at its last anniversary, in May last, gave a promise that they would abandon the practice, but the Presbyterians contend that in violation of this promise, the society has since May continued the practice, and have published various religious works which have been altered in the manner described, without even designating on the title page that they had made any alterations.
The Rev. Mr. McLean spoke at some length in opposition to the motion, and in support of his argument for the action of the Synod on the subject quoted several alterations which had been made by the Tract Society in the work of Edwards, called History of Surprising Conversions, some of which entirely changed the meaning of the author's sentiments. He stated that in that work alone there were upwards of 500 alterations. He also cited other works which had been mutilated in the same way, and also since the promise given by the Tract Society in May last.
There was a good deal of discussion on the motion, and various amendments were proposed but rejected: finally Dr. Eddy proposed a resolution that the report of the committee be put on the docket for the consideration of the Synod at its next session, which was passed, and on motion the Synod adjourned sine die.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Presbyterian Synod
American Tract Society
Religious Alterations
Deceased Authors
Edwards Conversions
What entities or persons were involved?
Rev. Mr. Read
Rev. Mr. Rowland
Rev. Mr. Adams
Rev. Mr. Mclean
Dr. Eddy
Story Details
Key Persons
Rev. Mr. Read
Rev. Mr. Rowland
Rev. Mr. Adams
Rev. Mr. Mclean
Dr. Eddy
Story Details
The Presbyterian Synod debates a report on the American Tract Society's unauthorized alterations to works of deceased authors, including over 500 changes to Edwards' History of Surprising Conversions, despite a promise to cease the practice. A motion to table the report leads to discussion; ultimately, it is docketed for the next session.