The Portland Gazette

FOREIGN ARTICLES

"Columbian Bible."--Complaints have reached us from almost every part of the State against the impositions of strangers from Massachusetts and Vermont urging people to patronize their publications; and it is said that by their promises and insinuating manners, several thousand copies have been disposed of among us at a price, to speak within bounds, double their value. In addition to the evil of carrying immense sums of money out of the State, it makes people distrustful, and tends to prevent them from subscribing or using any useful and valuable works, which must depend entirely on subscriptions to enable the publishers to lay them before the public. A writer in a late Boston Recorder, resident in this State, after remarking on the execution and the "medley of opposite sentiments" which the Columbian Bible contains, says: I can regard this work in no other light than as a catch-penny publication, and an imposition on the public.
I was confirmed in this opinion by the manner in which subscriptions have been solicited and obtained. Some persons have been unreasonably urged to subscribe. In some instances agents have resorted to maneuvering in an unbecoming manner. They have tried to make it appear that they had the countenance of men whose opinions would be regarded by others; when their opinions had not been given or were opposed to the work. They have adopted unfair methods of concealing the unfavorable opinions of such men. Two instances have come to my knowledge, in which very strong prevarication was used, if not direct and absolute falsehood. Their conduct in this region has been so much like swindling, that some persons doubt whether the proprietors could collect subscriptions legally. I have the private assurance of one agent concerned in the business that any subscribers who are dissatisfied shall be released. Whether this was said from fear of the consequences of retaining them, or from a generous magnanimity, I will not undertake to determine.
However, it is said many subscribers are dissatisfied; and I hope many will claim the privilege of withdrawing their names.
* It is to be lamented that so much deception is practised upon the community in the circulation of books; and especially that men should make unrighteous speculations in the sale of the Holy Bible. When glaring attempts of this kind are made, it appears to be Christian duty to expose them.