American Sunday School Union
The American Sunday School Union was formed at Philadelphia, in
May, 1834, by the combination of several local Societies, which
previously existed, the largest of which, was the "Philadelphia
Sunday and Adult School Union," formed in 1817. The objects of
this Institution, as stated in the first Article, are, "To
concentrate the efforts of Sunday School Societies, in different
sections of our country; to strengthen the hands of the friends
of Religious Instruction, on the Lord's Day; to disseminate
useful information; to circulate Moral and Religious
Publications, in every part of the land; and to endeavor to
plant a Sunday School, wherever there is a population."
It embraces members, who belong to the following denominations
of Christians; Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians,
Baptists, Methodists, Reformed Dutch, German Reformed,
Lutherans, Moravians, and others.
In the "Principles Of The Union,'' it is stated; That whilst
members of these several denominations, thus connect themselves
for this general purpose, it is mutually understood that the
Society shall assume no control over any school whatever; that
every Christian Church in the land, shall be encouraged to
establish schools on its own principles; and that the aid of
their books, and helps shall be afforded to them all, on as
Cheap Terms, as they can be furnished.
To secure a more perfect concurrence of Christians, the Agents,
Missionaries, and other persons employed by the Society are
selected indiscriminately, as far as possible, from different
denominations, regard being had only, to the piety and
qualifications of the persons so engaged.''
The general object, to which the funds of the Society are
appropriated, are two fold;
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1st, the establishment and support of of Sunday Schools,
in destitute places, especially in the western and
southern states.
2nd, the distribution of the Societies' publications, at
the lowest prices, or gratuitously, wherever readers can
be found, not only in this country, but at various
protestant Missionary stations of the earth, where they
are wanted for English readers, as well as for the aid
of compilers and translators, in native languages.
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Annual subscribers of $3 a year, are members of the Society, and
the payment of $30, at one time, constitutes a Life Member.
The receipts of the Society, for Books and Donations, during the
year, amounted to $88,884 17, of which, less than $15,000 were
donations.
The Constitution provides, that the Officers and Managers shall
be Laymen.
The mechanical work of the Society, (paper making stereotyping
engraving, printing, binding, &c, is all done by contract.
The Society own neither types, presses, or tools of trade; and
is only responsible for using the best endeavors to get it done
well, and at a fair price.
The time and service of the Board are bestowed gratuitously. The
Superintendent of the Society's Book Store the Editors of the
Society's Publications, and the Clerks, are paid for their
services.
All the Books of the Society are published under the direction
of a Committee, consisting of eight Members, from at least, four
different denominations of Christians, and not more than two
Members are from any one denomination: and no Book can be
published, to which, any Member of the Committee shall object.
The establishment and support of Sunday Schools, in every part
of the country, being the great object of "the Union," the
Agents and Missionaries, employed by the Society, are instructed
to extend their labors indiscriminately among every denomination
of evangelical Christians; and men of every denomination are
employed.
The entire Funds of the Society, arising from the Sale of its
Publications and Contributions, from benevolent individuals, are
devoted (exclusively) to the Benefit of Sunday Schools
The relation of an auxiliary involves no obligation which is not
expressed, in the clause of the Constitution, referring to it;
any Society or School is as independent, after it connects
itself with the Society, as it was before. The Society has no
control over it, and cannot interfere in any form, with its
proceedings. Its patrons and friends, may have a School when,
and where they please, nor can the Society oblige them to
support any of its plans, or abandon their own. In addition to
this, the relation may be dissolved at the pleasure of the
auxiliaries; indeed, it is constituted for their benefit, rather
than for that of the parent Union.
The ground and buildings of the Society (146 Chesnut Street,
Philadelphia) cost $42,000, of which $20,000 were contributed
for this object, by citizens of Philadelphia, and the sum of
$20,000 is still due. The marble front, was put up without
expense to the Society.
The Society has already published between 4 and 500 different
(reading) Books, more than 300 of which, are handsomely bound,
and cost one mill and two-thirds per page. The residue are put
up in paper, or bound in small volumes, to the number of twenty
or thirty.
These Books form an extensive Sunday School Library, suitable
for Children and Youth. They are circulated through thousands of
families; and every person, friend or foe, may examine them for
himself. The use of the Library is gratuitous.
The Reports of the Society, up to May 26, 1835, show that, there
are, or have been connected with it, upwards of 16,000 schools,
115,000 teachers, and 799,000 pupils. At least 60,000 Teachers
and Pupils have become Professors of of Religion, during the 15
years of the Society's existence.
The general depository, for the sale of the Society's
publications, is at No. 146, Chesnut Street, Philadelphia, and
the principal branches are at No. 152, Nassau Street, New York.
No. 8, Cornhill, Boston. Wood Street, Pittsburgh. Gennessee
Street, Utica; and Fourth Street, Cincinnati.
A complete set of their Publications, bound in uniform style may
be had for about $80; such a set would embrace 405 Volumes.
History of Philadelphia
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