The
members of the society made declaration that their publications had nothing
to do with any of the isms in religion. Their great object was the increase
of practical goodness, the improvement of men in all that truly exalts and
ennobles them or that qualifies them for usefulness and happiness. Most of
their tracts were in the form of stories of a didactic character, in which
the writers assumed the broad principles of Christian theology and ethics
which are common to all the followers of Christ, without meddling with
sectarian prejudice or party views. In such statements as these the
promoters of this work indicated their methods, their aim being to furnish
good reading to youth, and to those in scattered communities who could not
have access to books that were instructive. Besides the tracts of this kind
the society also published a series for adults, which were of a more
strictly devotional character, and yet did not omit to provide
entertainment and instruction.[14] This society continued its work for
many years, and it issued a considerable number of tracts and books that
well served the purpose for which they were designed.
[Sidenote: Harvard Divinity School.]
One important result of the theological discussions of the time was the
organization of the Divinity School in connection with Harvard College.
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