Newspaper - Tract

The American Tract Society has been part of the fabric of American social and religious change since the early 1800s. Founded in 1825 in New York City, the society’s purpose was to publish and distribute tracts and Christian literature to the American people.

The society quickly gained momentum, producing millions of tracts, booklets, books, magazines, and Bibles within a few years. They enlisted traveling salesmen, called colporteurs, to deliver the literature to churches, homes, and individuals on the streets. Before the founding of the American Tract Society, the primary form of evangelistic literature was the Bible. In 1825, two separate religious organizations—the New York Religious Tract Society and the New England Religious Tract Society—merged to form the American Tract Society. Tracts were smaller, easier to store and distribute, and cheaper to print, making them ideal for handing out on the street or to the military, who had limited capacity to carry items.

By 1850, the society was producing 5 million tracts annually. During the Civil War, they provided Union soldiers with Bibles, and by the late 1860s, they supplied Bibles to every cadet entering West Point Academy.

After over 100 years of operations in New York City, the American Tract Society moved to Texas in the 1970s. Today, nearly 200 years later, the society continues to produce tracts, print materials, and spread the message of Jesus to millions worldwide.

This particular tract caught my eye while browsing an antique store. I was sifting through a large selection of pictures, postcards, and miscellaneous papers when this small tract stood out. Noticing it was from the American Tract Society, I thought it would be interesting to compare a modern tract with one from decades past. For those unfamiliar, a tract is a small piece of paper containing a gospel message, typically aimed at those who don’t believe in Jesus. You may have been handed one while walking down the street. Tracts are now produced by many churches and companies, but the American Tract Society holds a prestigious legacy in Bible and tract publishing. I purchased the tract and, a few days later, examined it closely. What I found was far more intriguing than just a tiny piece of paper. After some research, I discovered it wasn’t from the 1930s or 1940s but likely from the 1800s, possibly around the Civil War era. Reading it, I noticed it resembled a military informational pamphlet, with the message of Jesus conveyed in military terms.

On the back, it lists the American Tract Society at 28 Cornhill, Boston. Around the time of the Civil War, another conflict was brewing—one less discussed. Christians disagreed over slavery. Some ignored the issue, while others were outspoken against it. I’m not here to judge human nature, condone, or condemn but to offer a different perspective. Another office in New York City was also printing and distributing tracts. For those less familiar with geography, both cities are in the North, yet they held differing views on slavery. The New York office avoided condemning slavery in its publications, as many of their tracts were distributed in the South and to pro-slavery individuals in the North. The Boston office, however, believed it was necessary to denounce the evil of slavery. This disagreement ultimately led to a split between the two offices.

I haven’t confirmed whether this tract was specifically for soldiers fighting in the war. It is certainly an early tract, labeled as number 10, while most compilations of American Tract Society tracts begin with later numbers. I have yet to find another copy of tract number 10. If you have any information or would like to share your thoughts, please email me at forgottenthreads1912@gmail.com.