Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-09-25
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FOR THE GAZETTE

eSfuplf3HfAg cHft5fttN CfstF, fIa8 Hltf9i an Pre-
~ IN the Disricf # hiiae,'' Is now placed
before the public. and the extensive design
of that institution lead its friends and pat
roas TO anticipate great benefiis fiom rs
regular operation. II is Thought suitable
aud exaedeh. 20 submit few remarks on
is ifigin, rs Present stale, and is leading
design.
rs Origin. Several gentlemen in the Dis
tgicl before any Bible Society was establish
Cd in the country, were deeply impressed
with the Importance Of a more familiar use
of the holy scriptures in iamiIie, {, 4chools
as recommended several years since by the
Reverend Convention OF Masssehass It's
l. was med very de SRA bic 10 rioft sun,e
mode Of uniting the efforts Of the iafuential
and religious part Of he District, IN dilU
sing christian knowledge In carry INK The
Inspired volume TO families destitute of that
sacred treasure and IN c9l,ns ths atten
ton Of people Of every class Ia he S..bba,h
and public worship, so christian order ahd
virtue. The mode, which after mature de.
liberation and inquiry was considered most
eligible, Is now EXPRESSED IN Tie institu-
Lion Of the Eastern Society
The present STATE. The first anniversary
of the Society was celebrated at Brunswick
or Comm encelnent day. After meeting
and organizing IN the manner directed by
the Act Of Incorporation, the Society pro-
ceeded at o'clpck 20 the meeting house,
where tie Rev Freeman Parker, Of Dres-
dea, opened the solemnities Of the oeets,on
BY humble and dcvout PRAYER. An appro-
pirate and e., client address was then dc.
livered BY Alden Bradford, ESQ The fol-
lowing extract, which we have obtained,
VII, We doubt NJ, recominsni the author
81 Il anl the institution he illustrated, TO the
religious pubic.
-" In fetefring to the benefits render
ed . tie people in his part of the country,
BY the Society at Boston for propagaiing the
gospel, N recoliecNons urge me to notice
two OF is deceased Missionaries b. whose
Instrumental, tie objects of the Society
were particularly promoted. To she active
lahors, Tie prudent zeal, and the res chris
tim eaador Of the Rev Dmiei Lire, and
the Rev. d'exaader NJ Lean, the Society is
principally indebted for the good produced
nnler its auspices in tie Distyie. Of Name
1t WIS never their desire 10 gain Droselytes
To particular sect nor 10 excite disputes
on difficult subjects in theology; bur to per-
suade nen to be really desout and holy
q her Societies have been recently Termed
in this and neighbouring States with sim
liar si,ws. and the effects produced cannot
fail to be propitlous to the welfare and i'm
proyement of the people. Much good, we
think, will also be effected BY the societies
lalefy Instituted at PHILADELPHIA and Boston,
in imitation OF one of an older date at Ian.
.iyr, for the ii strlbution OF the hay 5ibie.--
The poorer orders of PEOPLE. many of whom
ARE destitute Of THIS sacred volume, will
thus be provided with the pure word of
Cod, to instruct, 10 sancti.y and console
them In conformity to the principles Of
these institutions, and, W. may hope, in
humble aid of their benevolent views. 50.
cialy has here been forme.. for rromoting
christian knowledge, order and piety IN the
Disvict If Maine. Tho we do not Claim
comparison with others in our ability and
funds. We are DESTROYS Of uniting our exer.
tons with theirs, and OF cooperating with
the friends OF religion in other parts OF the
world, Ia extending the knowledge and
blessings Of the gospel OF Christ. 1t will
moi, we trust, be said, ia the spirit of 1blec-
ton. that such Society 5 rendered unne-
eessary by the ESTABLISHING Ut of others of
a similar mature. We NAV he instrumental
in dlilusing the charity of more opalent as
socia,ions. Oar local situation also affords
us an opportunity OF contributing much 10
the moral and religious improvement of our
fellow men In the new settlements, in
this part of.the country, there ate many M
provided with the stated preaching Of the
gospel, and heads Of rising families TOO poor
=, purchase the volume Ct pred scripture,
SO important both IL their prestn nj and tu-
ture welfare. Should we, however, admit
that III owing to die criminal ma,,ention Of
the parent 81. numerous family, that I've
msi his children are uniurnislled with tins
sacred book, is il not our duty 10 put into
their hands the gospel 81. Our common saliva
ton Aud may we hot justly hope. that 1t
will be the occasion of giving spiritual light
AMI life 10 some Of the household
In our opinion, there is also great pro-
prie.y IN the establishments of such society
al this seat OF human Literature and science.
Here, annually, will asst mbie the iriends of
learning from various parts Of the Common
wealth. Aud we need not hesitate TO as
sert, That the best friends of learning are
also the patrons IF our holy religion. In
New EnglaBd there has ever been happy
union Of science and religion. Our most
learned oitizens have been nursing fathers
aud guardians Of the church And the
eschefs of christianity have been the
f,ien aud patrons Of human literature.
Permit me also TO ,eaerve, that the Soci-
eiy w nave formed has received the az.
probation If the Legislature of the Com
mnnwealth. And when we reflect upon
she encourage mcnt given by our Rulers 10
reliisiuus institutions, may we not indulge
ale hope, tha, their aid will occasionally be
granted rs m prosecuting the objects OF our
association We do not wish them TO favor
one sect oil christians 10 the neglect OF 9TH
.ers. But we d. earnestly desire. that, like
our Magistrates Of former times, they may
give IN eiteeiud support to the institutions
and &c schers of ,hal divine religion, which
is calculated to make men good citizens IN