Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-17
10 Tie LIBERAL and PIoUS, he .foNoq9img
Statement ard PROPOSAL are Tca-


10 The LJBERhL and PIoUS, tie .JoHos2img
Statement, ard PROPOSAL are rta-
fecJuHy Submitted.
A FEW years ago, some Jealous and pi-
IN Gus Christians conceived the idea of
communicating to the Heather the blessings
of the Gospel, by Missionaries, sent under
the auspices, and at the expence Of societies
instituted for thar purpose. About the same
period, the state ofour W countrymen was
taken under serious consideration. The wide
)y-extended region comprehcaded in the Ii
lnits of the United States was then, as it is
now, rapidly growing in population. A va
,iety of circumstances put it out Of the pow
er OF the people in many parts of the coun-
try 20 obtain the Preaching of the Gospel.
Iucy were-fo,Hetthg the little that they
knew OF religious truth, and their children
were growing up in almost, heathenish iG-
norance. 1t was determined by similar as
sociations, TO afford to our Fellow citizens,
who were destitute of the a-saas.ofsrace,
and "pcrishing for want ofkn owIedge," the
opportunity of knowing ODD, and Jesus
Christ, whom to know is lie cternal.'
These efforts have, in a very encouraging
degree, been crowned with success. The
habitations OF darkness have been illumina-
ted by the light of the sun of righteousness.
TIL rose of Sharon has been planted in the
icy regions OF the north, in The scorching
plains OF Africa, and OH the banks of the
Ganges. In these distant regions, it blooms
and breathes its fragrance, and the nations
rejoice in it. The semi human Hottentot,
and the Greenlander equally savage, the
poor distressed IIindd and the wild man of
our own deserts, have feit the life-giving in
huences of the Go4telAf Jesus Christ. and
havchope III his salvatiop. And in our own
country, numbers, WHO were in "the broad
way that leadcth to destruction" nave been
reclaimed. and are living witnesses of the
power and grace that are in Christ Jesus.
1t was to be expected that in this work
of evangelizing the heather, and those who
live like heather III Christian countries,
great difficulties must be encountered. OF
these one Of the chief arose from ignorance
OF those writings which Contain the doctrines
and precepts Of Christianity. Indeed with
cut the study Of the Bible religion can never
make any considerable progress. But how
can they who have no Ribleseven
tits study! Experience of these difficulties,
perhaps, suggested the idea a. forming soci-
cites for the gratuitous distribution of Bibles
among the poor, and for aiding the trans
iation of tile aacrcd scriptures into the va
rIous languages of the earth, to BE- commu
nicated to all nations. This plan originated
IN England, and was speedily put into o1e-
ration. Heaven has in a remarkable man
ner smiled upon it, and crowned with sue
cess the labnnrs of the individuals engaged
IN it. The British and Foreign Bible Socie-
ty was established in the year 1905, aud has
Tor pine years prosecute4swith the most
praiseworthy zeal the ELSA its institute
on. There are now Eighty eight auxiliary
Bible Societies in Great Britain The parent
CnCfof.- ,,,el. A. - = - -.-A
Ing the year ending tile 31st Mhrch 1879,
distributed upwards of, $4,000 lHblcs, and
10000 Testaments. The 3moutxo of distri
buttons since the institution Of IL Society
(exclusive of Il number Of coffss Of the scrip
lures, published at their eXpence on the
continent of Europc) is 40 Ais Bibles !; and
291,524 Testamcnts. They have contribn.
ted to promote in Europe, editions Cf ths
scriptures in twelve different languages, ol
dialects and in the East Indies, III twenty
five languages Of Asia.
The example Of this s9ciety (Which by
the way, originated witA pr hate individuals
and has no connection Whatever with the
goyernmcnt) has had considerable innuenc,
Oh Christians in the United States. There
arc now within our .1pritories twenty tive
association for the purpose Of gratu;tousI,
distributing the Scriptures to the poor ant
destitute. What has been onc by these iEsti
%tutions GENERALLY, is Hlkapwn TO us. iii,
Bible Socie;y Of Philadelphia, since the con-.
mencement Of It's operations, has distributed
7,245 Bible and Testamcnts, and no doub'
she amount of distribution would have beer
much gtcatEr, had not tho society determin.
ed to expeld a very considerable SUN IL
procuring Stereotype Plates for printing The
Bible. This of itself i4no small public be.
ncit, as it ensures to all charitable institu
tons Of thi kind, 81 constant supply Of cheag
aud correctly printed Bibles.
Bible Sc %;ieties, Consolidating them all, a,
We may vesy we'll do, as bne great institn.
ton. form the nobiest charity in the world
Laying - &c all attachment to modes ant
fnrms Of ~ nr.hin thnu No nrc si,,nin g