Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-06-30

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mage which it received and the remarkable
success which attended its exertion, encour.
aged the establishment of similar institutions
IN other places. On this subject, America
mas not been entirely inattentive to the in
dlcanons of her duty. Since the institution
OF the Bible Society of Philadelphia, other
associations, aiming at the same object,
have been formed in different parts of the
Union, amounting to at least forty-three
in number.
In Imitation Of examples that certainly
deserve attention, the Bible Society of
berkeley County, has been recently or
gained, with the view of CO. operating with
other institutions ofthe same kind, in their
iaudaoie efforts to improve the moral con.
dition OF mankind. In order that this NAV
be done with effect, it is we'll known that
considerable pecuniary resources are neces-
sary, The duty of supplying these resour
ces, II devolved upon a few individuals
would be a heavy burden but if divided
amongst a humber of persons would be
easy 10 all. The managers of this institu-
tuition therefore present an earnest applica-
ton TO their fellow citizens to unite with
them in the labors and the pleasures of this
exalted charity.
The first object of the managers shall be
to ascertain, by methods deemed most pro.
per for that purpose, the number of per
sons within their bounds, destitute of
the Scriptures, who ought to be supplied,
and to endeavor to supply them as general
ly as they shall be enabled. And from dis.
%coveries that have been made in other parts
OF the country, not more likely to be des-
ttute than ours, there is abundant reason
to believe that the demand for the Scrip
lures will be much greater than is general
ly expected. In the State of Connecticut,
which affords Churches and Schools, con-
venient to almost all of its inhabitants, and
the whole population of which is not suppo-
sed to exceed 270, 900 persons, it has been
estimated that 10000 Bibles were necessa.
ry to supply the destitute. And is there
not reason to believe that in our State as
we'll as many others, the deficiency is much
greater ? To the Societies already in ope-
ration 10 Virginia frequent applications have
been made by the poor for the Bible and it
has BEEN received with tears of thankful.
ness and JOY and with prayers, addressed
to Heaven that the divine benediction might
descend upon the patrons Of Bible Socie-
ties.
Were it in our power to insure to the
Scriptures that attention which they merit.
from the persons whom we may furnish
with them, our prospect Of usefulness would,
in no small degree be increased. The in
attention, however. which some of the be-
neficiaries of this Society may manifest on
this subject, should not in any respect dis
courage US in our labor of love, for on the
same account the preaching of the gospel
and all other means of religious improve
ment might be discarded. 1t is not our
province to decide whether these means
shall in any case be successful nor shall
our conduct in this respect be judged and
our destiny determined in proportion to our
success but according to our exertions. 1t
is the prerogative ola sovereign God to add
his enriching blessing and it becomes us in
humble expectation of that blessing to en-
ploy those means which are adapted to OBJ.
tain it. And it is certainly a reasonable
presumption that a Bible presented to an
individual by an association formed, not
with any interested views, but for the sole
purpose Of circulating as extensively as pos.
sible, the book of salvation, would attract
more attention and excite more interest
than lift had been obtained in a different
way.
Should the managers of this Society sue
coed in supplying with the Scriptures only
those persons in their own county who are
destitute of them, they will not regret the
attention necessary for that purpose, to the
duties oftheir office, but will cherish the
impression that their labors have not been
altogether Improbable. That object being
accomplished should their resources per-
nit, they will rejoice to unite with other
Societies in sending the Bible into other
destitute parts of our country for which no
provision has been made or in supporting
those exertions which at present are employ
ed, with unparalleled zeal in supplying with
the word of fife, translated into their respec.
tive languages, those tribes and nations of
the earth which have long dwelt in Pagan
darkness and under the shadow of death,
but which arp naverthAless in fuifl-