Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-28


violent work The object of this notice,
therefore, is to convene those persons, of
ali religious denominations. who are inelin-
ed to encourage the proposed institution,
and when thus convened, they will have it
in their power to adopt such measures as
they may deem advisable.
This subject is earnestly recommended
to the attention Of the public. Its claims
onght to be felt by those who consider Re
ligion as useful, merely in its tendency TO
promote good order in society. And surely
these claims soiH be felt and acknowledged
by those who believe it to be the instrument
of securing not only the temporal but the
eternal welfare of mankind. The enlight-
ened Christian knowing that the happy in
fiuence OF the Holy Scriptures has been
displayed wherever they have been diffused,
feels confidence that they shall not be
circulated in vain, and exertions for their
distribution will not be utterly fruitless.
1t would be a source of pleasing reflect.
on If In our country generally, and especi-
ally In the part of it with which we are
more Immediately connected, there were no
occasion for the application of the contem-
plated charity 1t has been found however
on examination to be melancholy fact
thatthere are many families amongst US
without Bible. 1t may be said indeed that
| Bibles are cheap and may be obtained by
most persons who are disposed to procure
them 1t is nevertheless true that many do
not procure them and if our exertions either
directly OF indirectly tend to supply this
deficiency, to excite attention to the Scrip
lures and to induce persons to read them
who otherwise would have neglected this
important and profitable duty, our labor
shall not be in vain. And in addition to the
immediate object Of supplying the defici-
eneies around us, it is proper thatwe should
have IN view, cooperation with the
various societies formed and forming in our
Country for the more extensive distribution
Of the Holy Book
To induce and to encourage our exertions
we have number of splendid examples
Many of our Countrymen with alacrty
and zeal that do honor to the Christian
name have gone before us in this office Of
piety-Shall we be reluctant to follow ?
Christians of all denominations have buried
their differences of opinion while they have
tremendously united in this "labor Of
love" Let us by similar union de
monstrate to the world that we are more
anxious for the prosperity of Religion, in
that purity in which it flows from the
| Bible, than for the predomnance of a sect
or party. Already by the benefceni
efforts of Bible Societies has much gooc
been done. Already has the light of life
been poured into the vale of darkness ant
poverty. Already has the transgresso
urging on in thu way to ruin, been arrested
and reclaimed. Already has the wander
ing, disquieted soul, been led in the path.
: oftruth and peace. Already has the aiilict
ed heart imbibed the consolation of Eternal
Mercy, and we trust the time approaches
which we are bound to hasten by our
labors and our prayers, when g none need
teach his neighbour, saying, know the
Lord, for all shall know him from the least
to the greatest