Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-08

| er classes. Drunkenness and riot, obscene>
ness and debauchery have vanished, as if by
magic, at the touch of this celestial wand
Sobriety. and order, and general decency
| of external department have. in many dis
tricts. conspicuously occupied their place.
If this were the only achievement of which
Bible institutions could boast, it would enti-
tie them to the gratitude and support Of eve.
ny friend to the tranquility and happiness
of the community.
But they have still more elevated and no
BILE aims than this. They delight TO see the
fruits of their exertions in the reformed
lives of individuals I; in the ameioration of
the manners Of society. But, through the
fundamentally of diffused circulation of
the Scriptures, they look forward to the
formation of millions for membership in the
Community of Heaven /; they hope to assist
| multitudes in becoming fit societies of An-
gels and the spirits Of just men made per-
feet Whatever be the difference of senti>
ment on other points amongst their men,
bers, they all believe the sacred volume a.
dapted to make men .yisc unto SALVATION.
| through faith which is in Christ Jesus" and,
without endangcring its purity or exciting
opposition. by any additions of their own,
they distribute it as ircame from the hands
of its inspired authors. Thus pure and un-
| alleged it must 60 into the hands of every
son and daughter OF poverty and affictioa,
with the heavenly benediction," Blessed is
he that readeth, and they that hear, the
words of this book, and keep these things
that are written therein"
Attentive Christians contemplate with an
eye Of holy faith and confidence, great and
momentous result of the accessions thus
made to the Redeemer's cause ;the univer.
sal extension of his sway thro'out the habita.
bic globe. This glorious event must occur /;
for its Ger tainty rests upon the irrefragible
determination of the great AM. But it is
his Almighty pleasure to operate by means,
and to accomplish gradually what his soye,
reign fiat could instantly e.fect. We trust
he is now using Bible institutions for the
'urtheia nce of his grand designs. Every
individual who hears me has this night an
opportunity afforded himiof becoming an
gent in accomplishing the declared purposes
OF Jehovah. What privilege What an
honour!
De any doubt the legitimacy of the object.
or the propriety and efficacy of the means !.
No Christian can question the former. AS
to the latter, it has been whispered by some,
not with hostile intent, but in style of dis.
passionate enquiry; may not this intsnseness
OF zeal for so profuse a distribution of the
Scriptures lessen the anxiety for an increase
of the gospel ministry, and impair its iHllu-
ence By nomeans. Al reason and cxpe~
renee are opposed to this suggestion. The
reading of the Bible must be followed by an
eagerness to hear its truths indicated and
illustrated by the ministers of God, and by
desire to be instrumental in procuring
for others the inestimabIe benefit of the
preached word. Show me where an la.
creased attachment to the Scriptures has
lessened the desire of attendance in the as
semblies of public worship; where it has
produced indifference towards missionary
objects. No, sir, the study of the Bible may
originate--it can never diminish, much less
destroy, the attachment of the Christian to
the other most important and divinely in
stituted means OF grace. The evidence of
fact completely justi6es the natural conclu-
sion OF right reason and religion. Every
faithful laborer in the gospel vineyard is
ready 10 attest tbs powerful aid afforded to
the work of his ministry by previous ac-
quaintance with the Bible amongst the OBJ
jects of his care.
A slight deduction is also urged by some
from the alleged claims CT our Society, be-
cause so few cases have occurred wherein
an efficacious change of heart and life have
the Scriptures Now, if this were true in
point Of fact, it would form no well ground
ed objection to the encouragement OF Bible
Societies because they contemplate go
substitution Of the one for the other. Their
patrons are as Jealous for the public minis
ivy Of the word, as for the circulation of the
Scriptures But, sir, we are not without
well attested proofs of the powerful inf1u-
cnce OF the latter, in the total absence of the
former. Many cases have no doubt sccur-
red IN the privacy and seciusion of humble
and retired life; others have been remarka-
BILE enough to obtain publicity. And wor-
thy memberinow present, has in his posses.
sion letter stating, that 81 in India, HndOos
ut high cast have been brought to the knows
ledge and obedience of the truth, simply by
the perusal of the word of God, without ha-
wing ever possessed the advantages of per
sonal communication with the missionaries %
The great work of illuminating the darken>
ed mind of man may be accomplished by e.
very variety of authorised means, and we
nave reason to expect the divine blessing
upon ALL
Ms. President, the collateral and indi-
rect advantages of Bible Societies are incal-
culable. With the pre-eminent design of
their institution, the salvation Of the souls of
the poor and destitute, and the advance,
rnent OF the work of universal righteousness,
these incidental benefits are of no mean or
trivial, though of secondary importance.
Ihave noticed the effects of Bible Socie.
ties Oh morals. Allow me hasty glance
at only very few others. / can barely
mention them. My limits preclude their
discussion.
Is it nothing to see so many ofthe mem.
bers OF the great Christian community uni
I'll L.. /.