Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-08
TIKI ANNUAL MEETING
OF TIE .
B / B L e s &C / Il T Y,
OF PHILADE LsPHIA,
Reid the 4lk of Nay, 1914.

49, 80 ~ <'&SSt AS&@s
The Annual Meeting of the Society was
held in the Independent Tabernacle, on the
evening Of the 9Th day of May, 1914, in the
presence OF a respectable assemblage of 81.
tizens. The Rt- Reverend Bishop WuIrE
In the Chair. y
The Meeting was opened by Prayer. and
the foregoing Report" was read by the Pre- /.
sident, after which, the following Address
ses were delivered !; Collection for the
purpose of aiding the Funds of the Society
made the Officers for the ensuing year
lccted; and the business OF the evening clio.
dent.
Mn. MILNOk stated that he rose. at the
request of the managers of the society, to
submit few remarks on the interesting
object of the meeting. After some general
observations On the precariousness of public
undertakings and the frequent complaints of
failure, the almost unprecedented exemp.
ton OF this noble charity from providential
discouragements, and the impulse derived
from few temporary and partial hindran-
ces, he proceeded to show the inauspicious
circumstances under which our great exem-
Plar. the Parent Society across the Allan
tic, commenced its operations i'm the midst
rihc scenes d violence and bloodshcd the
malignant passions raging in all the fury of
angry conflict, and the gentle voice of Reli-
gion scarcely heard amid the din of politics
and arms. eiheA adycrted to the rapid
and wonderful progress made i'm the course
OF ten years labour, aud contrastedit with
the dark night of apostacy which preceded
the reformation when, although the Bible
measurably diifused its light, and thousands
OF happy spirits, in the faith of its precious
doctrines had winged their way into the re-
gins OF eternal blessedness, It's glories had
IN great degree laid concealed, and its
influence been greatly obstructed upoif the
hearts OF men- Having. adverted to the
dissipation OF this darkness by tie light of
the reformation the inestimabte blessings
of that event in afording every follower Of
the Redeemer the privilege of receiving lis
spiritual nutriment from divine and hea-
veny source, the true bread of life, unmixed
with the heaven OF human corruption living
water from the interrupted and exhaustless
wells of salvation he then noticed the diff.
fculties that obstructed the full enjoyment
OF this privilege, even after that glorious
event, un,ii the AGRA of Bible institutions
and extolied the mercy OF Divine Provi.
dence in exciting a few pions minds to
work OF sach unexampled utility and in
GROWING it with such unlocked for sue.
cess
MIR "a. then adverted more particularly
to the restrictions as to funds, the pau ;ity of
numbers, want of public patronage, and liz
mited prospects of usefulness at the COM
menceDent the encouraging support soon
received from every quarter the expeas
diturc of upwards of SSo0.eo in printing
and circulating the Bble, now multiplied to
the extent of near 900, 900 copies; its en-
Joyinss the countenance, muniticence, and
personal aid OF men of the most elevated
rank and powerful influence, both in church
and state /; combining. in harmonious CO,
operation, men of all religious aud political
denominations, in numbers beyond all cal.
culatioa extending its rami6cations into
every corner Of the empire; distributing
the sacred records in almost every language
land producing. by invitation and example,
similar associations throughout the civilized
world.
Sir, (said Mr.. NJ. } the hand of God is in
this thing. " The Lord will work and
who shall let it : The Lord hath pnroosed
land who shall dlsannul it ! His hand is
stretched out |; and who shall turn it backf''
Yet while all the glory is to be ascribed to
God, lie rejoiced that we were permitted
the high and enviable honour Of being co..
workers with Jehovah, and congratulated
the Society OH their having been the fore
most in this country in yielding to the i'm :
pulse OF Christian benevolence. on seeing
the lame soon spreading to- the breasts of
others, ard on the daily occurring proofs of
the practical utility OF their exertions. II
was true, he said, our funds had not accu.
muiated with the rapidity of those of the
Parent Society, but our scnemes of useful
ness did not embrace so wide a range we
had not yet emergea from the feebleness of
infancy. Many had not yet made the So.
ciety an object of attention and some might
not yet be fully convinced of It's immense
advantages. Let us hope, proceeded Mr..
M that new era will open upon us this
night; and that the appeal now made to
all who arc anxious to do good to their fe,.
low men, and to extend the Redeemer's
Kingdom upon earth will not be in vain.
In this godIike charity, no mistake as 10
object, no excess of iiberality, need be far.
ed. It's design is simple and express the
methods Of It's accomplishment fair and hon.
est |; the objects to be benefited rs MANY as
any attanable resources will supply. To
communicate moral instruction aud religi.
Gus knowledge BY the gratuitous distribution
Of lie unadulterated word of God and tn
embrace within the circle ofbeneficence the
poor Of every denomination, are surely pur-
poses in which we may Confidently EXPECT
the assistance of every friend to tile peace
ard order Of society, as well as of every
jealous Christian.
Let the politician run over the brief, but
interesting annals OF the Bible Society in
London. They will supply him with proofs,
numerous and xatiefacfofv that not rnereIv