Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-10
Third .qnn,tat Report Of the Manager
OF THE
BIBLE SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA.

dom in the world and especially in our own
Country, the permanencc of whose Institutions
is, in our judgment so intimately connected
with the prosperity and prevalence of true .reli.
gion.
At the same time, your managers would ex-
press their regret that the history of their pro
ceedngs can be given in so few words 1t ought
however, TO be recnllected that there are in the
State OF Virginia, thirteen other societies for the
distribution of the Holy Scriptures the far
greater part OF which have no connection with
ours, except in the way Of friendly correspon.
dence. This, of course, limits the sphere of our
operations but, it is believed, that the guam
tum OF good done by Bible Institutions is not
thus lessened.
During the year past, the distributions Of
our Society amount 10 Bibles 9Sf
and Iestaments 591
In the whole 1875
Which, added to the aggregate of distrbu-
tons stated in the annual report, makes
the whole amount, since the society COM
menced it's operations, of Bibles and les.
taments distributed, 1875
or the Bibles distributed during the year,
there We're sold at prime cost 1l3
Gratultousiy distributed $40
sent TO Auxiliary Societies SIG
Total s84
Testaments. sold at prime cost AZ
Gratuitously distributed 9i8
Sent to the Auxiliary Societies 326-591
&c., 1875
In addition TO this, the Managers, having I'M
derstood that the Bible Societies of New.York
were about procuring Stereotype plates for the
printing of the Holy Scriptures in New-York.
voted 5 200 to aid in the accomplishment of
that work, on condition that Bibles and Tesla.
ante Ar fIo.v ,l.,..z H.l--
to st Louis for gratuitous distribution among the
| inhabitants of the Missouri Territory. 1t IS ex
| pected that these Bibles will be sent, early in
June next, to the place of destination This
may be considered as donation to the destitute,
| IN that part of our country, of about 23O Bibles
| and 200 Testamen,s. And, as this will not pro.
baby be noticed in the report of the next year,
| 1t may be as well to state the amount here at
Bibles and Testanents 43O
The Managers, according 10 resolution pass
ed at the last General Meeting, have considered
whether 1t would be expedIent to procure Ste
reotype plates for the printing of the Bible in the
City OF Richmond, and, upon mature delibera-
ton, have decided this question in the negative;
The reasons of this decision are,
LIST. That, in addition to the press of the B;.
Die Society of Philadelphia, the Societies of New
York, baltimore, and Lexington (Kentuckv. J
have each determined to set up presses of this
| kind.
"a: That The material for printing are cheaper
and price of labour lower in the northern towns
| than IN our City and, of course, Bibles can be
procured at a cheaper rate than they could be
printed among ourselves.
Inasmuch, therefore, as, from the increase oil
81 reotype presses, there is no reason TO sppre
bend that Bibles can not hereafter be procured r.
answer all demands for d stribution IL was tbongb
nexPedient to incur so heavy debt as must BIZ
incurred to procure a stereotype press for the
use OF our institution.
| The Managers have adopted the measures
| recommended at the last annual meeting for in
/ Producing the Bible in the Schools of the State
i put with nconsiderable success-The report OF
distributions already made, will shew what has
deem done III this way.
l Inc Managers would, however remark tina,
the habits ola people are changed slowly. and
with considerable difficulty and this particular
~ where peculiar preiudices and iealousies ope.
rate against the change. Nothing, however. is
100 difficult to be attempted in melioratine the
moral condition ola people, when the work is
Undertaken under the auspices of the Lord Jesus
ICnrisI'-And this especially, when the accom-.
PIShrneht OF 1t will be verification of PREDICT
ons' which the Euler ofall has made and which
II IS his Interchangeable purpose to fulfil. AS
therefore, the word of promise has gone forth
/ mat the time shall come, "when none need saw
/ 10 ms neighbour, know we the Lord. for ali
i shall know him, from the greatest even 10 the
least, this Society, it is hoped, will keep this
OBJECT steadily in view, and never remit its eyer
IONS until the habit ofearly religious instruct
on shall be completely established in our Coun.
] try. " 0Ni "'''''
4 the managers think il necessary, for many rea.
sons, particularly to direct the attention of the
Societyto this most important subject at the pre-
sent time but, especially, because there is rea.
son 10 believe that a general system oil instruc.
t'oh VIII be adopted and pursued, under the pat.
ronage OF the Legislature ofthe State BY which
the benefits OF education will be more generally ex
tended to the people Of this Commonwealth than
heretofore they have been.-This circumstance
VIII, perhaps, afford wider field for the active
and beneficial agency of Bible Societies than was
before opened and there can be no doubt bu,
that me active and enlightened friends of the bes
Interes OF their Country will seize the Opportn
i nty thus presented, as far as poss bic to secure
the religious education Of the young -Nothinp
can De 50 important TO the n erests Of our State
and the permaDence Of our Republican instltu.
tons. as the adoption Of a course of education.
1 which will inspire correct sentiments and form
good habits which will produce reverence of
tue La~s, and restrain those bad passions which
uniformly produce rnfractions of them which
/ will produce train Of associations and SEMI
rnents, sane;ifed and refined by true piety; and.
ina word, which will connect the high and holy
affections Of religion with all the objects of a
freemsn's lore, ola patriots veneration.--In this
view Of the subject, the Managers would submit
70 the Society whether il is not the duty of every
member to use all his influence in exciting a
more general interest in favour Of the institution,