Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-04-02

Il III Ill DL INOs Ala.
/. E1ertions IN tlcour Of Bible Societies--contned
sH.wANEETowN, (fLLrNoIs IT, JAN. IL, 1910.
To Jeremiah Warts, Esq.
Extracf--a Previous TO our leaving St. Louis,
subscription paper was circulated, in order to ascer-
tain who would favour the formation OF Bible so
ciety for the Territory. Near 800 dollars were
subscribed inthe of day OF Two BY the inhal-
tants of that place Before we left the Territory
subscription paper to aid the object OF the con-
templated Bible Society was drawnup at the lead
mines and another at 81. Genevieye.
This Territory presents very important aud in
tcresting field for missionary labours. There are
many persons here, who have heretofore been mem
bers, either OF congregational or Presbyterian
churches, aud who regrel, with maay a heafi acne,
aud many q tear the toss OF former privileges, are
looking forward with anxiety towards the rising
sun, for to come TO them who shall stand AMI
feed them ia the Of Christ, and break TO them
tie bread of life.
s. One man whom we saw in this Territory, in
formed u.s. that for ten fifteen years ne had been
Using exertons to obtain the sacred scriptures, but
without SUGGEST
The writers in this letter then speak of their ex-
ertions and success sUTtrg
al naskaskias vincennes Jeifersonvilic, and other
places in the Wabash District for the establishment
OF Bible societies--and observe, From the best
estimate we could make, with respect to the pro-
por,ioDate number Of destitute families in the three
territories. we are led TO believe that 10 1900
Bibles are necessary in order to supply each dest-
ie family. You will readily perceive,slr, that.iv-
ing as most OF the people in the Territories do, 1000
or 1900 miles from any place where the Bible IS
printed, very many of them must FOR long time be
destitute unless they be relieved, al least 10
considerable degree, b. the managers OF Bible 30
cletes in the different states.
). Iieu Of the country north Of the OHIO, constdtrsd
as a missionary Jietd.
On The Mississippi, below New NHdrid, Jan. 20,
1916 40 the Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D.
safracis--.. This State, although iii many parts
deporably destitute of the means OF grace, IS on the
whole far better supplied with established preach
and missionaries than any OF the States or Ter
ritores west OF south Of it, With population OF
about 10000, it hos more than % presbyterian
and congregational understanding an average
of one preacaer To 800 inhabitants while the state
of kentucky has not one presbyterian minister TO
10 600 inhaDitants--and the Northwestern Terrific
ry not one to every 10000. Ohio is fast emerging
from the feeble helpless state Of infancy. Religion
is taking deep root and its branches are spreading
FROM the river to the lake. Charitable institutions
are formed and forming in varions parts; such as
Bible, TRACT, and Moral Societies: and their salu-
tary influence is beginning TO be felt But IN other
portions Of the western country, it is not 30. We
prouosc. therefore in this and some following
municaiions to turn your attention more particu-
larry 10 them. We begin the Ierrtofies---we
have travelled through them; have seen the ma
kedness of the land and eyes have affected eur
hearts. We have heard the cry, come orer and Aelp
as.n
This letter is lengthy and interesting-but twill
eomport with the design Of the writer only to men,
ton the principal matters it contains and refer the
nquisitive reader to the Report IN which il is con-
tanned.
INDIANA, " notwithstanding tie war, is peo-
plpg very fast. Its settlements are bursting forth
on the right hand aud On the left. In 1870 there
we're in this Territory "a 500 inhabitants; now
they are computed by the Governor at 1850, by
others al 80 and by some at $4,000. Whenwe en-
erred this Territory there was bat one presbyterian
clergyman in it, Mr.. Scott Of Vincennes. lie has
valiantly maintained his post there for six years
past. He has three places approaching. His church
consists of about 20 members. Between the forks
OF White River. there is also presbyterian con-
sreg alton in which there about 80 communal
canls IL is probable that there are three now in
the Territory. But what they for the supply OF
30 many thousands. They are Obliged to provide
principally for their own support BY keeping school
through the week or by manual labour They have
therefore. very little time TO itinerate."