Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-07-15
REPORT.

REfOh j.
No benevolent Institution, that has ever
be- n established, hasbeen esFoused with grea-
ter zeal, or has been more evidently prosper
ed BY the smile Of Heaven, than that which
has for lis simple and sublime object, the efu-
sion Of the Scriptures. A few years since,
there was not Bible Society in existence but
almost every christian country has now a
National Institution, with numerous branches
and union associations, extending in all direc-
lions, which are continually multiplying in
number, and increasing in strength.
Our own Society was among the first,
which was established in this scountry. Its
ability has not been commensurate with our
wishes or expectations but we trust that
some good has been effected by its exertions,
though they have been of necessity limited
by tie smallness Of its tesources.-D During the
past year, 779 Bibles have been distributed,
in various parts Of the District.
With tie title of the Bible Society Of
Maine, the support which our association
has received, has been almost exclusively con-
fined to Portland and its vicinity. The Trus-
tees have for some time been convinced,
that the District is 50 extensive, that it was
Impossible to combine It's eXertons in any one
Society, without Auxiliaries, however imPor-
tant lis object You were informed, at the
last Annual Meeting, Of their exertions IN en-
deavounng to promote their formation. It IS
with much pleasure, that they have received
information Of the institution Of Society
Auxiliary to our own, in the County Of Ok
ford. They would also congratulate You
upon The establishment Of Bible Societies, in
the Counties of York, Lincoln and Kennebec.
As we ale engaged, with similar views and
feelings, in the same important object, we
must that friendly intercourse, and an union
Of effort, viii be maintained.
The Trustees have appointed Committees
Of three or more Gentlemen, in each town in
the County of Cumberland ; to act as Agents
for the Society, in ascertaining the number Of
poor, who are destitute Of the scriptures, in
the towns to which they belong in soliciting
subscribers and in endtavouring TO advance
the interests Of The Institution generally.
| They have recently transmitted to them the
form If Constitution for Bible Associations ;
Frequesting them 10 employ lheir influence and
excrtions in promoting their formation, IN
their respective towns.-Great advantages
have resulted from them, wherever they have
been estatli,led. Nearly one third OF he
funds ofthe British and Foreign Bible Soce-
ty are annually received from such little As
sociations, scatter, d throughout the kingdom ;
ID which multitudes contribute their weekly
penny, who, in this country, would be con-
sidered as objects Of charity. We Inculge
the expectation, that Bible Association viii
soon be formed, in each town in this county
Not only will The contributions for this best q
objects be then greatly increased; but the
influence, The feelings, and the efforts, Of :
much larger number Of individuals will be
brought into active operation; AMI We slal
be enabled to make much more judiciOps
profitable, and extensive distribution Of ihe
Scriptures.
The connection, which we have recently
formed with the American Bible Society, j
powerful motive for pursuing the object il
i which We are engaged, With renewed energy