The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-05-12
To tic Editors Of he Portland 60ae;is

an oath that sowing TO his reduced circum
stances in liehe needs the assistance OF his
country for support This appears 10 me
10 lie a great hardship on the man who having
served his country IN her ard,ious struggle Tor
liberty has steered clear OF those habits of
inteinperaro and idleness so often contract
ed in camps, and al the decline oi life finds be
is obliged 10 labuur hard Ia keep himself a.
bove actual want, though penlaps not much
reduced iH circumstances since he was dis
charged sick, ragged and bareiDot--with
small pittance of paper :money,.a knapsack
full of which was hardly worth the luggage.
write this 10 give vent 10 The feelings ex
cited in my bosom, by seeing in the town in
which i reside a number OF war-wofn vete-
rams who lore The hea, and burden of the
conflict, and who ever since their discharge,
though practcing the most rigid economy,
abstemiousness and industry, are yet scarcely
raised Uncomfortable circumstances, but who
on account of their being proprietors of
small spot Of ground. on which they have
nearly exhausted the strengll, left them by
the hardship..of war, perhaps yet unpaid for,
or of uncertain title. and because they are
sboye actual pauperism, feel a scrupe Of
conscience against taking the oath prescribed.
Had these old soldiers spent their earnings al
the grog- shop, and by idleness and intemper-
ance brought themselves TO poverty and
maintenance By the town, their actual tempo
raj condition would have been better than il
il now--for their income erciaSiue Of their oun
fam'lies iabour is nos sgoras n,nety-sir dollars
per onnnm-which sum the opposite charac-
Ter may receive, though perhaps not go much
incumbered with family and more able TO
labOur.
] am moi without hope thst these observa-
tions may meet the eye OF some member of
Congress, and suggest TO him 10 move at the
next session SO to amend the act as to include
all soldiers of the revolution, the principal
part of whose income is derived from the
manual Iabour of themselves and families.
Such a modification am certain would meet
the appreciation of every American who POS
sesses the principles of GRATITUDE.
Annual Report 10 the Bible Society of Name
for the year ending May It'll, 1873
The Trustees of the Bible Society OF
Maine respectfully report 10 the members Of
The Institution, that they have endeavoured
during the past year 10 prosecute the impor'
sant objects of their appointment 10 the extent
If their means, and with as much success,
they trust as in any previous period.
Its solemn and painful subject Of refec-
ton TO them, that, since their last communica-
ton, death has deprived them OF two of their
number; an amiable and worthy Trustee, and
Secretary. whose ardour in the promotion of
pious and charitable undertakings has rem
dered his decease most affective event 20
the many benevolent associations, of which he
was member.
Since the 9th Of June 1917, 26i bibles
have been distributed 100 have been sent
TO the Oxford Bible Society; 66 have been
sold to subscribers; and 256 remain on hand.
{ The whole number of Bibles distributed by
this Institution, since lis establishment, is
$3.50, together with 26i Testaments.
Though the part, which this Society hssta-
ken in Speeding the Word of God, has been
comparatively humble, yet considering the
vast importance of its object. which is no 9th
er. than to diffuse the knowledge of scriptural
truths, and its almost certain attainment of that
object in exact proportion to its efforts, there
is value in the little il has done, that would
have remunerated far more laborious and ex-
pensive exertions, than those il has combined.
To put the Bible without note or comment into
The hands of men, is an attempt toinstruct and
improve them, which is liable TO no objections
that must not be 6rst advanced against the
Scriptures themselves; those Sacred Oracles,
that are able 10 make US wise unto salvation
that are most propitious TO the present happi-
Re:s ofhuman beings in all the various reia
tons, in which they are placed; and that
strike The only effectual blow at vice and the
evils, of which il is productive.
Let therefore the great experiment be made,
must every well wisher to bis fellow creatures
exclaim.
Let the word of God have free course
and let il be seen what the effect will be of
passing its purifying streams over the corrup-
lions of m ankind. Those who believe its
prophecies, know that this experiment uiti be
made; and that the uord, that shall go forth,
shall not return void but il shall accomplish
the pleasure of the Lord and il shall prosper
in The thing, whereto he sends it.
l. NICHOLS, by order of tie Trustees.
Portland, May Z, 1918.