The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-05-15

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in other States. 1t IS cheering 10 notice The
interest which many ofthe sesmen themselves
manifest ia the object Of these Societies.
While rejecting on the exertions which are
making to promote 10 various ways the spirI-
iual welfare Of this important class Of our tel
low citizens, We are encouraged 10 hope that
The period i approaching when be |" album
dance Of the seas shall be converted unto
Zion, aud when those, :. who q down to the
sea, and all that i, therein" shall sing unto
the Lord new song. song Of redewp-
ton.
The receipts inthe Al leasury forrhe lastyear
have been smaller probably than on any pfece-
ding year except one. This dimnution i sccoui-
ted Tor partly from The increase Of Bible Socf-
eties in various parts of the State, whose
treasures receive sums, which would other
wise have flowed into your treasury. But we
apprahend greater cause Of this decrease OF
funds is The want Of interest 10 the dlstrihu-
ton of tue Scriptures, which IS too generally
prevalent. The effect produced by novelty
il gone an opinion IS entertained by perhaps
not few, that the destitute are nearly all
supplied and the magnitude and urgency OF
the claims OF this Society have been over
looked by many who approve OF its object.
1t ought to be remembered that Bible Socie-
ties, though they have done much, have much
yet TO accomplish though their conquests
have been numerous. there remainelh YET
much land TO be possessed" Even IT every
family il this State were in possession ID The
word of life, which is BY no means the case,
we should be inexcussble in relaxing our et-
forts, and permitting the Society to decline.
Our object is one with that Of the American
Bible Society, to diiFuse the scriptures among
men and while there is Mahomeian, or
Pagan, or savage, while there is a human be-
ing even in the uttermosi part OF The earth ces-
titute of that sacred book, our work y not
done. No brethren, instead Of relaxing our
exertions, they must become greater. Some
thing must be done 10 increase the number OF
our members, and to enlarge our funds.
Among other things personal solicitation
must be employed, and cur fellow citizens
must be urged 10 become subscribers. Can a.
christian continue willing to lake no part
in the distribution &c that book, which con-
tains the words of eternal life. ADD which
has made him wise unto salvation ? Can any
man of humanity refrain from giving To the
afflicted, the volume Of consolation, whose
precious truths have supported, and comiorted,
and cheered thousands of the children OF sor-
row ? O, who could withhold who would
not be anxious TO mpsrt this med 'cine to the
sick, this bread to the hungry, this light 20
the beniebted, this treasure 10 the poor, this
life 70 him that is ready TO perish
We are engaged in circulating the Bible
Consider the antiquity and auihen; iciy OF ITS
histories, the sublimty and certainty ~ ITS
prophecies. the glory Of its doctrines, and
the excellency Of its precepts consider IT'S
effects, that ii converts the soul, that II makes
wise the simple, that it rejoices the heart
consider its influence on society; view the
nations on whom this light has shone, and
those on whom il has not shone compare the
dying christian, whose hope Is tulI N immor
taiity, with the sef-immo!aiing pagan, and
then you will be ready 70 say, that no exer-
ton can be improper, that 90 expense can be
extravsgsnt, which is required for placing The
Bible 10 every habiiation Of man.
Taose reflections, which ought 10 excite US
TO greater effort, are calculated to give Us
deeper interest, and produce IN US greater
delight in the progress and achievements OF
Bible Societies. Our object il ONE with
theirs, and we are therefore permitted to share
in The triumph ofhen all.
With great pleasure the Trustees state hat
since the formation Of this society similar in
siitu,ons have been established ID every
county Of the State.
The American Bible Society goes on and
prospers with The evident smile ~ heaven
There have been issued from It's depository
from the 30th April 1919 10 The same perind
10 1920, Bibles &c 300: Tesaments IA 392;
Episties Of ST. John IN Delaware 259 Gospel
nf St John in Mohawk GO I; in All Al ,5i3. In
the three preceding years, there were issued
Bibles and Te-amvnts S. Io2: Epistlrs oi
ST John in Delaware 467. making total Of
81. i02 Bibles and Tesiaments. and parts Of
he latter. issued from the depository Of the
National Bible Society since lis establishment.
At The dale Of lis last annual report this
Society numbered upwards Of 200 sssocia-
lions. auxilisries. There are probably near
~ 500 Bible Societies now ID existence IN
The United States
The British and Foreign Bible Society,
like some noble river fed by thousand tfibu-
iarv streams, is pursuing its majestic way,
diff'isiug health and purity and joy IN an lis
course. Since is formation in 1904 10 My
1890. il has expended 8 683 C57 dollars; and
has promoted the translation. printing. or dis
tribulion OF The sacred scriptures CO portions
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