The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-04-30
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
OF THF
Young MEMS Bible Society
OF ALEXANDRIA.

As this society has been in existence but
a short time, its exertions have necessari-
" been few and limited. Ii was formed
East September, and the board of mana
gers organized in November. 1t is still in
its infancy. and its operations have but
lust commenced. Whether il is destined
to become an able auxiliary in advancing
the cause of truth. or feeble and inefici-
ent, is 10 US unknown. Let US, however,
resolve that our faithful exertions shall not
be wanting TO cherish and support it, and
that its decline shall not be FASTENED by
our neglect,
The board of managers, Immediately
alter their organization, took measures TO
effect the object OF this society. They
procured two hundred copies of their con-
stitution, to be printed for the use Of the
members. One of which was forwarded
to the secretary of the American Bible So
cie,y, at New York. An answer has been
received from him, informing US that this
society is recognized by the American BIZ
BILE Society, as one of its auxlllaries.-
The corresponding secretary was also d.
rected to send Tor so bibles and 100 tesla
ments. These have been received and
the amount RENTED for them.
Several of the managers who found it
inconvenient TO discharge the duties re-
Quired, have resigned their seats 10 the
board, and Others have been elected TO fill
the vacancies. Its with pleasure we re-
mark that all have manifested DISPOSE
ton cheerfuily to discharge the duties I'M
posed upon them when practicable. 1t is
with pleasure also we find the greatest
harmony and friendship prevailing among
the members of the Society, although it's
composed of various denominations OF
christians.
1t was early determined to make tho
rough investigation into the wants OF this
town as ii respects the scriptures. For
this purpose the town was divided into
four sections, and committees appointed
TO visit in each, going among the poor
from house TO house, and to supply with
the word OF life those who were destitute
and could read, or procure some one to
read to them, As our bibles and ,estaments
were soon nearly all distributed, this ha.
not been fully done, although considerable
progress has been already made. The
committee for the N. w section have MOI
vet been able to attend 10 the duty assign
ed them The committee for the n. E.
section have not yet completed their exa-
mination. They have distributed seven
bibles and twenty eight testaments to the
destitute, and sold two bibles and two ties
ments. The committee for the S. w. sec
ton have not finished the examination
They have visited ninety eight families,
distributed two bibles and fifteen tesla
mems to those who did not before possess
such treasure. sold two bibles and one
testament. The committee for the S. E.
section have made thorough examina-
ton; they have visited one hundred and
eighty eight families, distributed thirty
three bibles and forty two testaments, sold
four bibles and three testaments. They
report that there is not family in their
section who can read and is illing 10 pos
sess the scriptures, that is not furnished
with them.
The committees being mostly Compos
ed of young men, unaccustomed 10 such
employmsnts, and especially to that of
coDversing with strangers upon their re-
ligious opinions and wants, and anticipat-
ing likewise many difficulties. engaged in
the duty imposed with much difidence and
trembling They found, however diff
culties to vanish as they proceeded, & the
employment which they expected would
be irksome, TO become highly interesting
and profitable They endeavored to enter
into familiar conversation with those whom
they visited, to recommend the bible 10
their attentions; to show the manner in
which il should be used, and the advanta-
ges of using il Alright. They endeavored
to remove the prejudices OF opposers; to
awaken the attention of the careless; and
to Strengthening wavering, that they might
see the importance of divine truth and be
prohted by It. Where convenient they
read portions of scripture, and in some
instances bad the satisfaction of uniting
with the sick and aged in the duty Of
prayer and duplication.
They were generally well received and
the precious gilt they bore accepted with
thankfulpess. With pain, however. thew
found it in some instances to be received
with indifference, and apparently more
out OF respect TO them than from a sense
of its value. and in sonre instances il was
rejected To those who were not able 10
purchase they gave freely, to those who
were able they sold at reduced prices; be-
ng convinced they would more carefully
preserve and oitener read the srr;ntnres