Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-04-29
SECOND REPORT
OF THE
YOUNG NE VS. BIBLE SOCfEIf

At the close OF another year II becomes
The duty of TIE Managers OF the Young
Mems Bible Society, to lay before It's
members repurt of their proceedings.
And if these have been Of very limit
Cd character we hope it will not be attri-
butej to any want of interest in the OBJ
jecr but to necessity. For The narrow
sphere Of our operations and the small
means al cur disposal II will at once be
perceived must preclude any extensive
exerlions.
At the beginning of the year, the mana
gers, convinced that many would remain
destitute Of The Sacred Scriptures unless
placed in their houses, Determined to con-
linue the work OF visitation 30 happily
commenced in the preceding year. The
town'beiDg divided into four sections com-
mlttees were appointed to each OF these
with instructions 10 visit every family sus.
pecte of being destitute OF the WORD OF
life, and TO endeavor to secure careia'
perusaI OF it by pressing upon Iaem The
great importance and utility OF the know
ledge il unfolds, aud as often higher va
Iue is placed upon that tor which some
compensation is given. they were instruct
ed 10 sell copies, when practicable, al
reduced price.
As considerable progress was made 10
this work dlnlng The last year, the helds
which remained 10 be cultivated was com
paratively small The committees have
attended to their duty with cheertulnsss
and il is hoped with profit, Probably
many who were before destitute OF the
word OF life have been supplied, and seed,
II may be, has been thus silently sown'
which shall hereafter spring up and bear
abundant fruit.
The next object 10 which the board di-
rected their attention was the supply OF The
shipping, which from tine 10 time v.sit
our port. A committee Of six was ap-
pointed TO discharge this duty. Some pro-
gres. has been made in tins work, which
from ITS nature will require continued al
tention In this very many who go down
20 the sea ia ships and do business on the
great waters may be Induced to carry
with them the precious deposlte OF Coos
word. And surely no objects IN rel'gi-
Gus point Of view are more needy or more
interesting than ;huse OF this character.
A committee was also appointed TO make
Enquiries respecting fort Washington and
to furnish the soldiers stationed there with
as many copies OF the scriptures as access
sary. Upon inquiry il was found that but
a small number was at present wanting.
These were immediately provided and
the commandant st that place obligipgly
undertook TO distribute them. AT the
same time information was given that
further supply could be obtained at any
future time u necessary
Most OF the bibles and testaments OBJ
tanned during the year past have been d's-
pOset of. 4 lew have been sold at re-
duced prices, but the greater part d,strl-
5uted gratis. There remains on hand but
a lew copies. The state OF our funds Will
appear from the treasurer's report which
accompanies this.
Our exertions it is true have been neces-
sarlIy OF an humble character But thus
far we have met with no ground OF dis
conrsg ement, but On the contrary win
many things 10 animate US TO create: ex-
ertions And when we turn our view 10
the efforts pade by the Christian wolld 10
disseminate the word Of life, nothing can
be mere encouraging than the prospect
which is there unfolded. Perhaps we can
not better close this report than by men
tioning some of the circumstances which
show the great interest that Is taken 10
this object. The events developed IN The
efforts of bible societies are OF character
truly astonishing, and will occupy pro-
minent place on the page Of history.
The American Bible society continues
to flourish beyond The expectations ct ITS
warmest friends. At the time OF ITS tor
nation, in the year 1916, it stood solitary
without earthly patronage. Now II is sur
rounded with upwards OF 800 auxiliaIies
and branches. During the six years OF It's
existence, il has printed aud obtsined tor
circulation 26S,l!7 bibles and resisments
or parts of the latter. And during the
same period it has issued 1888 bibles
and testaments, or parts.
When we turn our view to the continent
of Europe. we behold prospect no less
bright and cheering We find the bible
cause advancing with steady pace, and
under the smiles of its author gong Tor
warj cnnqueriDg u to conquer. The British
and Foreign Bible Society, long the won
der OF the world, continues its majestic
career unimpede6, lthas astonished the
world by the holiness of its plans, and the
energy with which they have been accom-
pl,Sbed, We can form some idea OF the
magnitude OF its resources, and the extent
OF 1t. influence when we learn that 1t ha;
684 auxiliary societies and branches, and
that during the year 1891 there was re-
ceived into ITS treasury D39S S43. II ma:
expended during the first year of IT'S es'
Enlistment ID 900, 900, and The ~ho'e
number OF bibles and tetsaBents 'SSued ou
ring the same period was 1861 S72:
The other christian nations are follow
ing this noble example with al emulation
honorable to their zeal The Russian oil
BILE society, pstronized by the F. pern
and the most distinguished personages ~