The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-08-01

u
stood and acted upon, that the people are
enlightened, free and happy. If we take
a.,iew of the state of things'in Pagan coun-
fries, we see the most shocking and shame
fal dcgi adation of our species. There the
most oppressive despotism prevails, to the
destruction OF genus, industry and morale
| ty. There obscet,ity, cruelty aud misery,
with all their hdeous train are universally
apparent. In the Indies for instance, it is
no uncommon thing for the children TO be
50 completely Invested Of every flial alice
/ ton, as 10 consign their aged and happy
parents TO the waves of their sacred river.
/ Mothers there are such cruel monsters
that they frequently throw their innocent
! offspring 10 the Nulture and the Crocodile,
and there, Toe, the infatuated widow is
/ willingly bound by her unfeeling relatives
10 the dead body of her husband, laid Oh
thc funeral pile, and thus suddenly preci
pitated into an awful eternity. There
more than Egyptian darkness prevails, that
| nothing short Of the rays Of divine revela
ton can dssipate. Here even, in our oHn
happy and eninentIy distinguished coun-
try, there are cases that should excite our
deepest commiseration one .onfy shall be
mentioned AS AN example. A Iabouring
man, and ore too that could read, was
lately employed in his occupation at the
house of Que of your managers, where The
practice was TO read the scriptures as a
part of family devotion. A chapter of the
| Old Testament was al that time read that
| portion of scripture was new To him, aud
upon enquiry It was found that he did not
| possess a Bible. Your manager with the
! appreciation of the board, made him ii pre-
sent of one which was gratefully received.
Ii was expected by your managers that
the course pursued, the past year, of wri
ting 10 all the minister's in this county,
would have afforded more ample iniorma-
ton on the subject of the scarcity of BIZ
bles, than is likely to be realized. Your
managers ardently wishing widcrdissem-
nation Of the he!y scriptures, have at
late meeting of their board, appointed an
additional number Of agents in different
parts OF the county 10 assist in their dis
t!ibution; for this measure had been adop-
ted IN some of the past years-since the
existence of YOU society, not without sue
ccss, and it is hoped that in greater or less
degree we shall succeed again, Your
managers cannot conclude their report !
without expressing their establishment, that
Ill the professors of religion, of all demon
nations, do not with one heart and soul,
afford their aid in the distribution of the
scriptures. From the Bible oucictlcs eve
ry party feeling is necessarily excluded
That holy book from whence all christians
derive all their hope and consolation, is |
sent forth To the world i'm lis own native
simplicity, beauty and excellence; free !
h..
best human expositol5 it is the pure una
dultorated word of the Lord our God; il /
confirms the messages of grace and mercy |
from our Justly offended sovereign 70 his .
apostatc rebelous creatures, and the Bible
Societies arc the first institutions engaged |
IN 10y men, IN which all our energies and
all cur feelings may be brought into opera
ton, without the least sacrifice Of honour,
honesty or a good conscience. Surely il /
Is most desirable that every unnecessary
foundation Tor disuuion amongst christians,
should be destroyed. Your managers bold
y defy the ingenuity of men and devils 10
assign single good reason, Why all the
christians and philnuthropists in the world
should not unite in publishing ms fai and
wide as possible the heavenly doctrines of
the sacred scriptures. For when Bible
Society meets the grand question 10 be
discussed is, how shall they proceed So as
to be most likely to secure the great end
OF the Institution That great end, is nc.
knowledgcd 10 be the making known as
extensively as possible, the will of God to
all his Creatures. 70 the christians, to the
Pagans, 10 the Ecntics, To the Jews
Here, then is a work of such magnitude,
that ii requires the aid, the cxertions aud
the prayers Of alllhc benevolently disposed
The reasonablencss and Utility Of Bible
Locietcs is now so apparent to all thinking
men, that we are ready To wonder that our
fathers had no such Institution But is it
not more wonderful still, that any person
protesting religion 80 highly benevolent,
should withhold his aid To so glorious IA
cause, especially a professor, living in an
age of such eAerton, where he is surroun-
dcd with so many stimuants TO actl ~;
prcccpt, example the oudest providential
calls, and the Macedonian cry sounding in
hls ears continually, come Ouer and hetP as.
Surely ii is high time for professors of eve.
ry name te awake from their slumbers, to
fold Their hands no longer, lest their con-
duct should be put 10 shame by many per-
sons of sympathy who never yet have
made any religious profession al all
In conclusion, dear brethren, of the BIZ
bic Society, suffer the word OF exhortation
We have laid cur hands to the plough, let us
never look back. let others do as they
may, let US be stedlast, unmoveaEle, al
ways Astounding in the work of the Lord
tor as much as We know that our labour
shall not be in vain in the Lord. Remem.
bcrIng ALWAYS the words of the Lord Jesus
that il is more Messed TO give than to re-
ceve.
Rev. WILLIAM LEFTWICII, Pres't.
Rev, JAMES TURNER, Cor See.
MICHAEL GRAHAM, Esq. Treas'r.