Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-05-25
MADISON AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.
May 9Th, 1924.


May 9Th, 1924.
The annual meeting of The Society
was held this day at Ebenezer Meeting
House
William O,wcll, Egg. President, in
the chair.
An eloquent address to the Throne of
Grace was offeredby be r Y. M. Peck |;
after which Hail Mason, Esq Vice Pre-
sident, presented on Behalf OF the Board,
the following
REPORT:
The Board OF Directors in compli
ance with the constitution, respectfully
report, that the recent organization OF
the society, aud the arrangements that
are made, preclude the expectation OF
any great advances in The execution OF
those benevolent designs, which gave
rise to this institution. Ii will be re-
collected tina, the Annual Meeting held
this day, was fixed upon as the time
when the members were 10 pay their an
nua subscriptions and consequently
that from this day, we may properly date
the actual existence Of tins society.
The Directors have, however. made
such preparations Tor ac.ive exertion as
appeared to be within their power. The
parent institution has been notified of
the formation of the society, and It's pro-
gress Of usefulness; and has been re-
quested il within the plan Of its opera
tons, to forward one hundred Bibles,
and the like number of Testamen,s to
be disposed of by this society, on The
usual terms. Information was also gl-
ven that this society would be able TO
defray the expenses Of transportation on
tina, number, and that hearty co-ope-
ration might be expected, in proportion
TO the means which this institution should
possess.
The Board cannot refrain from the ex-
preston Of their deep sense OF The loss
sus aimed by the society, and by the COM
nunl,y at large, in the death OF heir late
venerable President, the Rev. Josias
Rande. Before he had been permit
ted to unite in the pleasing duties IN
posed upon the Board, i, pleased his
Divine Mas er 10 take him from the
sphere of active duties in which he had
so long been engaged, to the enjoyment,
j, is confidently believed, OF thai reward
which is held out in the sacred volume
to believers 10 the gospel OF our Lord!
The vacancy occasloned by his lament,
ed death, has been filled by the election,
hro temh3re, of William Orwell, Esq. To
the Presidency.
Il - hr, n
Of the Rev, Mr.. Peck, four Bibles and
twenty Testaments, 10 be disposed ct on
accoun, of the Missouri Bible Society.
Of,hese, two Bibles, and ten Testaments
have been sold at the prices affixed to
them by that society.
OF the receipts and expenditures, i, is
for reasons which have been given, un-
necessary to remark. The accounts oil
the Treasurer will be presented in COM
pliance with the constitution, but no.
thing can be expected from that source
un,il after the close Of the present meet
ing. 1t is hoped another annual meet
ing will furnish cause for congratulation
and thanklulness from the money trans
actions of the society, growing out OF
the, consideration that the Holy Scrip
lures have found their way, through your
exer,ions, to many families and many
hearts, which are now either pining for
them, or ignorant Of the treasures they
contain.
While contemplating the subject, I'M
der the aspect presented by this idea,
the Directors feel lively solicitude for
the success, and permanency OF this en-
bryo institution That there should be
any, in a community like ours, longing
alter the true knowledge, and unable TO
procure il, may, to many, be matter OF
surprize. Nevertheless diigent exa-
minaton woul Id satisfactorily shew that
such things are. -
1t has indeed been frequently objected
bv those who feel no disposition to aid
in the establishment oil Bible S Societies,
that none, who wished to possess the
scriptures, need wish in vain, while by
the labor Of a single day copy might
he obtained; and as often has careful
inquiry discovered the objection to
be founded in error. Many serious and
moral, and even pious people have been
found without bible, and without the
means of obtaining one, in communities
where such objects were supposed to be
ss rare in our own.
|, has been objected like~ ise, that the
gift Of bible to one ignorant Of its value,
and careless OF the vast concerns to which
it relates, would only be like casting J