Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-04-27

Pile with the word OF GoD. / his de-
slfable object, il is hoped, may be gain
ed by means Of the agency (Which IS
vested in the Rev. Mr.sPeck) that the
managers of The American Bible Society
have recently appointed in this country.
When we contemplate man IN his lal-
len state, thrust from the garden OF Eden
for his dlsobedience, and pcecluded the
tree of lie by the flaming sword, cropping
his way through this dark and dreary
world with the curse Of me A mighty
resting upon him, without guide to his
feet or a lamp to his path, we are ready
TO conclude that man is the most mlsera-
bic Of all creation. But when we reflect
that a promise accompanied the curse,
that the seed OF the woman should brnise
the scrpen's head, aud that one mighty
10 save has undertaken to reconcile re-
bel man TO his Creator, and make knovn
10 him the way by which he may regain
his favor, ii becomes matter OF The
greatest moment that this should be pub
lshed to every individual. For this OBJ
iect we see the good, the great, and wise
uniting together to aid in transla,ing and
languages of the world, aud circulating
III "a anongs ali classes Of people. And
il Is for tins purpose that We have torm-
ed ourselves into this society - fhis
society is formed not as those on ordlna-
~ occasions to promote the pecuniary IN
terests oil its members. NJ: The prln-
ciple is evidently different. L has for is
~ IN he
glory Of COB Is not This an object wor-
Thy the attention oi all Does 1t not re-
commend itsel 10 the patronage OF every
individual who has not eradicated every
vituous p inciple from his heart? What
subject Is mDre inviting 10 the phi!an
throplsl than 10 be the means of promo
ting the eternal interests of mankind by
giving to the district the Holy Scriptures?
What can be more allurIng to the char,-
table, than by the means OF this society 10
be able To give 10 the needy that book
which viii direct them to the source OF
all true riches, aud the fountain of ever.
lasting lie Who is there then that
wishes to see society improved, civ!izs-
ton and morality increased, that will not
come forward and throw in his mite to
give to every individual that book which
contains the true principles of civii1a-
ton, and code of moral law given BY
the King of Heaven, and 50 PLAINLY
written that he that runs may read, and
is as Tar superior to the codes OF Conin
cius, Lycurgus, or Scion, as the author
is superior to inf moralss. Do any
object because money is scarce, and the
times SO hard tina, they cannot nov do
any thing to promote the Bible cause !!
10 such an director we would ask, Is
there one person in his know edge that is
not able to spare the snm Of one dollar
in a year to promote the circulation Of
the gospel And il there is, we would
remind him that that man is proper OH
ect of charity, and that il Is his duty 10
recommend him TO this society, where
he may receive the treasure of the Bible
grs uitons.
Are the times hard The very idea
carries with it the necessity of charity
II the poor are oppressed and are not
able to buy Bible, then how can those
that are more fortunate be more mag
UNANIMOUSLY employed than in giving to
them title to the fountain of living wa
tiers, and to country where want is not
known.
Another distinguishing feature of this
institution is, that II knows no distinction
of country, sect, or denomination. 1t
carries with i, no local prejudices, but
recommends itselfto all with equal force.
Then will it be necessary to call on a
christian, let his denomination be wba, ii
may, for its support? Or will it be ne
eesssry, as an example, to. point him
TO Calvary where his Lord poured out
his blood to fnli the law and esta-
biish his gospel, before he Can be in-
tiuenced to come forward and give his
support to procure for every individual
that gospel No: he well knows the
value Of that blood, and cannot be back
ward in spreading that gospel tina, was
purchased so dear. All that is necessa-
ry will be to let him know that there is
such an institution, and he will gladly
embrace the tirstopportunityo OF becoming
member.
Then let Us not cease our prayers, our
exerlIons, and our charities. till the earth
is filed with knowledge aud the glory OF
COP.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
ANTHONY PoTrs, President.
h 5onu A,.I sowu.s y Presidents.
w CAvApJv Necref0rU