The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-06-01
Annual REPORT or THE BIBLE socIE-
TY DT MAINE


II o. MAINE
The Trustees 81 the BraIE SocIErY OF
M*INE." ask leave 10 report, that during the
pa gear. TIE sum II three hundred and fifty
eoiiars and ninety eight cents which iuclndes
nsneiy three dollars ard sixty seven cents on
asnd, April p, 1921 has been received into
The Treasury. OF this sum. e23 were a do
natipa from the Gorham Bible Society FIVE
dollars from tie Windham Female Bible So
cieiy forty dollars from the North Var
useain Bible Association fifteen dollars
from The Oxford Bible Society thirty dollars
beqacsi Of 1t David Farrar, 1.-THE avails Of
his inilstary equipments, sc. sold) thirty-hvc
dollars and eighty-three cents. the amount
collected after the delivery Of the annual dis
coHrse eighty three dollars from members
81 this So9ety for their annual subscriptions.
and twenty FIVE dollars and forty eight cents
from the sale Of bibles
AFTER paying the contingent expenses for
tisf year, there remains IN the hands Of the
Treasurer, three hundred and forty one dol
lan and thirty cents. Two hundred dollars
Of this balance on hand, fhe Trustees have
rotev n transmit 70 tie .9n4srscas Bsbte
so1efy.n rs donation and the remaining
one hundred and forty one dollars and thirty
cents 70 be expended in the purchase Of BIZ
bles.
On the first day Of Nav last. there were
two hundred and fifty three bibles in the
hands Of the Librarian. Since that time,
two hundred and twelve have been distribu-
ted, and fifteen have been sold, viz. nine al
cost, FIVE at an advance, and one al par.
~ g.
30, 1924. On the FIRST Of May last there
were seventy eight testaments on hand !;
since which fifty eight have been distributed,
seventeen sold at cost, and the remaining
three at part cost.
| At recent meeting of the Trustees, il was
thought advisable to adopt some more eff
Client measures 10 ascertain who were desti-
tute of the scriptures in Portland, and cause
such to be promptly furnished. And il was
finally agreed, that such of the Board of
Trustees as resided in town, should lend
their personal aid 10 search out and supply
the destitute. The Trustees have entered
upon this labour, but Il has been vet only
/ partially performed From what has been
already done, we are convinced that much
good may be expected to result from the
adoption Of this plan. Several persons, who
were not the owners Of bible, have been
found and supplied. In some instances, the
bible was received with much apparent graft
tude.
twill not perhaps. be uninteresting, should
we mention an incident, which occurred not
long since, within the knowledge Of some OF
the trustees.
A sailor came into bouse-where some
lcopies ofthe Scriptures had heen jlst. elist-ib-
Iuted. He stated that he had no bible, and
manifested desire 10 possess one. On be-
ing questioned if he could read, he replied in
The affirmative. In order 10 prevent imposi.
ton, he was desired TO read a passage from
the Scriptures, which we're then opened ia
him he was observed 10 hesitate, and mani
tested some agitation. II was then surmised
that he probably could not in fact read but
presently be intiInatcd that he could not read
in that Book, bnt if he had spelling book, he
could read. lie observed also that he had
been in certain place. and bad drank too
much A spelling book was then handed
him. and he read ID Il inteIligibIy. Doubtless
he was then in some degree under the infu-
ence of spirituous liquor and il was evident
the power OF conscience, or reverence for
the bible. rendered him unwilling to read in
il while in that situation.
Although little has been done BY us as a
Society, in comparison Of what might have
been, il is hoped that lasting benefits will re-
suit even from our limited exertions. And
may we not be permitted to extend our views
beyond the little circle which limits our ex-
ertions, and draw, from other sources, en-
couragement 10 labor more zealously aud per-
severingly in future ;--The signs Of the
times call loudly upon every follower OF
Christ 10 be active and diligent in his mas
ter's cause. The promises OF God respecting
the extension Of Christ's kingdom, and the
many Indications, that these gracious pronlis-
IS are to be speedily fulfilled, are sufficient
60 animate all, who love the Saviour, and His
Church. to Fedoubled exertion.
The progress ofvital religion amongst sea
men. the astonishing changes, which have
taken place in the minds Of the inhabitants
Of some Of the islands Of the sea, the readiness
IF many Of Gods ancient people TO receive
the New Testament, and the conversion of
some Of them to Him, whom their fathers
lcrucihed. speak TO Christians language not
10 be misunderstood. 1t seems now literally
true, that the isles Of the sea wait for Gods
law ard Ethiopia begins to stretch forth her
hands to receive the news of Saviour. II is
pleasing fact. that union and love are pre-
valling more and more among Christians of
different denominations. and that thew are
more ready to mingle exertions for the
building up Of the Redeemer's kingdom.
How delightful the thought, that those
who love the Saviour, do in 50 great degree
view the cause, in which they are engaged.
one and the same. And while we contem-
plate TINS unity Of spirit and exertion gaining
the ascendancy, we are led TO look forward
10 that brighter day, when true christians
shall be Of one heart and one mind and
when the prediction, 8 that the stone cut
ont Of the mountain without hands. shall be-
come a great mountain, and fll the whole
earth, shall be completely accomplished.
The increased exertiens Of Christians also 70
build M the Church Of Christ, by means of
Bible. Missionary, Education, Tract and