Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-12-28

lDQuJC tnG thSlCDoHA w PoaN - .'~N
that multitudes live too remote TO have
convenient access where their wants may
llbe suppiied--that those who have been
raised on the frontiers OF the United
otateS, III uiauy tfistauo~s without the BIZ
Bile, feel not the same conscientious nee
cessity to procure it, as those whose ear
ly days have been blessed with the habit
OF perusing the sacred volume, we feel
no surprise that SO large proportion OF
the families III our state, to this day are
living without the light of heaven within
their dwellings.
Since our last annual meeting the
Board of Managers have endeavored to
| extend the sphere of this society's opera
tons, and enlarge its means of doing
good. The agency under the directions
OF the parent society, has been success
full in multiplying auxiiaries and branch
es. In Illinois at our last meeting no
Bible society existed. We rejoice to
learn that thirteen auxiliaries and two
branches are now successfully engaged
ia distributing the word Of God. In our
own state two respectable suxiiiaries ia
addition TO the former onss have COM
menced in their labors, and fOe branch.
IS, situated in Liiiard, Charlton, Howe i
ard, Cooper, and Boone counties, havo
! been formed and recognized as branches
OF This auxiliary. 1t was judged expe-
dient TO make some OF these auxlharies
temporary repositories oil Bibles aid
Testamens until they could be suppl.ed
from the parent society. Returns ir9n
some of these deposits have tur0ished
the treasury with the avails realized from
| the sale Of books. From others there is
| considerable due for books sold and
which has not been RENTED, while in
some instances part OF the deposite re-
mains unsod. To each Of the branches
of this auxiliary, small donations OF bib es
and teslaments have been made. aud
books ON deposit have been ordered, but
| no opportunity has yet been offered 10
convey the packages up the river. These
are all included in the treasurer's &C.
count. Other branches it is expected
| will be added to the subsequent year, and
will need the fostering care Of this socie-
| ty to enable them 10 be extensively USE
iul in the sphere OF their operations. Tho
formation OF auxiIaries or branches in
every county in the state would afford the
most importan, facilities towards supply
ing every destitute family and individual
with the Holy oracles, and producing an
influence IMMENSELY beneficial to the
morals and manners Of all classes of the
community, by awakening desireA read
! and become more intimately acquainted
| with the truths and duties OF the bible.
| No addiuon to our stock OF Bihles and
Testaments has been made the pssI year.
Of the amount then on hand, ASS bibles
and $50 testaments have been disposed
CT, or else remain in the hands Of indi.
viduals and branch societies, 10 be &C
counted for in future. There is now ia
the genera! depository al ST. Louis, no
| English aad French Bibles, and 72I
English, IS French, and SO Spanish TIES.
iamenis.
During the past year there has been
received into the treasury from the sale
OF bibles, contributions and subscriptions,
32o4 284; and paid out ,he sum Of
olo4 65i; one hundred dollars of which
mas been forwarded TO the Parent soc iety,
aud The remainder for incidental expen-
ses, leaving balance in the treasury Of
| S99 65 There is due from the several
repositories and branches for books sold
and nol accounted Tor, or yet on hand for
future distribution, the sum OF S44276. X
Since its formation his society has re-
ceived from lis members, and IN dona-
| lions and public collections about Sl9o,
more than 800 of which has been ex-
pended 10 freight, &c. From tae Anne
rican bible society, this auxiliary since
rs formation has received in donations
500 English aud SO French bibles, and
100 Spanish and 500 EngIish tesaments
70 Ehe value, at the sogiey's prices, OF
5697 IS or hat sum Sss~ -, lv~.-
discharged in drafts, aud The Balance
1870 81 is YET due. TO discharge this
debt the resources Of the society are Inc
amount due from the depostories the
| balance now ID the HANDS OF the ,reasu-
+ er, with the value OF the stock on hand.
| In the review we have taken of the
magnificent operations in every part OF
the world to extend the knowledge Of
Divine truth, the most ampls encou-
ragement to perseverance is afforded.
But there is yet another view Of the sub.
ject to be taken. The population Of the
globe has been rated eight hundred and
Fifty millions Of human beings. We
wilinow deduct ono half Of this number
for infants and those disabled by blind
ness and other natural defects from learn
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