Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-05-24

Our single aim IS, 10 spread the Gos'
pei, until every person IN our vicinity
nag, il we might indulge the pleasing
hope-unlil every soul on earth, should
possess the pure, unmixed Word OF Di-
vine Truth.
Would, that every one who now hears
me, were intimately conversant with the
operations of these admirable instltu-
sions | would that you COZ i'd all behold
the joyful reception that has been gwen
70 the Scripture by THREE HUNDRED
THOUSAND souls who have been supplied
by the American Bible Society. | would
you could extend your view TO the hun
dreds of thousands, who have been libe-
rated from moral bondage through the
agency of the Russian, and other Socle-
ties of continental Europe. would you
and survey the vast moral deserts which
have been watered and refreshed by the
streams of benevolence that flow from
the British and Foreign Bible Society;
gladdening the hearts and cnlightening
the minds of MILLIONS of the human
with wonder and with Joy on view of the
immense mass Of good effected, | would
lead you to an assembly--such as has
been convened three dnys since--of the
institution to which we look up with H.
lial reverence, gratitude and love. There
would you see the hidden machinery
which moves the vast engine.-There
would you detect the secret springs OF
action. You would behold an assem-
blage Of men, whose talents shine over
the civilized world; and have directed
the affairs of nations, bending their no.
blest powers to the task of spreading the
knowledge of Divine Truth: You would
see Ministers of Christ of every sect, me
on common ground, and making a har-
monious effort in common cause: You
would see laymen of every order, step
ping forward in the cause Of revealed
Truth and gladly aiding in its dissent
nation: And you would see one Spirit
of CHRISTIAN BENEvoLENcE actualiDg
them all.
D. you doubt the fidelity of this pic
ture! Take, read the annual reports.
Mark he details of their pro ceilings
Pvruse the eloquent appeals, from men
in all the classes have enumerated,
which were made 10 the hearts and un
derstandngs OF their auditors a, the
eighth anniversary. Catch, il you can,
the spirit of the orators and lie, your bet
ter feelings have play. lfyour hearts
h. fHaty &. ri al ctap
ner stuff" than mine. II your judg-
mcnts be no. convinced, they are more
obtuse, or more stouly shielded in scep-
ticism than mems minds usually are.
They will--they must convince, and
convert 10 the cause of Bible Societies,
every mind of ordinary capacity--every
heart Of common sepslbil,iy.
Blu, will not tire your patience, and
exhaust myself in feeble exertions to
rouse your attention TO this great object,
while l can bid you listen to strains like
these, from men on whose eloquence
Senates have hung, and congregations
waited with delight: Men who have FL
led space in history, or, who are even
now bursting forth in the splendor o! ge-
MUS, and the heavenly radiance OF Pier.
To them I would call your attention.
and to Him, who commanded Go we
into all ,h worl and preach the Cos
nel to EVERY CREATURE"
May your hearts be widely expanded
with the feelings of enlightened and en-
,arged benevolence May you joysuily
become bepefactors to the destitute by
communicating the Bread of knowledge,
SO that i, may be SD fyou, in the Ian
guage Of wrapt Isaiah,
"How beautiful upon the tops Of the
mountains are the feet of him that bring
eth good tidings, that pub'lsheih peace !;
that bringeth good tidlngs OF good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith un'O IL
on, Thy God reigneth J"