Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-17

To Inc. yario,s Sunday Schools, existing III
town. those facilities formerly granted 'of oo-
tanning res,amen,s, at an easy ,a'.' "a,e
continued on the same footing during the past
year. And there are perhaps no chahneis open
ed through wfi.h the streams oil your socletys
benerieence can roll on, with the prospect OF
more healtbful and enrich;ng influence. AROUND
these interesting seminaries OF almost inian'
immor,als. are daily clustering the dearest
homes. and fondest wishes, both OF civil score
~. and The Church Of the living tiod. ana,
were they no, cherished, countcnanced ana sas-
tanned, by the cordial efforts OF an inS''u'io",
having for its object the same oiessen oonsu",-
nation, doubts might reasonably De ihu"'geu'
whether the Board were proving themselves
worthy the high trust which has oesh reposeu
in them.
But however dear to their hearts inns ooJce'
NAV have been, however dear II shouia' e'e'
continue TO be; there was one other spec'a"y ~
reference to which, Indifference on inc Pa:' oi
your BoarI, would have been little snort OF OUT
rage against christian philanthropy. RESPECT
is here had TO the claims, anc wants OIL sea"eh:
tina, useful, though long neglected, ana e.nSe-
ouenlly, long SHINING, and debased class oil nm
nor,ais. who 20 dom TO the sea in ships, and do
business on The great uniers. They need The 81
than its purifying influences, and Transforming
mower. and the instances are not isolated and
solitary, in which these inestmabte blessings
have resulted 10 them froin the B.ble The en-
couraping report has alfe ady been made, ana
we rejoice 10 state, thai lis cheering sound Is
rapidly going out into all the world that the
| hearts of seamtr are Us accessible to the NE
giving power o; gospel truth, as Other men s.
that not a few have already recognized II IN
their own happy experience: and are now re.
| ioicinein the delghlfn aud buoyant hope OF
the glory of God Knowing these things 20 be
true, your managers did not d'e, t" withhold
their hands from field SO rich in prori'e, and
exhibiting on its very threshold SO many Gus
tering Indications Of glorious and abundant
harvest Much indeed they could not do: but
tina, lutte done in faith, ike the gram q muSin,
seed, representing. gospel kingdom, may be
productive of fruit, which will rejoice and make
glad the ciiy of The IUi1g God, throughout the
countless ages Of eternity. In this therefore,
at least, they expect not only your entire appro-
baton, bu, your united prayers, that their Tee
BILE effort be crowned with an enr!ching, and
eternal blessing.
AS the sphere Of the Boards operations is
necessarily contracted, or enlarged in exact &C
cordance with tie disposition of the public
mind, and as il is that disposition continuing
friendly, 10 which, under God, the Society Is
indebted, for its past success and increasing
usefuiness il is in perfect harmony with both
The impulse Of feeling, and obligations OF duty,
that this fact be distinctly recognized in our re-
port: andlhat il be accompanied at the same
time with record, expressive, both Of gratitude,
and thanks. giving. Gratitude for the continu-
ance OF. :hat disposition; and Thanksgiving to
the God Of all grace who has prompted is e&-
tera,ion Il tne pulse Of pablo feeling bearing
upon the interests Of our Benevolent design it
has been exhibited under an aspect so peculiar
ly encouraging, as ought to quicken our zeal,
ana excite 10 more efficient, aud extensive ope-
lra'luns. Pccuniarv patronage, agteeably TO
the statement airrad, made. has been more Sc
neral than al any formcr time: the influence Of
Friendly iyrliue, indicative of growing favor
has mani!, Say been widening: and from the
nHion Of ,hese, the inference i, .egi,imaciy de-
duoed, thai confidence IN The goodness OF our
cause, is net only steady, but ,teariy ProE~s-
sI,e Most sincerely therefore should we pray.
ma. lille the patrons of til Bible are yearly
multiplying and the; while they are enrlch!ng
oilers, with consolaions and with hope, by
heir cheerful 5cEcfacliJns, rich and appro-
pirate tide OF blessing may be relied back into
their own hosonrs:--lhat while lcatsring offers,
they may BE- o5wndunhy ,eatered also ifsmselvss:--
and'that the Senedictions Of many ready 10 perish
~ q came dozen upon Mem'
! HE information of'en communicated from
the Parent Society, continues to be of the most
cheering and animaiiug description. Like the
sun, which pursucs his silent, yet luminous and
majestic track along The cloudless canopy a.
hove; this Institution, continually moving on
ward, with Increasing magnitude, and bright
enlng ius,re, is shedding down its richness, 'and
glory, and life-giving influence, on every por-
lion Of cur beloved country. 1t reaches indeed
10 other lands: and combining its operations,
with other national societies looking forward
towards the same blessed and sublime result,
The period is rapidly developing, when through
their instrumentality, the Bible will lift up It's
meiloved voice in sounds of salvation, TO eve
~ nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
under the whole heaven. Penetrating the thick
mis,s OF fuiurily, and looking down through
but few succeeding generations, and we already
hehoId with the ken Of prophecy, their silent,
yet steady, and progressive inAueuce, under
mining and crumbiing into dust, the idols and
affairs of devils: and in the place of their unhal-
lowed shrincs, towering temples arising 10 the
Living God. Already, in Imagination do we
listen to that universal song which must be
sung in heaven and earth, The Kingdoms Of this
,rorIa hire become the kingdoms Of our Lo'd and