Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-16


cunning workmen and open channels OF wealth
adequate TO the work.
! II is the glory Of the present age, not only
that il is the age Of learning and Of useful IN
ventions, but that it is the age in which Chris
tians are advancing the sacred art Of doing
! good, and are putting moral mechanics in mo
| ton to disseminate blessings far and wide, and
| to renovate the world There is a holy am6''
| tion in benevolence, that will nor be satisfied
with any thing less than universal dominion
| II is the spirit Of the Sovereign diflused into
his subjects, 10 extend his peaceful reign IRON
the rivers TO the end OF the earth, and as good
soldiers they would carry the sword Of the spl-
rit into every citadel where the Prince Of Dark
ness retains his sway.
There is holy resfsssneSs in beneyoIencc-
like water flowing into mighty void, il forces
It's wav into every creyicc. Obstacles may I'M
pede, out if it cannot remove them it rises and
swells until it surmounts them, and rolls on It's
uninterrupted course. Obstacles have OPP
posed the Bible cause. Pride and parsimony,
luxury and extravaganza. in6delity and Pagan
ism, Mahome anism and Judaism have risen
like mountains before Christian efforts; but the
little hills have mouldered into plaius and the
mountains are shaken to the foundation.
The year 1904 was a new era in the Church;
it gave birth 10 Bible Societies IN The old world.
In 1908, the heaven-born genius planted her
standard and unfurled her banners on the west
ern continent. In 1916, the General National
Institution was organized-every State now
rail- es round her standard, and we regard it as
a stronger band of union than Our Federal poll
ucal compact The year 1927 has been new
era in Bible Societies. The Auxiliary Society
of Nassau Hall, (New Jersey maured plan
Fl IL, in h., St,f will
copy Of the Sacred Volume. The spirit spread
like electric fluid; and before the year closed,
more than half The States in the Union adopt
ed the same noble resolution; and we doubt not
bu, that it will continue so To spread; that be-
fore the jubilee OF Bible Societies is kept, all
Chris,endom will have the light Of life in eve.
nv dwelling, and the trump of the centuriai ju-
biiee will be joyful sound in every nation "pro.
claiming liberty TO the cap,ires, and the open-
ing OF the prison 10 them that are bound. -
Already, tie pillar of FIRE warns and softens
the heart of the Greenlander, by nature cold aud
hard as his native ice. The pillar Of cloud
guides the pilgrim through his moral desert
The crystal stream slakes the Parched Indians
thirst. The heavenly mama deScends around
The Arabs tent; and VIZ antici pate the time, as
not very Tar distant, when the whole human
family will cross the Jordan Of superstition.
ignorance and idolatry into The promised land,
ard constitute a kingdom Of Priests 10 the liv-
ine God.
Your Managers felt that they would be un-
faithful 70 their dury, and unworthy of the ,ru.,
con6ded to hem, if they did not, a, least, make
an effort to follow the good example which sis
ter Societies. had placed before them. They
knew ,ha, the wants Of Virginia, to which they
fe't bound by many endearing ties, were great
they felt that it was the field in which they
could labor with most efficiency; and on Christ
mas-dav OF laSt year, your IvIIUagrrS uctermin-
I'd to extend the proclamation Of "peace on
-arth and good will TO men," and unanimously
adopted the resolution, Immediately to enter
upon such measures DIS may lie deemed most
appropriate to the important object o! supply
ing with the Holy Scriptures every family in
the State Of Virginia. In conformity with
this re solution, your Secretary was directed to
open correspondence with all the principal
Bible Societies in Virginia. This step was
dpsigoed as the entering wedge OF further eff
forts. Bur, as is not uncommon, Providence
had gone before US, or rather had sen, his mes |
senger to prepare the way-at that very mo-
ment, when he said to the North give up, lac
said TO the South keep not back"--at The same |
time plans were concerted BY the Bible Society
Of Virginia, located in the city Of Richmond,
under the eXertionS oil the Agent oil the Anne |
rican Bible Society, for the very same object.
The Society Norfolk ms, antIy pledged itself
for the supply Of zen couni les. In January he
visited his place, and urged similar s'ep on
us, (which also we were forward TO do" and |
now your Society stands pledged TO see the
counties of Alexandria, Fairfax Prince wis
liam, King George, Westm"reland, Rit hmond,
Northumberland and Lancaster supplied wi h |
the Word Of God; and we regard il as sacre
for The performance Of which our
inIe gritty TO man and God is involved. Nor
have your Managers allowed it TO sleep as
mere idle resolution. A Committee was in
slanlly created. invested with authority TO APP
point IN Agent or Agents, 10 give proper in-
structlons, and make necessary arrange ments,
for the accomplishment Of their object. The
Committee, feeling the weight Of duty which |
levolred upon them, commended themselves
and their cause to the God Of the Bible. Their
first aim was, if possible, to engage suitable
Minister of the Gospel, as most likely 10 sues
coed in the good work before them. Though |
every exerlion was made, none could be found
A I.nn,b ,hox, ,v.r. J,r.rtal ~ su;,,bla 4