Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-05-27
PRINCE WILLIAM AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY.
BRrxrsv1LLE, May Sd, 1929.

day, having been prevented by rain, the mem
bers thereof, sufficient to proceed to business,
assembled to- day in the COURTHOUSE; and,
the Presiden, being absent, on motion, the Rev.
ELIAS HARRIsoN, Of Alexandria, late Cores
ponding Secretary to the Young Mems Bible
Society of Alexandria, who favored the Socie-
~ with his presence, was called to preside over
the meeting. The following Report was then
read by the Corresponding Secretary, and
adopted:
REPORT.
The period fixed by the constitution OF the
Prince William County Bible Society tor Its
Annual Meeting, and Report of the 3oaId oil
Managers, for the past year, having arrived,
they beg leave, respectfully, to present the fol-
lowing statement:
In the FIRST in is Ianee its their duty to acknow.
ledge the favorable circumstances under which
they are permitted to meet together at this
time, calling for The unreserved homage OF their
grateful acknowledgements 10 the GIver OF all
Good; and although they are thus favored by
their Divine Parent, they have TO deprecae and
lament the many Deficiencies, onaheir part, II
dlscharging those duties imposed upon them
from the nature of their trust; but they, are ne
yertheless, ncouraged TO persevere, from the
circumstance that they are not left wholly
without hope Of the Ultimate success Of the i'm
portant work in which they are engaged: The
means 10 per2etuate it are within their reach,
and are sttainable by proper Management, and
renewed energies, (which are alike indispensa.
bic 10 the accomplishment Of all objects OF i'm
porlance That Christianity has elevated the
character Of man, and blessed him, in the va.
rious relations he has sustained in this life, we
presume will not be denied by many We
must shut our eyes against the light of truth
if we do no, yield implicit faith to the e1al,ing
virtues of our divine religion. We can, per-
haps, form some estimate Of its value and infIu.
ence, by supposing that il had never shed It's
light anG blessings upon us.-What, then,
would have be. n our condition, or the state Ut
The world? In all probability, the gross dark
n, IS which benightrd mankind in the first ages,
and, in some degree, now extends over our hap
| DIV and beloved country, would have been per-
petuated. The Star that attracted the Gu.
riosi,y Of the Wise Men Of the East" has be-
come sun Of light to the human race; and
wherever its light reached, il has 1een The pa
rem, of civilization, of knowledge, ard OF virtue.
Christianity being revelation from God, re-
corded in the Bible, it must be obvious that we
can never have JUS, and satisfactory view OF
its doctrines, unless we are possessed OF the
writings thai promulgs'e ,hem. IN diffusing
these sacred books, we, Of course, rendvr an all
important benefit 10 our country: hence we
should feel the importance Of extending these
sights % our fellow creatures Of every condi-
lion, which would enablr them to &C, correctly,
and % appreciate Justly the advantages and
blessings we enjoy over every other nation,
and, above all, open the way 10 state OF un-
changeable bliss.
/, gives them pleasure to state, that no oc.
cur, ence has transpirrd, in the discharge OF
their duties, calculated 10 injure the cause
They have endravored 10 act upon what they
conceive to b. the spirit and intention OF the
cons ituion, and feel assured no instance can
he adduced. in Which secrarian feelings have
had any influence in the discharge of their do
ties.
Since the appointment of Managers, in the
f, st instance, the names Of Joseph A. William
SON and Wallace McCrea, Esqrs. have been
added to the Ist-ihe former TO supply the va
cancy occasioned by the death OF James How
etson, and the latter that Of Or. James b. c.
Thornton, who has not rendered himself eigl-
bl, by signing our constitution.
As We, W. have accomplished but little in the
distribution OF Bibles and Testaments, IN cohse.
quence OF inattention on the part OF some OF
the Agents, and for the want OF time BY the
Treasurer TO make collections and reports OF
The state of funds We have not the means
Of ascertaining, with any degree Of accuracy,
the number Of persons destitute Of the Scrip
upes within ne county; but. from facts that
have come to our knowledge, there is much
larger number than was anticipated.
From the rreasurer's account, as audited, il
appears tia, the sum # S25 have been laid out
in procuring "a Bibles ana 70 TeNaments-
mr. ally all Of which have bier distributed va
rious parts Of the county by Agens appointed
for that purpose. There remains, al pre- en, in
his hands the sum Ct 80 SO cents, TO be laid
out a. heretofore; and he sum of 1876 is yet to
be collected from the list Of the year now clos
ed.
Some remarks having been made by the
Chairman, on the importance Of the cause in
whit h the members Of the institution are mu-
,ualy engaged; the necessity Of free expression
of sen,imen, by the members, as to the most