Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-17

, cheering hone was entertained that these IN
situations would be richly blest OF God, and be-
come the medium Of rich and everlasting oess'
inps 10 Others. This hope, though MOI ehtHey
biehied, has, nevertheless, been Tar from oein9
fully realized. Owing TO the indlsposiiion o,
your Agent, in that region, which rendered
him incapable of continuing his ae'ivs ana ae-
voted services, together, 90 doubt, win oy Tar
too great an indifference 10 the demands OF sem-
denying duty, that warm ana araeh' Sp.rn
which seemed To be 5rsathed during the hrst
moments Of excitement began gradually 10
cool; and, we have much reason 10 copc'uue'
has at length almos, completely died away.
During the summer, after much enquiry and
earnes, prayer 10 God for light and direcnon,
an Agent was procured ~ visit and organize
Societies in the five lower counties IN The North
ern Neck. The ground here, was altogether
new, and, il we are rightly informed, never De-
fore occupied. Ard this fact, associated WIFE
other circumstances which may very readily oe
imagined rendered the duties deVoi'ihS OH
your Agent Ga total stranger III that region OF
! country Of a character peculiarly iormiaao'e
and arduous. Yet, they were entered upon
with zeal much to be commenced; ana uis'
charged with an untlring diligence, and strong
Unmarked fidelity. BY mos, OF The people ne
was received with great kindness, anu enttr-
tanned with unbounded hospitality. And at'er
ISneeling with some opposi'ion. a: was expect
ed, Societies of much interest, and high prom
Use, were fo:lred in each OF the counnes -ooc'-
cites, embedyiug large proportion OF the IN
huence, rcspeo liability, and moral worm, I'D 'na'
VII ole region; and, consequently, OF such cha
racter as 10 inspire the Board with instant con-
fidence OF their future usefulness. If their sub
seouen, movements have not been as grand,
and concentrated, and rapid, as the II st inu-
NATION Of their D, omising materials led us 10
exDect, il is more than likely that, measuring
our hopes by cur wishes, our expectations ran
too fast, and too far; thai the difficulties always
attend ant IN new organizations vi such DIES.
cription, were not properly taken into the &C
| count; and that, in one word, We were looking
from incipent childhood, for that which ought
onIy 10 be anticipated from the full strength
and maturity Of manhood. Bur, though they
have not outSfripped our ardent wishes, nor by
any means kip, pace with them, ekceptl In ONE
instance, they have all been moving forward;
and we indulge the hope, tina, the time is not
far distant when the cheering Information will
be communicated Of their having fully dlscharg-
ed those weigh,y responsibilities, from which,
at the period Of their organization, they i6er-
ated US. The one instance, here referred TO, Is
tina, in the county OF Ri'hmond. From this,
no Information has been received since the Pc
Rod Of its formation; and from the length Of
time which has interviewed, serious apprehen-
sons are entertained that, from some unfriend-
" cause, it has long since ceased TO exist
In the mean time, however, while these dis
,ant operations were going your Board
were by no means unmindiul Of he high respon-
.ib:li,y which was pressing upon them near
! er home Exploring Committees were appoint
ed Tor every ward In this city, while an Agen,
was sen, out to ascertain the wants OF every
other part Of the county; and the duty assign
ed in either case, was, that not family should
be lief, destitute Of copy of the Wore Of Life,
except in such cases where the proffered boon
should be absolutely refused. In the discharge
of this duty, we have no reason to suspect tina,
there was any want either of diligence or fideli-
ty; and if a family can now be found in this
whole county, in which there be no, a Bible, il
is conscientiously believed that the mourniml
fact may be traced up TO awful determination
not 10 have one. Such families there may be;
bur, for the honor Of humanity, we have cause
10 think and know that The number is exceed
ingiy small.
Vriualy, then, the pledge which this Society
gave 10 the public, when entering upon the ope-
rations OF the year, has been redeemed. The
wide. and, apparently, unpromising field, has
been entered and occupied. Difficulties have
dwind!ed down, or shrunk away, in exact pro.
portion to the steady courage with which they
have been contemplated, or the unliring perse-
verance with which they have been encounter
ed. huxiliaries have been raised up in every
county. The responsibility, TO the eye Of sense
so tremendous, which you had assumed. OF sup
plying all the destitute within their limirs, has
been voluntarily assumed and divided among
them. In our own county, the Light OF Life,
and Fountain Of Comfort, has made its way ln-
to every family: in Lancaster and Northumber-
land, i, is travelling fast, and has perhaps reach
ed the same happy consnmnation: in King
George, the number Of the destitute, which
had been faithfully ascertained, has been redu-
ced 10 more than half; anG though cloud do
seem to settle and frown upon the presen, pros
poets Of some, its effect is by no means such as
to induce dependency. or paraIyze exertion.
This cloud, like that which sometimes skirts
the horizon at the early dawn, may soon be dis
sipi,Aed; and, instead Of gloom and shivering