The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-12-26
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS, SPY.
WORCESTER COUNTY AUXILIARY BIB. e

II,
SOCIETY
The Agent Tor New England, of the American
Bible Society, is about to visit the several towns
in this County, TO awaken attention TO the impor-
lance of the cause which brought that Society and
this Auxiliary into being. 1t is to be hoped that
new life will be infused into this Branch Society
and though among the Oldest and perhaps the fee
blest of similar societies, that it NAV vet appear
vigorous in renovated youth. 1t becomes ali who
profess to regard the Bible as containing the lively
oracles of God to arise as one man. and unite with
this Society. and let the world see, by action as
well by profession, that the Bible is dear to
them, Let no unhallowed eaouses-no ancient
grudgo bitterness choke the growth of the truth
The object is to aid in disseminating the common
English Uerson of the Bible tpithout Note or Com
ment and that Christian deserves the pity and
the prayers of all fellow disciples who cannot unite
with any and all sects and parties in Christendom
for that purpose. To stimulate all 20 exertion we
ask attention to the following extracts from the
Report Of the Directors q this Auxiliary, made at
the Annual Meeting in October 1881, a very able
and eloquent document which has been Civ
en- to the public through the newspapers.
" The wants Of the American Bible Society are
pressing -its operations greatly enlarged ex-
ertions greatly blessed and its opportunities for
extensive and lasting good 10 the country and the
word-to the temporal and eternal interests of
man, were never so distinctly visible as now.
al 1t is not time for the patriot and the philan-
thropist to be idle Enterprise is the watch-word
OF the day. Inc human mind rs on the alert and
pressing forward with unwonted zeal and strength
Human power is continually Accomplishing and
there is n corresponding demand that knowledge
be diffdsed, the knowledge of those moral and re-
ligious principles which can alone give wise d.
rectiOn to power render its existence safe to the
social system.
=" Shall The County of Worcester. hang back
when the voice of Providence cries on,card /?
Shall the spirit of its 10000 inhabitants sleep over
the political and moral destiny of our whole land
Shall the general thrift, the multiplied comforts
the prosperous industry and frugalty, not to say
aiuence of this County, neglect their high obliga-
tons, iorego the privileges OF humanity and with
hold their share of support from the cause to which
God is waiting to be gracious We hope better
things, though we thus speak. And though it is
the compulsory acknowledgement of truth that this
County, as such, has not contributed to this be-
neyuient cause in proportion to her means and the
reasonable expectations extensively cherished, we
will not now attempt 10 Investigate and expound the
causes which have produced the fa:lure nor in
dulge in gloomy forcbodngs of the future. but,
rather, cherlch and encourage the belief that this
County will arise and put on strength and go for
ward with her united energies to cooperate with
the benevolent Throughout our country-to feed the
destitute with the bread of life-to advance the
moral glory of our land, and to extend the bounda-
ries of tina: Kingdom tchich is righteousness and
peace and joy IN the Holy Ghost
g Let no one dream that the scattered powers of
the benevolent in this community cannot be gather
prise for which this Society has being. Such fam
cies are too apt to paralyze wakeul hours and
thus create the reality deprecate. They are
derogatory to the Intelligence generally dffused
among us--to the well known moral aspect of this
County-to the love Of Christian institutions which
has ever marked and ever blessed her children
and to her ready susceptibility of influence tor the
great motives of Christian benevolence. Surely
there is ground firm enough to support the full
weight and broad enough to give scope to the
benevolent movements of every sect which claims
discpleship in the church Of Christ. The prnci-
Piles of our Society are magnificent They we're
designed to be as wide as the acknowledgement of
Christian obligation. On the Constitution of our
Society, consentaneous with that of the American
Bible Society, all may stand and cooperate in har-
mony tor that success which under God is depend.
ent on united strength.
The idea fraught with mischief that the terri
tora extent of this Society too large for the ex.
citement of that degree of feeling which is always
necessary for vigorous action, it is believed, will
not bear the test of scrutiny, 1t is agreeable to
the human mind to contemplate the vast and to
take part in magnificent operations. The enjoy
ment which arises to the good from going with the
multitude in the way of duty, is but the wise eff
feet of the same constitutional principle which en-
hances the short-liyed pleasures of sin to those
who join with the multitude in its commission
Who that feels solic!ous for the safety and final
glory of his country and the world does no. feel
deepencd interest in our Parent Institution when
considering the wide expanse of lis benevolence-
that 1t is the moral reservoir of the whole land
and that receiving its supply from the tributary
streams OF vast country it exhales the water OF
life to refresh the whole land and to quench the
thirst of every inhabitant" A.