Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-02-11
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EfRETLAR
TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC.

! a.
TO THE CHRISTIAN PUBLIC.
WINCHESTER, January %, 1896.
We beg your attention, while we lay
before you subject which we deem
Of great importance.
You are probably aware, that, at
the earnest solicitation of many ofthe
most distinguished Ministers and Lay
! men Of different denominations in the
Southern States, especially in Virgins
ia, the American Tract Society, at
their Anniversary n May 1884 pas.
sed the following resolution:
/ Resolred, That this Society, with
out relaxing, in any degree, its efforts
for Pagan lands, and for other portions
ofour own country, do cordially res
pond to the call Of our brethren in the
Southern States and relying upon the
i blessing of God, and the jealous CO.
operation Of the South, viii cndeayor,
| with the least possible delay, besides
the continued circulation of Tracts, to
place one or more of the Society's
bound volumes in every family ready
TO receive the same, in the States Of
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and the Ter
ritory Of Florida
This resolution has been extended
SO as to embrace every State in the
Union. The results that have follow
| ed the work, in this State, have been
the principal means of inducing the
Christian community to ask, and the
Society to resolve upon, this extension
of the original plan.
The grounds on which this enter
prise is advocated, are briefly these
There is a melancholy restitution in
our country Of a preached gospel. Let
one fact illustrate this; A gentleman
Who has the best opportunities Of
knowing, and whose statements are en-
titled 10 the fullest credit, has recent
| ~ stated, that, while the State Of Vir-
GINA contains a population Of one
million two hundred thousand, only
five hundred thousand enjoy the re-
gular stated ministry Of the Gospel
from any denomination.
There is great deficiency Of reli-
gious books. In one congregation
lately supplied, when twelve or thirteen
hundred volumes were distributed, ten
or twelve volumes were repeatedly
sold, as the distributors report, in FAM
lilies that before had not single rcli-
gious book, except perhaps the bible.
| How many families who were unable
TO purchase, now entirely destitute,
may thus have excellent books gratui-
tously furnished themi
The books proposed to be carried in
to every family, are standard evange-
lical voumes--plain, instructive, and
pungent, and cordially received by all
denominations Christians. They have
been eminently blessed Of God to the
conversion of sinners and the cdifca-
ton Of His people.
In view Of these and other conside-
rations, the Executive Committee of
the Winchester Tract Society, at a
meeting held on the 9th Of January,
Unanimously Resolued, In depend
ence upon divine aid and cooperation
ofthe Christian community, That this
Society will undertake to supply the
| Counties oil Frederick, Jefferson, Nor
! gan, Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy,
Shenandoah, and Page, with one or
more Of the bound volumes Of the A.
merican Tract Society, for every FAM
| lily willing to receive the same, within
| the space Of one year from the LIST Of
I April next, or as soon after rs possible.
| Resolped, That the Rev. S. B. S.
Bissel, Agent Of the Virginia Tract
Society, be requested by this Society
to commence his labors within the a.
bove bounds, to further the views and
assist the operations Of this Society ir
carrying the above resolution into eli.
! feet.
We trust that these resolutions vii
at once commend themselves to your
hearts, and that you will at once rend
er us the aid Of your influence and ac
| tive efforts to carry the res solution in.
to full and successful accomplishment.