Piney Woods planter. (Liberty, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1838-1840, 1839-04-13

tuHy tCCthouuy Tue uSstltutO' ODy~N
ton to the institution, or refusal OF its
books, is too rare 10 merit notice, or DIS
courage perseverance,. II is not TO be
concealed however, that although there
be but little spirit Of opposition, there is
much negligence on this subject. One OF
the agents saws, "There appears to be an
alarming Indifference in relation to the
Bible--The heads of several Of those fam
lilies who had only new testament, were
professors Of religion; but ! have the sat
sfaction to say, that both the Bibles and
testaments were greatfully received mi
every instance, and sometimes with the
greatest delight. have seen many al
cristian mothers bosome beat with holy
Joy, on presenting be. Children with the
word Of life, and have received repeated
assurances that they should read and
study il well. have sometimes been told
have heard that you were in the neigh
borhood, but | feared that you would not
find our house, and | told every one saw,
be sure and send you to u.s." In but one
instance has there been refusal either
of bible or testament"
The same agent further says, "Permit
me to call your attention to the subjet of
the use Of the Bible in scools. In that
part of the country which have visited,
this holy book is generally banished from
the schools, whilst am convinced, from
the appreciation with which parents spoke
of its use MS text book, that II has not
been by their order; it has been done by
the teachers.
Upon enquiry unto the religious princi
pies of the teacher, in several instances
have found them to be reflections of the
religion of the Bible" Our agents con-
cur in stating that the recipients of the
scriptures, generally, would have Profler-
ed paying for them, instead of obtaining
them gratis, if they had been prepared to
do SO at the time, and il is here proper to
remark, that the then dsordered state Of
the currency was popularity unfavora-
Bile to oil benevolent purposes requiring
contributions in money.
| Had our Bible Society made the same
effort two or three years sooner when
times were good and small silver change
plenty, the opinion is INDUCED that the
citizens of our county would have sus-
tanned il with readiness aud complete eff
feet. Indeed they have sustained it so
far as to ensure ultimate success. The
amount by the agents, for books dona-
tons and membership, is full two thirds of
the amount expended in the late destri-
button Of the scriptures throughout the
county, the cost Of the books excepted.
Upon the whole, the expense ofthis under
taking is found to be much less than had
been apprehended; and the Directors have
the satisfaction TO state that the Society
is not in debt, except to the parent insti-
tuition for the last supply of bibles and tes-
taments the cost of which they have not
yet ascertained
i And they entertain the hope that they
will be enabled to discharge the greater
part Of this dobt, by the benevolent con-
tribution which they hope to realize on
this anniversary. together with the small
balance of about $40 dollars now in the
treasury. The best Of all is the county
. is now supplied with the word of God
: There lacked but Is copies Of the Bible
4 to render the supply complete; and ther'
: will be no difficulty in completing it wheI
: that small number of copies is procured
= inasmuch as the remaining destitute fam
: lilies are designated by name and neigh
!, borhood in the agents report. AS to ter
! taments, the supply is already complct
" and the design Of the Parent Society
y relation to the rising generation, is ca
: ried into full effect, so far Us Amite CouI
J. ty is concerned.
- After all, we have done but little col
= = sidering how limited the sphere With
= which our labors have been confined; b.
~ it is gratifying to reflect that this lit
~ has been done we'll. God be praised TIL
~ we have been permitted to do any thin
for the advancement Of his holy caus
!. II is all Of grace. Charity began, al
no has now perform cd its duty, at hon
~ Sha y il then cease from its labors? N
~ this is contrary to its nature; for where
- ceases to act il ceases to exist.
~ Now can it want appropriate oblec
~ for lis munifcence, so long as any portl
Of the human family remain without
40 light of life. Hundreds Of Millions
heather lie in moral darkness and deaf
nu and it is the province, the duty and {
on On aim Of Bible Societies, especially Of n
by tional Societies and auxiliaries, TO Sc
= ~ them the light of the glorious Gospel
~ Christ, as the least means of mcIioratl
=, = their moral and physical condition, a
no. the only means revealed of leading th'
ie to ultimate bliss. We, as an auxiliary
~ tho American Bible Society, are bound
~ cooperate with it in the prosecution
N this momentous enterprise, and althou
W W our aid may be little, il will be felt a
a. bless ed. The good it may effect will
"a known to an Omniscient God, as will a
,iy the motive of contribution to his eau
~, II is enough for us TO know this, and Il
'nu we shall be doing his will in diffuslng
=, word.