Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-04-11
[BY REQUEST.
REPORT

o'e ooclely, 10 Whlch II became auxiliary al an
early stage OF its existence. After having sup.
piled with the holy scriptures many within the
appropriate sphere Of its operations, il deter
mined on an entire supply of the destitute fam
hes IN Amite county, and took measures to
TINS cnd. lew years after it resolved on a
re-supply oil this county, about two months
previous to the passage Of the resolution Of the
American Bible Society to supply the rising
generation throughout the United States.--
Whilst, on the ono hand, the Amite Society
was sensible of its obligation TO carry into eff.
feet its own resolution, and to cooperate in its
auxiliary character, for the accomplishment of
the object OF the national institution, it felt, on
the other hand, the difficulty Of this two-foId
undertaking, at a time when the Bible cause
attracted with us so little public attention.
Not that our community is at any time indiffer-
ent to the truths which the Bible reveals, theI
duties it enjoins, or the hopes it inspires; but
there seems to be a general impression, that
there can be no need for extraordinary pains
to circulate book SO generally known, and
easily procured; and hence the slow progress
of the Bible cause.
! In this state Of apathy the alternative was
either TO abandon the cause, or make an unusu|
al effort to sustain it. The former was contra
ny to every sense of duty, and every motive of
good The latter therefore was chosen; and
after much protraced conference on the sub
lJect, 1t was ultimately agreed upon to appoint
a special agent, whose duty it should be to per-
wade the county, for the purpose of ascertain
ing and supplying, at the same time, all the
destitute contemplated by the two resolutions.
and Of soliciting donations in aid of the scanty
funds of the society But where to find per. =
son both qualified for, and willing to undertake ;
such an agency presented question of great, +
difficulty, and one which occasoned still fur =
her delay in commencing operations for the OBJ q
ects in view. AT length the President of our =
society found it practicable, after much enqui- b
y on the subject, to procure The services of 81
ir. Henry Mcdonald, Theological student of n
oakland College, during the fall vacation of r.
hat institution; and after the agency of Mr.. -,
lcDonad ceased, he (the Presidency succeeded ~ y.
obtaining the services of Mr.. John A. Smv- l.,
e, licentiate ofthe Presbytery of Mississippi. ~
Tho finished the work which his predecessor f,
ommenced. These appointments were deem
l appropriate and happy, as the result has
roved
The combined labors of these two Young
under the instructions and with the
'rsonal assistance Of our President, have
heved the undertaking which the Society has
I'd so much al heart. Their respective re- oil
'rts have been submitted to, and approved by les
board of Directors, and the following is an
summary OF their principal statements and al
marks. w.
Mr. Mcdonald visited 262 families, and "re- ha
lVed credible information in relation to the fc
Pply OF AZ others with the holy scriptures.n ar
found 81 families entirely destitute of these On
riptures-distrbuted IS bibles and 1871 tes- Oh
ments, and received 60 dollars and 563 cents No
books, membership and donations. Mr.. Ma
HylIe visited, or had credible information in e,
allon to, 292 families, and found 81 destitute hn
Inc Bible" Ot these 81 he supplied SO, lea to
'g 10 families still destitute of the bible, ba- ,he
lg exhausted all that he had or could procure. Mn
lestaments (of which he had an ample sup r'U'
y he distributed l47 and received for books. l.,
and donations, SO dollars and 68} ~
ats. vi
bo'h OF the agents speak in grateful terms 20 20
me general kindness and hospitality of the soI
mines visited, whilst one of them expresses an,
culiar obligations to Judge WALL and the s Sh'
ncf 10 Mr.. Duncan Wilkinson, for the laciG- ha,
3 ana ald afforded them, in the performance do,
their TABOR Of 'orc. Their respective reports lar
zen IN connection, show that the Bible Socie- orr
Is generally well approved, and that its BIZ In,
. ana tes'aments are thankfully received by 80
destitute. Objection to the institution. or ~
luSal OF It's books, is too rare 10 merit notice ,bo
discourage perseverance 1t is not TO be no
lceaied, however, that although there be but hlo
nc spirit OF opposition, there is much neqli-lic
nee on this subject. One of the agents saws. M
mere appears to be an alarming indifference we
relation to the Bible. The heads of several W.
'hose families who had only new testament
re professors of religion; but have the sat
acuoh TO say, that both the Bibles and tesla. hy
nts were gratefully received in every in Arr
hce' and sometimes with the greatest delight,
ave seen many christian mothers bosom (
;. with molly Joy, on presenting her children the
N the word of life, and have received repea tho
assurances that they should read and study nav
vel. have sometimes been told 81 have me,
ira That you were in the neighborhood, but nos
'area mat you would not find our house, and and
DID every one saw, be sure and send you and
as In but one instance has there been vor
Gsal either of "a biblc or testament"
nc same agent further says, "Permit me this
;aIl your attention TO the subject of the use nav
he Bible in schools. In that part ortbe +
nlry which have visited, this holy book is shor
orally banished from the schools. whilst | son
convinced, from the appreciation with ene enc,
oh parents spoke of its use as a teyt hook II
II has not been by their order; il has been and
c by the teachers. Upon enquiry into the A
IouS principles oCthe teacher in Sayorol :; -