The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-01-19

national societies for the circulation Of the
Bible without note or comment, are SUSTAIN
ed to a considerable extent, in most OF the
Catholic countries Of Europe, NotWlthstand-
ing thepoCUniary embarraSSments OF our own
country, during the past year, the cause IN
general has advanced as much, 1t is believed,
as during any previous year, The A. Is, So
ciety reports % new auxiliary societies, III l
different States, formed during the year
E,ighty-fve thousand six hundred and sew
enty-six dollars and eighty-three cents have
been collected in payment for books sold, in
Ibequests, and in contributions. There have
been printed 81, 600 bibles and l02, 900 testa-
ments, in English, German. Spanish and
Fronch-making in all 1872 ,292 copies, and
an aggregate since the formation Of the So
cietv. of two millions three thousand two
hundred q ninety-eight This report spreads
out before us many interesting facts concern
inc the operations Of local societies in diff
ferent parts of the country which we have
not room to notice in detail,
1t appears that extensive fields are opening
for the circulation Of the Scriptures, at home
and abroad, and in many of these the work
is progressing with encouraging success. The
boatmen upon our rivers, lakes and canals
are receiving the Word Of Life the sailor too
has this precious boon of philanthropy, that
when far from the sanctuary and christian
| friends. he may sit down in his ocean soil
tude, and read of God, and Christ, and the
sacred duties in which he had been instructed
in childhood, that a mothers prayers and
fathers solemn counsels and the laundering
tones of gospel warnings from the desk OF
the long-forg0tten sanctuary, may live alresh
in his memory
Calls for bibles have been received from
Canada and from Texas In some parts Of
South America there is desire abroad for
reading the scriptures. In Spain, even, where
| civil war is raging with more than its usual
violence, the providence Of God is at the same
time opening the way for the diffusion Of his
long-excluded Word. A protestant merchant
residing there in soliciting from the society
grant Of Spanish Scriptures, writes
"There is not the least doubt, in my mind,
that Divine Providence is now openinga way
for the dissipation Of the horrible abuses and
crimes which, under the holy name of rell-
gion, have so long stained this most unhap-
ply, but finest country Of the globe, and Of
which the intelligent portion Of thenationnoW
begin to see the effects. Believe me, sir, when
| tell you, from my own personal observation,
as well as collected information, that the way
is now open; and if proper and prompt meas
ures are adopted we may reasonably expect,
ay, even in our time, to see the Gospel, found
ed on the apostles and pyOphetS, and not on
ItrddIton, that great corner stone Of Romish
perstiton--established in this country"
In regard to the operations Of the Vermont
Bible Society during the past year, the Direc-
tors regret to say, that less has probably been
accomplished than during either of the pre-
vious three years. But they do not think that
ibis is owing to any dimnuton of interest
in the bible cause: for, wherever its claims
have been presented through your agent, it
has met with most gratifying encouragement,
Liberal contributions have been made by
men of all denominations and by all classes
Iof the community.
While it gives the Directors pleasure toI
bear testimony to the continued falth1ulneSS
and zeal of your agent, from the pecuniary
embarrasSmcnts of the times and for other
reasons which seemed to render it eXpedient
he has been excused from the service of the
society during seven months Of the year
One occasion Of this suspension of his opera
tons was the urgent demand for ministerial
IabOrs in several towns where the seed of the
Kingdom had been scattered the preceding
year-the result of which has been the gath
ering Of some precious fruits into the gospel
garner and the organization of two churches.
His labors in the services of the society,"
have been confined to Washington & Orange
counties. As far as the agent has proceeded
in them, the re-supply contemplated in the
resolution of last year, Ito place copy of.
the bible in every family in the State, and a
new testament in the hands of every child
under fifteen years Of age who can read i"
has been thoroughly attended to, so that the
counties Of Chittendon, Franklin, Orleans.
Essex, and Washington and part of Orange,
are now supplied-and additional evidence
is furnished at every step, in the progress Of
this work, that this labor of love, of the So
ciety, is greatly needed, and shall not be in
vain, and demands mperatively the carrying
out of the resolution of last year without
delay. No town has been explored without
finding an unexpected number Of families,
either entirely destitute Of Bible, or pos
sessng only the fragments Of one. In one
town, where the agent was assured by those
best qualified to judge, that there was not
family destitute Of a bible in town, sir fam
ilipS in ono school district ware found who