The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-30
OF THE .MaDIsONLaN:

WAsmsGTos, Nov 29th, ,S43.
Mr.. Error | attended, last evening, highly in
terestng meeting Of the Clergy and Laiiy of the diff
ferent denominations Of Christians of this city, as
sembled for the purpose of distributing the bound
volumes Of the American Tract Society among the
numerous families of the city, by the appointment Of
voluntary agents. The representation was moi 50 full
desirable but greatly increased after the
exercises commenced Among the Ministers Of the
Gospel present, were the Rev. Septmus Tuston John
c. Smith, Mr.. Knox, Mr.. Laurie, (who acted as
Chairmau,) Mr.. Stringiellow, Mr. French, Mr..
Became, Mr.. Butler and Bishop McElvaine.
Rev. MIR. STRTNGFELLow commenced the exer-
cises by few practical remarks in reference to the
object Of the meeting. 1t was object in which all
professors Of religion should place the highest esti
mate, and in The iurthcrance Of which, they should
mutually contribute their aid. There was a wide
five thousand inhabitants it was estimated that fully
fifteen thousand, if not more, were without the pale
Of the influences Of written or preached truth He
did not rise 10 deliver set address, but merely to lay
before the audience the details of the proposition
and state in what way their object would likely
be effected. He thought, if one hundred persons OF
influence and intimate acquaintance with the city,
would volunteer 10 devote six days in visiting ten
families day, and endeayor 10 place in their hands
the proposed volumes, the object would be accom-.
pllshed or, n so great number could not be OBJ
tained-if fifty individuals would double their labor,
and devote t,ro weeks to visiting ten families day,
the benevolent object of the Trat, Society, and the
Church of this city, would be carried out He closed
rLoh x. A..
operation of all in the work
RICHARD s. CoxE, Esq, then rose, and made few
brief, but pertinent remarks He knew not whether
to offer an apology for addressing them on subject
so vitality connected with religion. Whether or not
this apology was due he could not but feel impelled
by sense Of duty, a layman OF The church. TO
urge forward by every means in his power the con-
tempated project lie could not but remark the
striking similarity that existed between the orgauiza-
ton OF the Church and the Government Of our coun.
Try In respect TO the latter the acts Of the Execu-
tive, Legislative and Judiciary were intimately asso-
eiaied with, and have an important effect upon the
People Separated, they are inefficient united, they
are potent Whatever laws are passed by the lie.
gisaturc; whatever decisions emanate from the
Judges Of our Courts; whatever measures are sane
toned by the Executive, remain to be carried out and
perfected by the will Of the Peopc. I he same ar.
rangement was to be found in the Church. Without
a mutual cooperation OF all its departments is pro-
gress towards good was wholly retarded Clergyand
laity, pastor and people had each and all duir to
perform and twas not some enormously thought
upon the Minister alone devolved all responsibility
God forbid that he should dsparage the solemn and
responsible station Of the Minister IL was his doty
to point out the way, and II was the duty Of the peo
pie to follow his teachings and he felt assured that
this occasion presented a sphere of usefulness in
which The lalty should heartily engage BY tracts,
the Trh OF the Bible was presented 10 the reader.
and thus was disseminated portions of divine truth
which would probably be neglected in any other
form. This was forcibly illustrated by writer. in
alIuslon TO the physical world, who stated that the
spherical form Of the earth was discovered by an
animation Of the stars and other heavenly bodie,
The beneficial results Of the enterprise could not ne
Too highly extolled for by IL thousands of families
have been elevated and blessed, whose first and only
beam Of light in their darkness was reflected from
The Christian religion. No apology was needed for
The remarks he had offered as he felt in Offering tbcr
On that occasion, he had not venturcd beyond his
sphere But he could not take his seat without an
'ealihg TO all IN behalf Of the cause, which he sincere
y hoped Christians would lend their aid to.
Hon. c. a WIcwLrrr then followed II permit.
cd, he would offer an apology for speaking on hi.
occasion. lie had not sufficiently turned his aten.
ION to the subject to be well informed as TO the or
anization Of the American Tract Society but he
vas well aware and fully appreciated tho bcpe6
isl results OF the volumes and tracts which il ba,
rsemina'cd through the country he had even seen
ne influence Of these silent preachers Of truth in the
q eao'"' OF The West BY perusal Of such book. .
you propose to distribute man is made to exsmip,