The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-30


ting men 70 think, 10 commence that great work.
lie thought the gsasrsl distribution of those books in
families whose opportunities of Christian INSTRUCTION
had been limited, would be the first step thousands to
entering the house Of prayer de supposed f,om the
remarks which had fallen from The Rev Pastor who
introduced these proceedings, that the appointments
10 this highly honorable duty were TO be confined to
the males. Now twas very common remark, that
If there is any mischief brewing, is sure to be
at the bottom Of it. For his part he believed it
rather libel upon the farer portion Of creation
he had no confidence whatever in the truth Of the
aphorism If there be any good to be done, you
trust il to no better hands than those of Some
of the purest and best writings extant owe their
stence 10 woman--the volume containing which l
recommend as far more worthy of notice than the
mysteries of Paris, and great portion of the popu
lar literature Of the day. allude to the writings of
HANNAH MORE. Let the public taste turn upon such
works as these, and you will soon effect the object
proposed. 1t is no money making scheme that is
presented, but one calculated TO accomplish vast
amount of good in the moral world. They are sold,
as understand, for the simple cost Of publishing
nay, the benevolcnce Of the design does not stop
here; for when families are visited who are un-
able to purchase these tracts and books, they
are gipen Had The plan been money-makng one,
could it have done the good it has' Thc Hon. gen.
teman here read beautiful extract from one of the
bound volumes which he held in his hand, which is
not recollected These arc the principles incul-
Gated, and none others. Having been personally no.
tiled Of this meeting, and been fully appraised Of lis
benevolent purpose, could not have stayed away il
lad ~ Her. 10 a. L--I
truths, which all Jew and Gentile--may unite in
proclaimng; and wish. instead of disunion we
were undivided, that We might conc up as one
united host against the walls of nfdey then its
high places would fall. No one will do me the van.
~ TO suppose that expected to make speech, but to
give the community sincerely my views, and to lend
my aid in distributing these books, which should be
neglecting my duty to Christ to refuse. How is this
to be done' Wholly by gentlemen' Sir allow me
to suggest. am not much acquainted with the usage
in such matters but perhaps my position taught me
the advantage Of competition. You possibly aware
that am much accustomed to the letting of mail con-
tracts The Rev. Chairman has proposed the ap-
pointment of fifty or sixty agents for this work
Now cannot take my seat without making very
important suggestion. believe that woman VIII
do as much in one week will in one month.
therefore, propose committee of i,ceny ladies' as
an-"oPPOsITIoN LINE"
The Rev. John c. Smith being next called on rose
and said: If it were appropriate, he would permit
his lips to utter the prayer which filled his heart and
which he had inaudiby given utterance TO while on
his seat-for the success of their enterprise If the
Kentucky G lawyer, who suppressed the desecration
ha hath Inv
be with u.s. we certainly may congratulate ourselves
and look up. Many regard the American Tract
Society separate and distinct from the church,
No. 1t is emphaticaly society, and much of the
labor connected with it is done by US. Something
has been said about sectarans and far as the term
is applied to the Presbyterian denomination of Chris
tans, am sectarian. But the American Tract So
ciety is composed of all sects-t is free. / could
hardly tell the names Of the sects which compose it,
Its object is simply the spread Of Christian truth
How shall We calculate; | should like to hear the
estimate repeated which my reverend brother made
TINS evenings but you all recollect it. think with
willing minds the object can be effected Can
a sufficient number be obtained | think we
have more than enough here If we eau even
get twelve competent and interested persons,
fear no opposition; could then, probably effect
glorious results. | suppose if these were boxes of
jewels, which we could obtain on condition OF dis
iributing all over and above our wants, we would
have no want of alacrity in the task. These are
Jewels, precious jewels, which all can have by help
ing themselves. If we understand the value, we
shall not want motive. | rejoice TO gee these here,
though there are some absent Baxter, Paison, and
Nevins have come, aud host of others. We shall
see their faces no more, but we may read lhcr mind;
Dusio DUST ashes TO ashes !" but each one though
dead, yet spesketh." Rejoice in their memory We
want agents TO introduce such as Leigh Richmond,
as Wherefore they can't 60 by themselves gold
cannot buy the friendship Of such men-but we can
all go-the aged and the young, the rich well as
the poor may be engaged many OF them were plain
and simple men, but they were nevertheless good
VIII we introduce these men, Some term it mo-
ney-making scheme-but you cannot trample il
down. BY report made time since, however.
their sales and two per cent. below cost on
the bound volumes There's John Bunyan, too
among them. ] remember how used TO read that
curious dream of his when boy Mr.. S. here sp-
piled circumstance mentioned in the Bible, which
enthusiastically remembered and therefore omitted
one are too old, none too young 10 unite in this
good work none too high or too low; the race
is not always 10 the swift nor the battle to the strong
Washington shall witness blessing from the result
of our labors.
Bishop McELvASr then followed in strain of
great earnestness. He said 1t is always agreeable
to me to lend my feeble powers 10 the urtberanoe of
this cause. An mputation had been east upon the
American Tract Society, that it has been general in
IFS organization, and in consequence Of the frequent
changes of IFS publishing committee, its tracts have
been the medium, at times, of doctrines calculated to
have an injurious tendency. have never, never
seen reason for this imputatiop | was one Of the
founders Of that society, and have frequently been
counselled with by the publishing committee prepar-
atory to its issues. have also been applied to to
write tracts. Go TO their shelves--you can find no.
thing 10 which can object they arc all LA ha-