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

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29th l843.
MIR. EDIToR | attended, last evening, highly in
teresting meeting Of the Clergy and Laty 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 mo- 50 full
desirable, but was greatly increased after the
exercises commenced. Among the Ministers of the
Gospel present. were the Rev. Septmus Tuston, John
c. Smith, Mr. Knox, MIR. Laurie, (who acted as
Cbairman,) Mr.. String fellow, Mr. French, MIR.
Beane, MIR. Butler and Bishop McEIvane.
Rev. MIR. STRINcrELLow commenced the exer
clses by few practical remarks in reference TO the
object of the meeting 1t object in which all
professors Of religion should place the highest esti.
mate, and in the iurtherance Of which, they should
mutually contribute their aid. There a wide
field for operation in this city; for, out of twenty
five thousand inhabitants it estimated that fully
fifteen thousand, il not more, without the pale
or the Church, and great number Of these destitute
of the influences of written or preached truth. He
did not rise 10 deliver set address, but merely lay
before the audience the details Of the proposition
and state in what way their object would most likely
NC tuCCitu. nc hOuSNt III Que HuHuTtu ptTsOus OIL
influence and intimate acquaintance with the city,
would volunteer to devote six days in visiting Ten
families day. and endeavor 10 place in their hands
the proposed Volumes the object would be accom-
pshed or, if great number could not be OBJ
taned-if fifty individuals would double their labor
and devote hco weeks TO visiting ten families day
the benevolent object of the Tract Society," and the
Church of this city, would be carried out. lie closed
his Introductory remarks by earnestly desiring the
operation Of all in the work
RrcHARp 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 due, he could not but feel mpclled
by sense of duty, as layman Of the church, TO
urge forward, by every means in his power, the con-
templated project. He could not but remark the
striking similarity that existed between the ganiza
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
ciated with, and have important effect upon, the
People. Separated, they are Inefficient; united, they
are potent Whatever laws are passed by the Le-
gislature; whatever decisions emanate from the
toned by the Executive remain 10 be carried out and
perfected by the will Of the People The same ar
rangement was TO be found in the Church. Without
mutual cooperation Of all its departments its pro-
gress towards good was wholly retarded Clergy and
aity, pastor and people, had each and all duty to
perform and it was not, some enormously thought
upon the Minister alone devolved all responsibility
God forbid that he should disparage the solemn and
responsible station OF the Minister. Ii was his duty
to point out the way, and the duty of the peo-
pie to follow his teachings; and he felt assured that
this occasion presented sphere Of usefulness in
which the laity should heartily engage BY tracts,
the Prii of the Bible was presented TO the reader
and thus was disseminated portions of divine truth
which would probably be neglected in any other
form. Thi. was forcbly illustrated by writer, in
allusion TO the physical world, who stated that The
spherical form Of the earth discovered by an ex-
animation of the stars and other heavenly bodies
The beneficial results Of the enterprise could not be
too highly extoed 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 he felt in offering them
on that occasion, he had not venturcd beyond his
sphere. But hc could not take his seat without ap-
pcaling TO all in behalf Of the cause which he sincere
ly hoped Christians would lend their aid to.
Hon. G.. A. WIcKLrrrE then followed: If hermit
ted, he would offer an apology for speaking on thi,
occasion. lie had not sufficiently turned his aten
ton TO the subject TO be well informed as to the or
ganization OF the American Tract Society but he
wa, well aware and fully appreciated the benef
cia results Of tho volumes and tracts which il has
disseminated through the country he had even seen
the influence of these silent preachers Of truth in the
log cabins of the West. BY perusal of such books
as you propose to distribute, is made to examine