Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-05-31
American Blble QOcIetv.

American Bible Society.
CyThe following is an extract of the speech
of the Rev Mr. TopD, at the late meeting ofthe
American Bible society, in New York:
"That universal diffusion of the Scriptures
over which the heart exuts. and for which we
pray, has always been dreaded by the powers of
darkness But ever since Moses wrote, the
Scriptures have been the mamma of the Church.
And when deep prosecutions drive her to the
stake, Bishop Latlmer will Gerry the Bible with
him to the flames and the poor blind girl burn
ed at the age of22, will cheer her soul through |
the dark valley Of death, by quoting the Bile !
til the flames chase her spirit up to God and !
when the church is driven into the mountains
AS were the Waldensps-she will carry the
Bible with her to the hills 1t is affecting to
read the history OF those days. and to hear a Ro.
man catholic historian complain in bitter terms
TINT those poor mountalneers used to go ont
in the character ofpedlars, that they might give
away the Word of God secretly. aud thus. as he
says, spread keesy! Long, long before b.
Bile Society was formed or thonght OF, these
Door, pious mei, were up and down the noun
,ains and valleys IN the character Of pedlars, in
order to distribute the Word of God. And am
sure this audience will be willing to hear this
simple story orone Of these glorious though per-
! secuted sa nts :
ooh lady, fair, these silks of mine
Are beautiful and rare;
| The richest web OF the Indian loom,
Which beauty's self might wear
And these pearls pure and mild TO behold,
And with radiant light they vie
have brought them with me weary namc,-
Will my gentle lady buy
"And the lady smiled on the worn old man,
Thro' the dark and clustering curls
Which veiled her brow, and she stoopd to view
His silks and gittcring pearls.
And she placed their price in the old mans hand
And lightly she turned away;
But she paused-at the wanderers earnest call
My gentle lady stay
"Oh lady, fair, have yet a gem,
Which purer lustre filings
Than the diamond flash ofthr ieweled crown,
On tn lofty brow of kings;
A wonderful pearl of exceeding price,
Whose virtues shall not decay;
Whose light shall be as a spell TO thee,
AUda blessing on thy way
"The lady glanced at the mirroring Steel
Where her youthful form was seen,
Where her eyes shone clear and her dark lock
waved,
f Her clasping pearls between
, Bring forth thy pearl of exceeding worth,
Il Thou traveller gray and old;
= And name the price OF thy precious gem,
. And my pages shall count thy gold.
: The cloud went off from the pilgrims brow,
As small and meagre book,
:, Unchased by gold or diamond gem,
From his folding robe he took
Here, lady fair, is the pearl of price
May il prove such TO thee
" Nay, keep thy gold ask it not
! For The mord of God is fre.!"
The hoary traveller went his way
IN But the gift he left behind
$ Hath had its pure and perfect work
IN On the high born maden's mind
And she hath turned from her pride Of sin
nj To the loviness of truth,
H.. And given her human heart 10 God
II la the beauteous hour of youth.
"And she hath left the old gray halls
~, Where an evil faith had power,
ho And the couItly knights other fathers train
,;s And the maidens of her bower;
o., And she hath gone 10 the VaudoIs vale,
-, By lordly feet uhtrod,
Where the poor and the needy OF the earth :
rich
LIE Ia the perfect love of God