The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-03-20

There is bat little difference OF opinion
in this section of country as 10 the propri.
ETY. of every individuals possessing copy
of the holy Scriptures; some persons how
ever, have doubts as to the necessity Of
Bible Societies, for the attainment of this
end believing Bibles can be obtained by
all, through the common channels OF trade,
as articles of merchandise. To understand
this subject correctly we should make our.
selves acquainted with a series of facts IN
the history Of Bible operations. Among
the most prominent Of these We may con-
slider the following:
First. The price Of Bibles has been re-
duced TO their present low rate, mainly by
the American Bible Society. This noble
institution has published them IN such
numbers and on such accommodating terms
that no private establishment could com.
pete with it. The price Of the cheapest
Bible is twenty fire cents, and that OF IT'S
lowest Testament sir and one fourth. Two
years ago they cost double these amounts
five years ago they were considered
cheap al four times these amounts. Thus
We may trace back the cost of Bibles 10 a
period when a good copy cost fortune
This delightful change, | repeat, has been
effected mainly by Bible Societies and
common Justice requires that they should
have credit for their share Of influence ~
bringing il about.
We may date the commencement OF b.
bic Society operations forty years back; and
since that time more Bibles have been
published than had been during two hun.
dred preceding years. The American BI'
b.e Society publishes some tu0 thousand
per dog, aud lis speed is increasing viii
the gradual increase Of lis patronage nc
vet there is growing demand ioI the 81
cred Records How can this growing de
mand ever be met, without the aid Of Bible
Societies The annual increase Of popu
aton in the United States alone, is more
than eight hundred thousand, and yet il i:
believed that the whole number OF Bible:
and Tcstamcnts published in this country
does no, exceed some strta hknGrtd thou
sand,
Ii we are not sufficiently impressed viii
this great and rapidly increasing dcmdnt
for tie word Of God, in this growing Re
public, let US glance al the thousands o
heather, who have it not, and never vii
have il, unless il be sent to them by those
10 whom God has committed It, as sa
cred trust. The Bible is revelation from
God TO mcn-to all men and the success
Of Bible Societies in sendng this incstlma,
bic treasure 10 heather nations, and to
scattered Jews, translated into their varl'
Gus dialects, Is an argument in favor Of TIC
Bible cause which must have great weigh
with all rejecting minds. The Bible ha
been translated, by the funds Of Bible So
cieties into some tro hundred d'teren
languages When would such resuI
have been effected in the regular course q
trade What mercantile houses or prin
ing establishments would ever think {
tganslatlng Bibles into SO many tongue
y merely for tie privilege OF giving most
them awsy
Another consideration in the series
s. facts which must not be overlooked in e.
lmating the importance Of Bible Soclt
ties, is the hundreds Of thousands OF Bible
and Tcslaments which are given by thes
benevolent institutions TO the pennies
widow, the destitute orphan, the marine
n on the high seas, the soldier in the arm!
and the dreary prisoner IN solitary cor
fiaement. How long would these poor in
mortals have to wait for Gods own blesse
word, ere they would receive that gift 81
the regular course Of trade p Surely tho;
l. who oppose or even withhold their suppo
II from Bible Societies know not what tho
% do.
THOS. SPRINGFIELD,
/. Agent of the American Bible ISociciy.