The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-13
LOCAL MATTERS.

CoIro.rzua CoSvzsrroS.-Th1dD ay.-This
body re-assembled yesterday morning After
prayer and singing, narratives were resumed, and
sketches of personal experience and colporteur Ia
bor given by Mr. Freeman, of Baltimore and Messrs
Grant, Jett, Mason, and Parsons.
Rev. Mr. Cook one of the Secretaries of the
American Tract Society, then gave full descrip.
ZION of the book establishment of the Tract Society
in New York. Recently the tract house had been
rebuilt and greatly enlarged. Mr.. C. passed high
eulogum upon the fidelity and qualifications of the
employees Of the establishment There were near.
ly three hundred persons engaged in the tract
house Between $50 and 200 females were EN-,
p,oyed in the bndery. These Joined with the males
in prayer meeting at IL o'clock every day, and
had for the las, fifteen years which held for fifteen
minutes. Thus the books of the Society were en-
phatcally bound in prayer. The different depart
ments aud committees were next particularized.
The devoted labors of the Secretary of the Society,"
William A. HalIeck were eloquently sketched by
Mr. C. During sixteen years personal association
with Mr.. H Mr. C. had never seen him have mo
ment of leisure Hearing friend say, on one &C.
casion, that he intended spending some hours in
visiting. Mr.. Fl. said "three solid hours spent in vi
sitting. why must be in another world to do that
He did all each day that he had the strength to do,
and thus enabled to labor SO efficiently in the
work In addition to experimenting the foreign
missionary field, he supervised the publishing de-
partment.
To show the economy of the establishment; and
the benefit of saving small things Mr. C. stated that
for several years the sweepings of the gliding and
apaha Ua md boip IN
sgold beaten IS and pressed, they yielded mass OF
gold worth slla. Every page printed in this estab
ment contained portion of Gods truth The c!at-
ter of the machinery seemed to speak the words,
call for Christ No sectarian purposes had ever
yet been subserved under the roof of this house.
Rev. Mr.. Eastman, of New York, remarked tina!
in vew of the feeble pening and present condition
of the Society, it might kbe saids truly, "Beho!d,
how great a matter little fire kindleth"
Mr.. Tappan, of Boston, would voluntarily state
what, perhaps was not necessary, that this not
money making concern. The members of these
working committees never received cent for their
labors; and the Secretaries and officers of the So
cety received salaries barely sufficient to support
them. They cou Id not amass earthly riches in this
Society, like the officers of railroad and other SO
cieties, but could lay up treasures in heaven.
Rev. Mr.. Cook stated an anecdote to the effect
that persons who would make themselves life-m
bers of the Society, could share in the dividends
(sensatiop) The largest contributors to the Socie
ty in proportion to their means were the members
of the committees who gave SO much of their time
gratutously to advance its interests.
Rev. Mr.. Kien, of Maryland, next made some
encouraging remarks.
On motion, il was ordersd that a copy of Rev
Baron Slows address on Wednesday, be published
by the Society for the use of its colp orteurs ana
agents.
Rev. Mr.. Osborne, colporteur in Chesterfield
county, then made statement of his 1aD5rs Thsre
was great dea! of literary restitution in the coun.
ty. Notwithstanding there church to every
four or five miles Of the county-a Methodist and
10 Baptist ministers, and l Episcopalian, and l
Presbyterian, here was great destituton
igiously. He had found in Manchester eighteen
fanes entirely destitute of the Scriptures In
what was called the yellow Jacket" section, there
was great moral restitution. Sixty families entire.
ly destitute OF the Scriptures, mostly newly mar.
ried. Messrs. T. Ross, Perkins, aud others, .copor
tours in Virginia and other places, then gave details
of their labors.
The committee on public exercises reported that
public meeting would be held in Trinity church
this evening at ~ o'clock. Subject of DISCUSSION
"Chrissisn union and personal effort" Rev. Mr.
Kiilen, of.Maryand, Rev. Mr.. Cook, of New York
Mr.. Cross, of Virginia, and others viii address the
meeting
o'clock this morning.