The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-05-15
The DAILY DISPATCH
RELIGIOUS ANNIVERSARIES

| ',nue our account of the very inter-
'suns anniversaries of the various national
anu fengious anniversaries being held in New
York City. 'o'0 ~ i'e"
| AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CHRt.r,,xIr.
The third anniversary of this ns,;,,,;on ,os ,'.s
held luesday morning. The Treasurer,s -.
| port was read, showing that the recents ;n,o
the Treasury during the past year amonn,ed
| to $3.50, and the expenditures dur;ng ,ba
same period were $54, ,644. In addition 70 ,be
above expenditures and receipts-of the $40.
0OO which appeared in the last Annual Report.
as advanced by the members Of the Board in
anticipation Of assets, se,30S GA have been
| paid, and the balance provided for out of the
Legacy Fund in the hand of the Treasurer
Also. that the sum of $1l 500, which was col
lected by the Rev. L. PLATTE, has been remit
| ted by the Treasurer to the Evangelical Socie.
| ty of France, lat Paris J which Society is now
! united with the American and Foreign Chris
| tian Union in its work in France. Credits have
| been forwarded to missionaries to the amount
| OF S4,3ll, which amount does not appear in
| the Report, but for pay yment of which provision
was made.
AMERICAN TRACT SocIETY.-The 29th An
| nversary of this Society took place on We'd
| nesday last The past year, has been one of
great prosperity. New Publications 90. Re-
ceipts $342, ,858.93. Expenditures $342, l99. 10.
The whole number of colpoteurs has been 643.
The Rev. DIR. Doggett, editor of the South
ern Methodist Quarterly, Richmond, Va, {,
spoke to the following resolution:
ResOlced, That while the Society rejoice in
the efficiency of all kindred institutions and
boards, and especially of the divine authorised
minisiry-the widespread destitution and me-
gleet OF the means of grace, the prevalence of
destructive error, and the rapid increase of for
eign emigration. urgently call for the prompt
extension of Colportage to our unevangelizsd
population of every tongue.
| Christianity was the only true unit-based
| upon the unity Of the Godhead; but the infGen-
ces OF Christianity are not units; there are nu.
'nerous instrumentalities providedby God for
the carrying on his work. There is wisdom
and there is divine beauty, in this arrangement.
| lhe n iltplled tnstrumentalitles OF Christiani-
ty are all radiant with the beauties of the cross
and blending their tints into the apocalyptc
| rainbow, around the throne Of God. OfaIl
| these agencies the speaker would speak par
| tIcularly ofthe press, as powerful instrumen-
| tally tor the accomplishment of the great OBJ
Iects had in view by this and similar societies.
| There is a mechanical power in the Press.
! AS mere engine of ply sicaI power it may be
| surpassed, but as a contrivanCe for the accom-
pnshment OF pnrpose it cannot be. And
what vastmanual power is concentrated upon
the conduct OF the physical energies Of the
| ffess. And there ls vast mental power in
the Pfess, at the present day. Minds of all
| orders are combined upon il; philosophers,
poets aud inlbeciles. Suppose the Press were
one mind, what great mind it would be. And
then there is the psychological power of the
Fress, that sets men to thinking. Ii is the
greatest machine, and better calculated to ex.
ert large influence, than any other in the
world 1t comes in contact with such myriads
OF minds. But it is not the machine, but the
momentum with which it is brought into con-
tact with mind. 1t is in developing this the press
is now employed. How does the press produce
this electric effect on the mind. WHAT'S the
printed page? A few conventional signs in
printers ink, but which brought in contact
with mind produces action, as surely as the
wheel moves when the water is thrown uponit,
putting into action vast machinery.
| And the Press possesses great moral pow
er, an influence over the moral nature OF man.
kind especially for evil to corrupt, to poi.
lutte, to debauch the moral sentiment, and a
Press appropriated 10 evil finds corresponding
tendencies in the heart of man. And the Speak
er dwelt on the wide circulation Of evil books
aud pictures, as having most deleterious in.
huence upon the community. lie was very
| severe on the authors, publishers and editors
| engaged in such and similar enterprises
| Lastly, the Press was powerful forlgood-for
| II does not belong to the Devil. 1t was de-
signed tor the Church and the, cause of God,
and il should be rescued from the evil tenden.
| cies to its good on-s. The Press must and
| will do good. Ii has hold on mans natural
reason. Ii has as great capacity for good as
tor evil. The mind ofman has q receptiylty
of good influences, which renders the Press a
favorable instrumentality TO reach it. II then
showed that one of the best offices of the
Press is the circulation OF tracts.