Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-29
From the Religious Herald.
ColportaOe In Virginia and North Carolina.

C0lDOrtaRe In t1Stulh UnQ MOTH OoIO1lna,
S2.357 IS have been collected for this cause,
and l9 additional coporteurs commissioned in
these States, while 7 of our agents have closed
their labors during the last quarter-S7 months
and IL days. labor are reported, but many Of oul
quarterly reports are yet due.
The sales of books in Virginia amount to g.
27l 90. Grants 1854 80. In North Carolina to
1924 6S. Grants $l35 33. Whole amount Of
sales s., 1896 OF of Grants, 500 l6. In Virgin
ia Gig families are reported destitute of religious
books except the Bible, and Al destitute of the
Bible. 737 habitually neglect preaching. Meet
ings held by colpOrteurs, many of whom are prea-
chers, 1885, Whole number of families visited,
1890. Tn North Carolina 60 meetings were
held. Families neglectng church, 26S-families
destitute of the Bible, 249. Whole number visited,
1865.
The tract cause was never more prosperous in
these States than it is at present It's silelent,yet
powerful influence, fails like dew or the gentle
summer rain, on the parched plain, irrgating ma
nv moral waste, and troubling many guilty
sinner, but with Gods blessing resting on it, it is
also quoting awakened cousciences by the appli-
cation Of atoning grace through the Redeemer.--
1t is bringing joy to the hearts of many plous Wild
ows, as they read the good books given by the a
gents, and many poor ignorant child takes his
first lession in Bible truth, in the newly-formed
Sabbath school from the little volumes circulated
gratuitousy by the colporteur. When Jesus was
asked by Johns disciples if he was the Christ, he
replied, among various signs given of his Messiah
ship" And the poor have the gospel preached I'M
to them"
So now, over widely-spread regions, almost to-
tally unysited by the living minister, ARE installed
as fre-side preachers Baxter, Runyan. Dodd-
ridge and a host of others, thus preparing the way
for stated ministry. .f
Noone who has faith in the word Of God, and
the efficiency Of Christian effort to save SOULS can
doubt that so much Bible truth cast into thousands
of the habitations Of the destitute, accompanied as
it mostly is, by wise counsel, earnest exhortat0n
and feaYeat prayer, will fail in producing results
which will make angels rejoice, strengthen the
church on earth, and enlarge the rankes OF watch
men on the walls Of Zion.
The last quarter shows an increase in conlrlbu-
tons by mail from friends of the cause. This TO-
ken of growing interest is thus publicly acknowl-
edged with sincere satisfaction. Were all the
pastors in Virginia and North Carolina who regard
this institution as great engine OF moral reform,
to specify Sabbath in each year for the purpose
Of collecting the free-wil offerings Of their people
to this object. we could, beyond doubt sustain IS
colporteurs in destitute places, give $4,000 worth
of books to the poor, save large sums now unavod-
ably expended on travelling by agents,and yet not
lessen by single dollar, our contributions to de-
nominationai purposes On the contrary, they
would increase, and so would our ministers sala-
ries, since it is well-esablished fact that just
the masses of people are brought to fulfil their
duty to God, their desire to aid in every depart
ment of benevolence increases-and no publica
tons in the world, the Bible excepted, 50 fully
enforce the duty of sustaining every good work as
those of the Tract Society.
Remittances by mail, will be addressed to
J. CROSS, Richmond.