The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-04-07

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| ance.
In tho sbsenoe of the venersbls and esteemed
| President. Rev. Philip Courtney, Kew. GEORGE
Woodbridge. LIST Vice President, presided. The
exeycsss were opened with the reading of the 18th
| Palm. PRAYER followed by the Rev J Turner.
| Tb. shs,rsct of the annual report was then read
nv r B Minor, Esq, one of the members of the
BOARD of Managers. The report, at the outset, al.
luded in appropriate and affecting terms to the
death Of Rev Stephen Taylor, one of the most
useful and valued members of the Society, who
had been called to his heavenly reward during the
past year. Reference was next made to the exten.
sive field Of labor now occupied by the Society,
and the necessity of continuous unremitting and
augmented exertions particularly inculcated
The beneficial effects of Bible distribution were
clearly exhibited and the moral restitution of va.
rious sections of Virginia, especially in the West
ern part, feelingly portrayed; in one OF the west
ern counties alone one half of the families, upon
visit, were found destitute of the word of God
The report spoke in favorable terms of the pro.
gress of the work hitherto. 1t was true, that du.
ring the past year, ministers and laymen in differ
ent counties had not aided the Society to the ex-
tent which it was desirable they shou!d-and in
sOule Cdees entlIe4y oFeIIOOkSO lls cialms-nt-
vertheess its labors had been blessed, appreciated
aud festered. 1t was to be hoped that those who
stood aloof would yet come ia an aid in the work,
the blessed work, of disseminating the Bible that
embodied the purest morality, politics, philosophy
and religion. During the year just closed the
operations of the Society had been carried on by
two general agents, one in Eastern, the other in
Western Virginia, assisted by thirteen distributing
agents. The duties of these officers had been gene.
rally discharged in a satisfactory manner; they re.
ceived donations visited families and supplied the
Scriptures to such as were destitute of them. The
greatest scriptural destituton was found TO exist
along the lines of internal Improvement, where
constant accessions by the emigration of laborers
and others were being made to the resident popu
laton. The report strenuousy urged upon the
citizens of Richmond the duty of aiding literally
70 supply with the Scriptures this population, thus
drawn into the State. Sketches of coporteur labor
close the report. The Recording Secretary, Geo
N. Johnson, then read some extracts from the re
cord of the operations of the Depository in this
city during the past year. 1t appeared that, du-
Bng the past year. 1923 Bibles ard 1913 testaments
have been sold and distributed. Value of books
sold and distributed at the Depository 1858 g. col
ections made at the Depository and paid to the
Treasurer, 1885 %; value Of books distributed by
agents, S2486 90; value OF books delivered to life
members, 500 67 making the total value Of ope.
rations s4999 50. This report did not fhow more
than two thirds of the operations of the Society
in the State-as all the Bibles distributed in West
ern Virginia were sent on there directly from New
York; so that, although they came through the So
49, 4 yk, noy
Mr. J also stated that owing to press Of duties
the treasurer 8 report was not ready for presen
tation.
Mr. Thomas c. Tabb, of Norfolk, member of
the Senate, was then introduced to the assembly.
He said that in the case of individual VINO felt
personal vital interest in the subj CT under
sderation, he thought there should be no difficulty
or diffidence experienced in standing up in any
place to bear testimony to the purity and essential
excellence of The holy Scriptures, and of the
sequent obligation devolved upon every christian
and patriot to do what he could to disseminate its
truths to the world. He confessed that he rose
on the presen. occasion, under circumstances Of
peculiar embarrassment, doubling his ability and
conscious of his unprcparedness to instruct
audience SO solemn subject. But it would be
unworthy afsctation in him TO decline the polite
invitation to make few remarks, with which he
had been honored.
He simply desired in those remarks, to bear
humble testimony to the great and benefcent OBJ
jects of this glorious work, and trusted that it
might result in some little good. He was not now
TO be convinced that the chief study of mankind
was man. TIE only proper question was, as to
the means by which that study could be most prof
tably pursued, and that question could be satisac
torily answered by reference TO the most reliable
source of information-the Bible. The Bible was
emphatically the history of man, not only of his
origin but of his constitution, propensities, capaci
ties guilt, degradation and natural condition, and
pointed out the only efectusl means of restoring
him to peace and happiness in this life and in an
eternal state CT existence About this history there
was no shadow of doubt, no embellishments of
fctioI, painting of romance; it was history of
stern, adamantine truths, ilumined with the light
of heaven and sealed with the signe. OF the God Of
Nature-a history that met ready response to its
integrity in the breast of every man wherever
found and of any condition, who was privileged to
hear those solemn truths expounded. This fact
being admitted, concluded the question, that the
Bible was the proper study of mankind. And
conclusion suggested the infinite propriety of send
ing the Bible to every man Of every condition in
life, because Of the unappreciable value Of the
truths it contained, to man. He would not pre-
sumo to invade the sacred province of those whose
time was devoted to the discussion Of the solemn
truths contained in the Bible; such conduct on
| his part would be arrogant and unjustifsble-
Suffice it for him say that it was the duty Of every
philanthropist 10 aid in sending to every human
being destitute OF the word of Ged, copy of that
blessed volume. The only topic for him to insist
upon was, that the Bible offered the only efectual
means for the true and moral elevation of man
This he heartily believed. He would say, that as
patriots only, they had solemn duty to engage i'm
In disseminating the Holy Scriptures. This was a
matter CT State policy. The Scriptures were alone
sufficient for the civilization end government; of
man. Unsafe the possession of property, insecure
the enjoyment Of our rights and privileges, even Of
our lives, without the restraining influences Of the
Boly Bible Danish the Bible frem the earth, and
thick damning darkness would overspread the
lapd-mau would become the barbarian, and wo
man, now his light and pride, would become his de-