Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-07-27
Colportage in Virginia and N. Carolina

S5,357 IS have been collected for this cause,
and nineteen additional colporteurs commits
stoned in these States since the commence
ment Of the quarter ending June lst seven
agents have closed labor through various
causes.
E~ighty-5oven months and seventeen days
labor are reported, but many of our quarterly
reports are yet due. In Virginia our sales
for the quarter amount to 1921 20 grants,
1854 SO families without religious books
except the Bible, 6lS; do, neglecting preach
ing, 1877 do, without Bible, All meetings
held for preaching and prayer, (many of our
agents are regular preachers 396. Whole
number Of families visited, 1890,
Our sales in North Carolina are 1924 68 !;
grants, Sl35 SO meetings held, GO families
neglecting church, 26S do. destitute of the
Bible, 240. Whole number of families visited,
1865.
Tho Tract cause was never more prosper
Gus in these States than it is at present. Its
silent vet norvarf,l 1T nanne ,eaur -
tho gentle summer rain On the parched plain,
irrigating many a moral waste, and troub-
ling man a guilty sinner, but with Gods
blessing resting on it, it is also q~uieting
awakened consciences by the application of
atoning grace through the Redeemer. 1t
brings JOY to many II pious widows heart as
she reads the books presented by the colpor-
teur, and many a poor Ignorant child now
learns his first lesson in Bible truth at the
newly formed Sabbath School, on the pages
of the little volumes circulated gratuitously
by the Society's colporteurs.
When Jesus was asked by John the Bap-
lists diciples if he was the Christ, he replied,
in giving various signs of his Mesiahship,
And the poor have the gospel preached unto
them So now, over widely spread regions
almost totally unvisited by the living minis.
ter, are installed as freside preachers, in the
cabins of the destitute, Baxter, Bunyan,
Doddridgc, Flavel, and many others, thus
preparing the way for the introduction of the
stated ministry.
No one who has fIith in the word of God
and in the efficacy Of christian effort to save
souls, can doubt that so much Bible truth
scattered abroad In thousands Of habitation,
Of the destitute, accompanied rs it is for tn,
most part with wise Instructions, earnest ex
hortation and fervent prayer, will fail in pro
ducing results that shall cause angels II
rejoice, strengthen the church on earth, an
enlarge the ranks of watchmen on the wall
Of Zion.
The last quarter shows q considerable in
crease, when compared with previous quar-
tiers, in remittances by mail from the friend
of the Society. This token of growing inter
est is thus publicly acknowledged with SINGER
satisfaction.
Were all the pastors in Virginia and Nortl
Carolina, who regard this institution as
great engine Of moral reform, to specify on
Sabbath in each year for the purpose of col
locting the frce-will offerings Of their peopl
10 this object, we could beyond doubt sustain
rs %colporteurs among the destitute give
the poor, annually, $4,000 worth of books
save q large sum now unavoidably expende
by agents in travelling expenses, and sti
not lessen by one dollar our denomination
contributions. On the contrary, they woul
an loubtedly increase, and SO would ou
minister salaries-since it is a we'll estal
liShcd fact, that Just as tho masses of peopl
are brought to fulfil their duty to God, the
lasUe to aid ia every department. of benev
laues increases and no publications in Il
world, except the Bible, so fully enforce tt
dag q sustaining every good work rs thoi
Gl tho Tract Society.
Han;ttancrs made 10y mail viii be adires
e-ta ]. CBoss, Richmond.