The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-07-23
Minnesota Bible Society.

The anniversary of this Society took place at
the Methodist Church, on Sunday evening, July
II. Short addresses were made by the Presi-
dent Of the Society, the Agent, and other gen.
tlemen. The officers of the past year were re.
elected. By request of the Executive Commit
tee the following reports Of the Secretary and
Treasurer were prepared for publication
sECRErARY's REPORT.
The past year has been full of interest. not
only to the friends of the Bible in Minnesota,
but throughout the civilized world
The late speeches of noble lords in the Par
Lament House Of Britain, and Of American
statesmen in the Senate Chamber at Washing
ton, are of deep significance. They declare the
sentiment that those in authority, who deny
the privilege of reading the Scriptures to the
least of Cbrist's flock, offend enlightened Christ
endom ; and that if they continue to persist in
the attempt to shackle the conscience, 4" it were
better for them that milestone were hanged
about their necks, and that they were drowned
in the depth of the sea-
Superstition and inidclity have trampcd over
the land, cndeavoring to dishonor the Sacred
Word, but the attempt to bring it into disre-
pute has only caused the affections Of the COM
munity to cling more closely.
The convention of pretended seers at Hart
ford, during the present summer, has been a
confirmation strong as proof of Holy Writ"
that though men may profess to have an inspir-
alton akin to that of the prophets and apostles,
when assembled together they wholly fail rex
hibit their poetry, ecstacy, or common sense,
and in dignity fall far below the PandemOnium
of Milton.
In our own Territory there may be a few who
recognize the inspiration of an Emerson, Or the
author of the Great Harmonic, and believe
that they are on the eve of a new era. when the
old legends of Moses and the tale about one
Joshua of Bethlehem will be only read as
pleasant allegories, such as are in the Arabian
Nights Entertainment.
There may he also few who are faithless
concerning the revelations of the Holy Scrip
lures, and have placed implicit confidence in
the mystic mutterings of some one of the same
sex as the Witch of Endor, but the great mass
of our citizens look upon the Bible not only as
the infalible rule of faith and practice, but con-
slider its free circulation, without note or conf
ment, as intimately connected with the preser-
walton of our national liberties.
Though there has been no action upon the
part of the Trustees of the Public Schools. the
Bible has been read as a devotional exercise in
the majority Of them, and has been agreeable to
those directly interested. The Trcasurers re-
port. which is appended shows a hcalthful state
of affairs. The Presbyterian mission churches
at Oak Grove and Lac-qu-Parle in the Dakota
country. still continue their contributions. In
relation to them it may be said, :. Moreover,
brethren. we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. how
that in a great trial of ailiction, the abundance
of their joy. and their deep poverty, abonnded
unto the riches of their liberality, for to their
power l bear record, yea, and beyond their
power. without the vsis of any one to stir up
their pure minds by way Of remembrance"
:" they uere uiling Of themseires, praying us
with much entreaty to receive the gift
L. ID. NELL,
Secretary.