Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-12
For the Spirit { the Age.
Colportage by the American Tract
Society in North Carolina.

FOR Cne 0plflt snS AS0'
Colportage by the American Tract
Society in North Carolina.
Notwithstanding the severe afaiction of
myself and family during almost the whole
of the past quarter, yet have received lib
eral donations for the Tract Cause. have
been made to praise God while confined to
my bed, because of the deep interest shown
this cause by the friends that SO kindly
visited us, which they proved in handing
to me liberal amounts without my solicita-
ton. The people of Raleigh and other
places where Colportage is understood, see
ing that it reaches every creature with the
great+fundamental doetsessss g the Bible,
and that the Holy Spirit is constantly bles-
sing the truth to the conversion Of souls
and the improvement and safety of our
Country, give their donations to its sup
port with cheerful hearts and follow them
with much earnest prayer. And your A
gent, seeing this in the friends from all
churches and classes, is greatly encouraged
to press onward in getting men and money
until every family in North Carolina is vis-
tied and supplied with religious books by
sale, at cost, if able to buy, or by grant if
too poor or too wicked to buy.
The influence of Colportage is seen and
felt in helping to check the reading of
trashy and dangerous literature, as the fol-
lowing remark of Bookseller will lead us
to infer. Said he, am satisfied there is
not half the demand here now for novels
that was two years ago, and the demand
for religious books and other good litera-
ture has greatly increased. This I attrib-
ute in very good degree to your system
Of Colportage.'
It is highly cheering to witness the de-
cided improvement in this part of my field.
Within twenty miles around this City there
are three new churches just completed, and
three others about being built, and it is a
remarkable fact that they are equally divi-
ded between three different denominations
In this same section there was not single
Sabbath School four years ago, now there
, are fourteen in different parts of the coun-
ty, besides the five City Schools. And du-
ring the last quarter upwards of $50 per-
sons have been hopefully converted
God is constantly raising up men in diff
: ferent parts of the State, who are commen-
e cling to do noble work in efectually reach
r ing our poor, ignorant and destitute
! Scores of families have already been visited
by them who never had religious visit
before. By this means hundreds of our
. people, who are now clogs to society, may
!, be made good and useful citizens as is
r osro~ef M-,- O. -~LOaaI. ~lvised moi
# to visit 13 months ago, because of his being
IS in deltriuno trenaens. [ held prayer
IS meeting at. his house, spoke kindly to him
o and got him to attend Sabbath School
n Soon he become interested, gave up hi
5, liquor selling and drinking and at thi
n School, with the aid of his wife, he ha
is learned the alphabet and to spell. He i
IS now good, religious and happy man.
Is To do this work it requires good self
n. sacrificing men, who are willing to labo
le for the usual salary of $3.50. These hum
Or BILE men and the books given away by then
e are to be paid for by money given from tn
es people, as they are not allowed to sell thei
US books at profit. In N c., last year W
ne fell behind supporting our own wor
I'd sl66o 56, which was paid by the peopl
be of Virginia and other States Now | al
tn persuaded that North Carolina will not b
h satisfied for this so to remain. What the
by shall we do this memorable year of gre;
abundance, in helping forward this wor
es- which is helping US constantly and faitl
re fully both for time and eternity? Let I
Of resolve in Gods strength, at least to SUI
all port our own work and pay the defcienc
he of last year. know we have men, an
an ladies too, in North Carolina, Of va
m, wealth, who have noble christian hear
nd and noble patriotic spirits, and appeal
of, you to look to this work carefully, unde
ms stand its principles and objects fully,
es- satisfied Of its merits and claims upon y
and then give accordingly to its support
ish There are some of these persons of wealt
the and wealthy churches, that, probably wou
My be glad to pay the entire salary of G.
rn- porteur, as many do in other States,
lily whom the. Reports of the Colporteur
the sent. One gentleman of our City. has
lci- off in this. How many more will foil,
ing his noble example All contribute
lily may be forwarded to me at Raleigh, or
les. j. Cross, Sup't., Richmond, Va.
the To those who may not have great wor
,ain ly riches, but rich in the faith, havi
Christ to dwell in them, and to all of ev,
ON class, [ appeal to you, likewise, to g
rery your money to the extent of your abili
to for the furtherance of this cause VIII
eff goes everywhere with the one object
me pointing all to Jesus, and teaching VI
,asi- godliness alone and especially give to
A your earnest prayers. Yours truly,
d, is VIM. j. W. CROWDER, Ag't
tage of Am. Tr. Soc for N.
any Raleigh, Sept. l, 1856.
oses prnaarx,