The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-11-19
LOCAL MATTERS.


Anerican 7Iact Socisy.--A large and very en-
OF this Society, was held Thursday evening in tb,
lst Baptist Church, under the direction of Mr.. ]
Cross. Superintendent of Coportago in Virgins
and North Carolina, and Rev. Mr.. Sumner one O.
Rev. DIR. Burrows was called to preside assisted
oy Rev Mr.. Kepler, who opened the exercise,
with appropriate prayer. assee
Dr, Burrows stated in few words the object O,
the meeting, and first introduced Mr. Cross who
read portion Of the last annual Report of Copor
tage in Virginia and North Carolina and also sv
noposis of the reports for the six months ending
tne first OF September, portion only of which we
give, as showing at glance the great value of the
Society's operations in Virginia:
Number of colporteurs now laboring in the State
%; vaue of books granted, Sl445 81; number OF
pubic meetings addressed and prayer meetings
hgd, $40; number OF families visited. destitute OF
al regioHs books except the Bible. 94l; number of
families visited destitute of the Bible $780, number
sf families who habifually neglect attending evan.
geical preaching, lll6; number of families con.
versed with on personal religion or prayed with.
sOf9; whole number of families visited In six
months, 1861
Mr. Cross made other deeply interesting state
ments and narratives of personal observation of
the benign influence of the labors of colporteurs in
the destitute parts Of the State.
Rev. Mr. Spear, President of the South Carolina
Tract Society, was then introduced, and gave first
an interesting statement of the operations of the
Society in that State and particularly of the good
effects of the to Coportour Convention in Charles.
tom on the citizens of that place He stated among
other pleasing evidences, the fact, that q wealthy
retired merchant of that city had devoted his whole
time entirely to the cause, and is the Superin-
tendent of Colportage in South Carolina and Geor-
gia, devotng not only his time bnt considerable
portion of his means to the promotion of its great
designs.
He also gave an account of an extensive tour
made by himself in connection with of the se
cretares OF the Parent Society in the South and
Southwest as far as New Orleans-he spoke of
the great interest manifested everywhere In the
tract cause, and the desire of the people to have
colporteurs laboring in their several states, and
also OF large meeting held in Savannah
which was addressed by Bishop Elliott and Judge
Berrlen, each of whom approved and advocated the
claims of the cause, Judge B. urging eoportage as
the thing best suited and most needed for the mo-
raj religious and educational wants of the South
Mr.. Spear said that the Tract Society was in
truth the cause of the Bible; of Missions, nasmuch
as it contributed largely of its publications for the
hcathen; of education, bccauscit taught the chill.
dren to read and gave them suitable literature;
and of Sabbath schools, as its colporteurs were
instrumental in forming and keeping alive these
useful institutions. He also, in conclusion, alluded
to the fact that congregation of converted Sand
wich Islanders, who having seen and read at their
own Island the journal of one of tho Va copc reurs
were 30 deeply interested as to pay portion of the
salary of that colporteur, who is laboring in one
of the large towns of State and that in eleven
years, colportage in Virginia had cost the Parent
Society, S27, 600 more than the amount subscribed
in the State Is it not worth to the State infinitely
more than it COSTS
The meeting was further addressed by Rev. Mr.
Peterkin, who made an eloquent and earnest ap-
peal in behalf of the cause the ground of its
adaptation to the wants of the ignorant and desti-
tute all around us-eyen in our own city, and
throughout our widely extended country In his
pastoral labors in Richmond, he had visited desti-
tue family, and read to them portion of the Cos
pei of Luke which they admired for its beauty
saying that they had never heard it before He
said that the Christians of this community had the
power and wealth to make this city what they wish
ell it TO be- and urged with peculiar force aud unc-
ton the great truth and design of God that hu
man as well AZ divine agency is demanded for the
diffusion of the truth and the conversion of the
world TO Christianity. He said that it great
thing indeed to circulate the printed Bible and good
book, but Christians, too, must have the truth
printed their hearts, and be living epstles
known and read of all men,
Rev. DIR. Edwards, in conclusion spoke of the
good which might be done by one little tract and
gave exceedingly graphic and eloquent recitals of
facts, showing how, in own State such little
messengers of truth had been the means of con-
vertng the souls of men and reforming whole
communities. He loved the tract society because
it united all christians common platform He
would unite with any denomination of Christians
to do good He would be mean and deSpicabe
soul who, if neighbor's house were on fire, in
stead of helping to stop the fame should be peep
ing around to see the name of the engine which
might be pouring its stream Of water on the raging
fire.
DR. Burrows closed with few remarks, sympa-
thizing with the spirit of Dr. Edwards appeals for
Christian union.
Rev Mr. Ledoux pronounced the bic ss' 'ng and
thus closed glorious meeting for the tract cause.
Handsome AWnrd.--At the late Fair of the Me
chanics Institute, a number of ladies' sent in the
products of their skill and industry for exhibition
not for competition-and thereby aided in creating
a variety that could not otherwise have been Oh
tained. Among this class of contributions, we
noticed case of articles deposited by Mrs Wiley,
of this city consisting of specimens of fine arts
fine regalias of the order of Odd Fellows gilded
and painted in oil upon white satin, of correct de-
signs and brilliancy of coloring; Masonic chart
one landscape painting of Mount Vernon and pen
manship combined; one Shephcrdess of the Alps;
and seventeen pieces of painting composed of flow
ers, shells landscapes and medicinal plants copied
from nature.
In the various styles of embro derry were two
National American Smoking Caps and two pairs of
National Americana Slippers wrought in new and
superior STYLE with beads and silk embroidery to
correspond on velvet; ladys velvet apron in
worsted work. two winter stocks of black satin rich
material and very neatly made up; and many other
articles, all of which reflect great credit upon the
lady manufacturer, and for which the President OF
the Institute awarded her very fine gold article
of superior workmanship and pertaining to la.
dys work box. ..
Sudden ELopcment-Our neighbors of Manches
ter have undergone no little excitement within the
past ten days, occasioned by the sudden disappear
ance from their midst of married lady and single
gentleman, who had taken French leave for parts
unknown The madam, understand has
left her husband and a very interesting child
When last heard from, the loving couple were on
the cars, vending their way South, the lady with
two thick wells over her face disguise, and
her gallant companion using various unsuccessful
dey . " to prevent his recognition.
False Alarms.-The tiremen of the city owe it to
their own comfort, well as TO the quiet of the
remainder of the community, to detect those per
sons who are nightly in the habit of giving false
alarms of fire. and VIC are gratfed to learn that
many of them have resolved to do so and bring
them to punishment at all hazards. Last Friday
night there were not less than four false alarms
occasionng vast deal of labor to the firemen as
well as annoyance to our citizens, and yet no ono
could tell the origin of the alarms,
Goose Case Henry Wilson, indicted for receiv-
Ing stolen geese knowing them to have been sto
len, was called before the Hastings Court last Sat
urday and his trial postponed until the next term
Disposed of-The Hastings Court have ordered
note prosegui TO be entered in the case of Eman
uel Semon, indicted for assaultng S. =. Clarke
Aldermen Sanxay, Butler and Bray voting in the
Affirmative and Alderman Toler in the negative