Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-01-02
From the Petersburg Intelligencer.
Bible Presentation.

At the close of the argument fol the pros
ecution in the case of Dir. VIM. A. Smith,
the Rev. George w. Chaslsan announced to
the audience that the ladies and gentlemen
of Petersburg desired to have an interview
with the Rev. DR.. Charles F.. Deems in the
basement Of the Church. In Il few moments
a dense crowd assembled. The Rev. DIR.
Deems was called forward, and when he APP
preached the pulpit, the Rev. Mr.. uehln, be-
ing thus deputed, stated that be acted In be-
half Of q large number Of ladies' and gentle
men who had attended this trial. and in their
behalf desired to present the Doctor with an
eleg nut copy Of the Bible. TAe superb vol.
ume WAS held in the hands Of the speaker
while be made u few very chaste and perth
nent remarks, closing with saying that it
gave him pleasure to act inthis capacity, be-
cause he knew him-knew him welI-and
could appreciate his character and position.
In response Dr.. Deems said that it might
be easy to meet the enemy In the gate-it
was part Of q mans ordinary life to pass
through conflicts but to meet such an Incl
dent under such circumstances unnamed
him. That concluding a prosecution to
which he believed he had been i'm PEELED by
very high motives, and which he had endea-
vored to conduct as a gentleman anda clergy
man, but which had been q very great con-
llCG, 1t was EOOu anu DetOtiluI Ill his IfleDUS
to think that it would be delightful tor him
to repose his heart upon the Word Of God
He alluded to the beauty and value of the
Book, and the inestlmabte value Of its con
tents. Whatever might be the decision o.
the ecclesiastical jury in regard to the ease
pending, the ~peopIe-the great outside-hac
by this act rendered a verdict which would
ever be dear to the speaker. There was Il
lovely wife ana three dear children awaiting
his return to his home, and when they shUul;
ask him what the result Of the conflict was
he would lay that rich and costly volume be
fore them /; and in after years, when he min
istered at the altar in his house, as he turned
the blessed pages over, he would love ana
pray for the generous and thoughtful donors
He said, we shall be before a tri unal, wher
all secrets shall be revealed, and wllateve
clouds had been gathered about him, he ex
pected to stand right when there. lie con
cluded with a benediction, and d large mum
Der of his friends accom- panied him from tn
church.
When Dr.. Dsems coRludsd his eloquen
and pathetic remarks nearly every lady an
gentleman present were in tears. All til
ladies focked around him, eager to grasp b
hand. This demonstration of regard for tt
speaker was so unexpected and SO fervel
that he was also affected to tears. He r
marked to those present that he was believe
at home, but he did not expect such an exh
bition Of feeling for him here. The seer
was a most affecting one.
The following was written in the hy-le
Of the Bible presented to DR.. Deems:
Rev. Charles T. Deems d. D.:--Acce
the Holy Bible as a token Of esteem and {
fiction. May a good and merciful God loI
I spare your life, and may you continue to
+ as YOU have been, a faithful and able ezpou
: der and defender of It's sacred truths al
may it ever be a lamp unto thy path and
t light unto thy pathway, guiding thee
Heaven, is the sincere prayer Of
I THE GIVERS.
Petersburg, Va, Dec. 18th, 1855.
, The following is a copy of the note addrt
sed by the donors to the Rev. Mr.. He'll
requesting him to present the sacred volul
to DR.. Deems:
Rev. r. L. HEFLIN-Dear Sir We "
be obliged to you to present the aecomplr
ing Bible to Rev. DIR. G. T. DEENs. as q tok
of the sincere regard and unGttered appree
ton of his high position as a Christian NJ
lister, and judging you to beone best acqua
: ted with his qualities of mind and hea
re have taken the liberty of requesting you
be the medium for those of his own fliel
N among the young ladies and gentlemen
our city