Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-06-14
Quarterly Report Of Colportase in N. C..

Gods hand has graciously opened my way, and
J. upheld me through the pleasant tolls Of another
quarter. While trying to perform my duties as
Agent, I am delighted in passing along, also to do
the work ola Colporteur, by going into the houses
Of the poor in the highways and hedges and there
reach the hand of kindness to them, sit with them
on their stools, and together talk about Jesus and
His gospel which is to be preached to the poor then
supply them with books, instruct and pray with
them. In this way during the three months gave
away more than 10000 pages Of printed truth
Whole number of families visited 632, prayed with
400 of them Ga of whom neglected preaching 80
without Gods Word; "a had no religious books
except the Bible and 81 never had religious visit
public prayer before around their iresides, some
of whom had belonged to the church many years.
sons the alphabet in part, and among them were
three parents all of whom promised to continue
learning-in some of the got persons to visit
and instruct them. This humble labor has been
done as travelled through 16 of our counties, in all
of which found much intelligence and piety, many
elegant churches and good ministry: But in ad-
dtion to what l saw in some of these counties,
several intelligent and responsible persons gave me
facts of their own knowledge, showing degree Of
ignorance, restitution, superstition and belief in
witchcra ola highly startling character to the Chris
tian and Patriot. One was Physician of high stan
ding and extensive acquaintance, who told me that
he had good reason to believe that nearly half of
the lower class in his county were in this condition.
Another was prominent clergyman, who informed
me that he spent night With magistrate that had
no religious book except small copy of the New
Testament, which had never been read at all, and
thought it was book which all magistrates were
furnished with, simply to swear people upon! Most
of these counties have but few Sabbath Schools some
having but two or three, and told that two of
The counties had not even that many.
To aid Gods ministers in correcting this state of
things we now have Colporteurs in several of these
xuho inoto dn a hv
imparting light to families around their resides, to
the liquor in his SHOP and to all wherever
found; also by forming Sabbath Schools To do
this work efectually our Colporteurs have to give
away large portion of the printed truth they dis
tribute and then selling book at cost price. In
order to pay for the printed truth thus given away
and to pay the Colporteur $3.50 year for giving his
whole time to the work, also to further extend these
labors of love in all dark regions in N. c., is
why solicit donations from all christians and pat
riots of our State. That all may give understand
ingly and freely to the cause, we ask each one to
look this whole system through to its core, and see
its eectual operations among that class not reached
by any other means. All who understand the work
our country now needs, and We must support it,,
During the last quarter received $608 for the work
in sums from $50 down to the negro woman's two
copper ccnts-some of which was sent me by mail,
and the other given me as l passed along, and in
many instances it was done without my asking for it.
A gentleman handing me $50 said, II will give this
and an additional amount every year for this good
work." Another giving the same amount said, 81.
shall esteem it great privilege to give this an
nualy to Colportage."
Little Susan, IA years old, the daughter of poor
but praying widow, handed me s., the most of which
the little girl had made by sewing and knitting re-
qucsting to lay out in books for poor ignorant
children which did in dark region and got
good manto 60 there and commence Sunday School
with those books, which he is carry ing on we'll
With, pleasure and gratitude to God, shall ever
think of the kindness and encouragement received
from the people of Fayetteville, Clinton. Newborn,
and all those friends by the way, among whom I
more to cheer my heart then during April and May
Ministers and christians Of the different denomina-
tons bid me hearty God speed. May we all be
firmly united in heart. feeling and effort in the one
work of doing good to poor dying sinners, by in
'structng them and pointing them to Jesus Yours
truly,
WIN. J. W. CROWDER, Ag't.
of Am. TT. Sec. for N. G.
Raleigh, June I'd, 1856.