Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-10

full, for we are told boldly by the dealers in ardent
spirits, that their "6sst patrons in buying and
drinking are members of churches and gentlemen Of
high position" But God is blessing various means
to ditfuse light, causing men to give up the tramc
and rescuing hundreds of men. women and children
from the sad effects of liquor. In this our books
and tracts are doing great things and there Is re-
Gently q greatly renewed interest in the scattering
broadcast temperance tracts over N. q. May Goa
direct and greatly bless the movement.
Third. Colportdge in toa0ns and the coantry.-
From nv observation am satisfied that this work
is adapted to both towns and country, because in
both we have the poor, the sick, the prejudiced to
church. going and those Indifferent to all means OF
grace; and the most effectual way to reach them is
to carry gospel truth christian love by the prayer OF
faith into their houses If we do not thus 60 to
Them thousands and will not receive the Cos
pei, and many will live and die heathens in our
midst. l.
But Colportage has greater field in the more des'
titute places of the country, because in many such
there is no preacher within IL or more miles and
seldom any preaching, say from once month 10
once twice year or even longer; no church
within S, 8 or IL miles, and scarcely no religious
hook or books of any kind and in some neghbor'
hoods of 20 or more families there is not single
pious praying person, and not one in IL or 20 can
read 10 such the Colporteur, with his good and
beautiful picture and A. B. c. books, goes speaking
kindly to each one sits with them around their own
firesidcs, where he and learns their wants. and
can effectuay interest and instruct them and they
begin to understand and appreciate religion and ed
ucation for the first time for there are scores in n
c.. (which have also found in other States) who,
from their ignorance and prejudice believe that re-
ligon preaching schooling &C., matters OF trick
cry, speculation money -making-we must visit
them to get them in our schools and churches it we
would have them to be useful here and saved in
Heaven.
Fourth Effects upon the foreign population
So far as we have do with foreigners in this State
we find that the German Messenger, and the books
we carry them in the different languages they speak,
to be nearly if not quite all the religious instruction
some of them ever get, which they gladly receive,
generally; and this work is equally adapted to their
wants as to our own. know some who have been
converted through this instrumen,ay, anc now, in
stead of spreading the dreadful they brought
here, they are exerling a saving influence among our
people we'll as their own countrymen.
In conclusion, | would say that although we have
had obstacles to reard our progress the past year,
yet Gods hand is clearly to be seen in the work, in
the good it has already done many souls; and the
books will continue preaching Jesus long after the
Coporteur closes his years work or dies. And
striking Providence is to be seen in raising up suit
able men who willingly give up lucrative positions to
engage in this for $3.50, and travelling expenses
And gracious Providence has been equally visible
in dsposing benevolent friends to give cheeruly of
their means to help support this work in amounts
from $500 down to the poor widows % cents. The
names of donors and amounts are given in the Mes
senger and the full amount from N. c., will be given
in the society's Annual Report We lack much Of
supporting our own work. and it is impossible for
US to call all personally. Friends send your
money. Every person should read carefully the
tenth Of the third chapter of Malach the Sec
ond verse of the sixteenth chaper of first Corinthians.
and the eighth chapter of second Corinthians May
Gods word and spirit influence all to do something
for the furtherance of this and other benevolent OBJ
jects, at least annually and the Lord prospers.
Yours truly,
w. j. w. CROWDER. Gen. Agt.
of Am. Tr. Soc. for N. G.
Raleigh, n. c., March l, 1858.