Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-10
5


q R.hnson he psstor. from the 18th verse Of
the 16th chspter 81 MARI, so re into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature
The object of the meeting Was TO give the Gensn
nj Agent an opportunity of seeing as many 81 the
western Coporteurs Is possible for mutual instruc-
tion and encouragement. Most of the Colporteurs
within ten or twelve countie around weresPresent
In order to carry out the object OF the meet'lg AZ
ter opening BY religious exercise ct = o'clock the
10Th public sessions Of about three hours each were
held in the morning and afternoon Of Saturday and
Monday. Much time of each session was occupied
with personal narratives by the Colporteurs giving
their early religious advantages by what means they
were led Christ how exercised for usefulness after
conversion, what led to their engaging in this self
denying and sacrificing work, to what extent they
found their fields destitute of church privileges and
religious books their manner of Colporteur work
from house to house.. amount of work done, and
some of the known good resulting from their per-
sonal labors and books distributed. In hearing
these unpretendng narratives Of christians from five
denominations, one could not fail to be impressed
shat God had provdentially brought these men into
this work. There was striking unity in the fact
that nearly all had been blessed with the instructions
of religious parents
Several attributed their first religious concern to
the example and lessons Of pious, praying moth
en- and by reading some book or tract they bad been
led to Christ All alike had felt themselves ruined
by sin and saved only through faith in the Lord
Jesus. e ssas
Most of them had given up secular occupations of
far greater ease and pecunary profit to engage in
this work. for the privilege of carrying the bread OF
life to the destitute and perishing lone who was
making over So day, of choice went into this work
for fifty cents per day. The most satisfactory evil
dence was given that work of this family ossstang
character is indispensable to the salvation OF our
scattered country population and especially in our
more mountainous counties so difficult OF access by
the usual church advantages. The known glorious
Ill Nv ~
would fill volume. The following will serve to IL
lustrate the need and good of the work.
In one county, one of the laborers visited about
3. 200 families, nearly 500 of whom were without
the Bible, over 700 without all other religious books,
more than 600 negecting church, and nearly 1900
families stated that they never had religious visit
and prayer at their fresides until by this Colpor-
teur There was but one Sabbath School in the
whole county, except in the town. when he began, and
now there are "a Sabbath Schools with about 400
scholars-most Of which he aided in forming and
supplied with books by sale or grant. Scores have
been reformed from vice, and converted by "Dod-
drige's Rise and Progress" :" Bakers Call "Anx-
ious INQUIRER and other books. In another coun-
ty the Colporteur visited $500 families found 658
Of them without the Bible 700 destitute of all 9TH
or religious books, and from their inability to buy
he gave to families and Sabbath Schools $3.50 29cts
worth of books. More than 80 Sabbath Schools are,
now in that county, through which means grown
persons have learned to spell and read, been con-
verted, and are now Sabbath School teachers.
At different stages of the meetings the exercises
were varied with singing and prayer, and instruc-
tons as to the history, principles and workings of
the Society, and more than an hour was spent
Monday in answering more than 80 questions, cal
culated to bring out the whole of Colporteur work
in impressive manner, as to duties in visiting fam
lies the best manner Of treating errorsts the ig
norant and preudiced, the distribution of books
porting punctually the LIST of each month and quar-
ter-the duties of which show clearly that we can
5 have no men for Colporteurs but pious prudent
2erseverng wellinformed christians willing scale
mountains, thread vallies, and wade swamps
through cold or heat for the sake of souls rather
than money. s-e=-
On Sabbath there were several addresses on the
history, necessity and effects Of Colportage in North
Carolina. In these exercises we were greatly en-
couraged by the interest manifested in the large
tentve audiences, especially of nights when general
meetings held and addressed by the clergy and
laborers. The different addresses of Rev. G. F.
Bahnson were suggestive, impressive and soul-str:
ring, showing that his own heart filed with love
for the work, for the sake of Gods perishng poor.
He stated that he clearly saw the American Tract
Society pressing forward the helper every work
of God in our own and foreign lands, in bringing
out the pious laty to aid the ministry carrying the
Bible to the destitute, promoting education, the
Temperance cause, causing Sabbath Schools to
spring up, contributing much in producing christian
nAs
tons and that be and the brethren of Salem should
feel it both duty and privilege to remember in
their prayers such work, with its officers. in so
responsible positions and its hard tong Coporteurs:
and to make and save of their means to give in
helping to support this work of GOO for carrying
1.-THE gospel to e.ery creature" He made some en-.
couraging closing remarks to the spiritual iufIu.
ence of the meeting upon this congregation, remind
ing US that We had Christ for our example in going
about to do good and like the Saviour we might ex-
pect trials and sacrifices, but that we would be
abundantly rewarded in the good done to souls,
and finally by the glorious welcome of God to an
incorruptible inheritance
After singing, "Blest be the tie that binds &C. ~
with overlooking hearts the meeting closed about 4
O'Clock Monday evening" and each laborer marched
OFT with renewed energy, frightened armor and
strengthened ialth to continue spreading printed
gospel truth, free Of sectarianism from door to door,
ton. -
We could not fail to express our gratitude for the
kind, hospitabe provisions for the laborers and their
horses. One gentleman proposed to keep SO horses
If necessary. And we were kindly Above, a free
passage on the Stage between Salem and High int
The pastor and citizens exhibited their interest in
such meetings by urging that the Society hold
larger similar meeting there next year, After the
meeting closed visited many at their houses. and
found nearly all taking the American Messenger"
(the Societys organ) some take 100 copies to give
to the poor. They have kept Depository Of the
American Tract Society publications over 20 years
for themselves and any wishing them, and especially
TO send out to scattered mountain destitute ami
lies can safely say that Inever before mingled
with more warm-hearted, intelligent, pious, liberal
body of christians than the Moravian Brethren and
Sisters in and around Salem. As a general thing,
all OF them, men, women and children, seem to be
diligently engaged in some audable avocation with
cheerful spirit in order to make Something to saoe
s0eteing, 70 90 someting to bless and saos souls
the Lord 30 that, instead q having to urge them
% give had only to receive their truly fTee-wiN
CterSngs In amounts from x7h douvr ~ H. ,v;do,.