Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-24

Colportage in North Carolina.


Since the 1st of Sept. | have labored, more
or less, in over 80 counties in n. c., travelling
on Rail Roads, in buggy, and in the rougher
mountains on mule back, and day after day
| went on foot in order to reach the poorer
cabins, Oft the 5G2 families visited, | found
l72 who never had a religious visit and pray
er before, and many had not attended preach
ing from 3 months to 8 years, because Of the
distance or atfllction, or ignorance of the duty,
or prejudice, or love Of distilleries, grog shops
and places Of amusements, which are resorted
to on the sabbath by parents and children
! was kindly received by all at their fresides,
where could adapt both talk and books to
their wants, and they made to feel that they
were cared for by pious and intelligent chris
tlans belonging to more than 20 denomina-
lions who sent me to their houses. Which
fact being made known, the most ignorant is
fayorably impressed with christianity.
In this general work Of christian effort /
was warmly received by ministers of the diff
ferent denominations, who expressed, and ac-
ted out, their increasing convictions of the
Necessity for this work, by which most effec-
tually to go everywhere preaching the VERDI
A prominent itinerant minister writes, Il
love the Am. Tr. Soc. 1t is a good work, and
we should cooperate with it and all similar
agencies that can reach the population Of our,
as yet, UNEMPLOYED and neglected country."-
This minister enabled me to get about $3.50
IN three of his feeble congregations. Another
writing to his parish says, Il very heartily
commend The work of disappearing a Colporteur
to all who desire to discharge a duty to the
ignorant and destitute among u.s." He gave
me $40 and soon about $50 were given.
In many of the more thickly settled sec
tons there are churches well attended by pi-
Gus, intelligent people, who are having good
schools.
| was frequently told that our Colporteurs'
visits from house to house had awakened an
increased interest in going to church and
reading.
l learned of over 70 Sab. Schools resulting,
more or less, from Colportage. In one county
where therewere only 3 Sab. Schools there
are now 81. In this county, as far as known,
every family was visited and each one sup
piled with gospel truth by sale or grant and
over 500 converts are reported from it this
year. The work in this county is supported
by q few benevolent persons of moderate
means. La many counties from 200 to 500
have been hopefully converted this year
many of whom attribute their awakening t.
tracts and books. One lady thanks God fo
raising UP the Am. Tr. Soc. which sent he
Come 20 Jesus" by which she was led t
Christ. Her pious example and teaching, il
answer to her prayers, has been blessed il
the reformation of her drunken husband, t
whom she was afraid even to speak about re
ligion. But the truth she taught the chi
dren and their love of prayers, effectuall
reached the drunken fathers heart and he ha
embraced Christ, and been a consistent men
Der of the church several months, condu,
ting family prayer.
Such facts should stimulate each persoI
whether in or out of the church, to prom,
and continued action either in giving to sul
> port a Colportcur, who will carry the Sai
: School and Gospel to the freside of rich an
/ poor; or in buying books and tracts to di
t tribute among the people, the influence
which will continue for the good of sou
and our country. One of moderate near
, obtained by daily labor, gave me 500 |
I which 5 children are made Life member
! who draw annually 1900 pages gratis VIII
they live. Many others are doing the sar
y by giving $40 each. Others are giving 81
So and down to the widows so cts. One
8 whom sent with her so cents these lines +:
Enclosed is the widows mite. tits the |;
cent | have, which God enabled me to ca
q with my fingers and lay by to make trac
Although little, | trust it will be acceptabl
10 Such are precious jewels in the church.
IS bless and save the world, and showing Il
er each lay man and woman can and must ex
else his and her talent to aid the ministry
spreading the gospel.
shall ever owe a debt of gratitude