Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-02
Every Man a Colporteur.

Every Man a C0ipOrteur. III
1t has become a 'fixed fact in this coun- $
try, that one of the most easy and cheap II
methods of disseminating useful information '
or moral truth among our fellow men, next :
to the direct circulation of newspapers, is by i
the distribution of tracts. This is not = new :
thing under the sun but its efficiency has .
been rendered more apparent in late years,
by the untiring energy and unexampled sue
cess of that great benevolent agency, the
American Tract Society. Indeed the gentle
and u%nobtrusive manner of the colporteurs Of
that noble institution, has removed the pre-
JUDGES which formerly existed against tract
distributors" so that gentlemen and ladies
are no longer startled, nor feel insulted at the
kind and philanthropic enquiry, "Wil you
have a tract, sir? Few are found rude
enough nowadays, to repel harshly, such a
pointed manifestation of personal interest,
even on the part of a stranger, and the good
f which has been done, eternity only can reveal.
E So manifestly efficient has this simple
t agency become, that almost every religious
/ and moral association in the land is adopting
it, and even lynx-eyed, tradesmen, artists,
s%howmen, &C., universally employ it in some
form or other. The "Sons of Temperance
i in this and other States, have tried it to some
+ extent, but in North Carolina and perhaps
n elsewhere the difficulty Of always obtaining
the services of suitable colporteurs, has great
ar " retarded its success. Good has been done,
If but not to the extent which is desirable. Men
no are exceedingly scarce who are really compe-
es tent to do the full work Of a good colporteur.
re- The idea which obtains to some extent among
h. good men, that if 81 can do nothing else, |
MS can be a colporteur," is a blind and erroneous
notion, and is often more deleterious in its eff
m fects upon the agent than upon community.
bic This idea is akin to that which prevails to
so hurtful an extent in our land, of can do
-; nothing else, | can teach school" In both
,l cases the community are sadly disappointed
and injured, and often the person is discoura-
,i+b ged for life.
J. But to our design. 1t was to urge every
friend of Temperance, both male and female,
~ to become distributors of temperance tracts,
throughout the State. The cost in time, Ia
Dor and money, is 8 trile, not to be estima
I ted in comparison Of the good to be effected
The ease with which every person, interested
- in the promotion of temperance and SCUM
morals, may become a colaborer in doinI
io"' good, leaves all of us without excuse, if W
neglect it.
Reader! do you ever go out of your owr
y Z" house On business or to make a social call ?
~ @ If so, how easy it is to take a few tracts fc
distribution with you. Always keep thel
~ in your pocket, or convenient, so that no fe
low immortal shall be neglected, or passed b,
Or if you are infirm and confined to the nous
keep them at hand, to tender one to a visito
PEI How much might be done in this way,
er Vi snatch your fellow-beings from the nets al
sper- n. f Alcohol II ~.
{ oo could become a colporteur. And who know
7'ely what an immense amount of moral influen
es OF you may exert, in this cheap, easy way
1iFh, Don't leave all this great work to be pc
'onS formed by those who are employed as colpc
teurs. Share in the labor and toll and shan
pie"S if need be, if you would share The happin
. e"i of doing good, with them
- DuC where snail we get the tracts 2
They are abundant and ready to your han,
= Send your orders to Prof Richard Sterlir
70 eN- Greensborough, N. G., or if you are me
oile convenient to a colporteur of the Americ
poohc Tract Society, he will gladly supply you
s. Tile any number you may desire, and so che
,"'e- that none can complain. O! that eve
. r1 friend of Temperance felta as deeply as he sho'
WIN the importance and the profit of this work.
their Let us he nm and doing hrotbror W.
or the it-au at it-and alraTs Of ;+n