Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-08
For the Spirit of the Age.
Tract Sketches in North Carolina.

4TdCI 0ACbCuOS LII NOILu Od1U41Ud~
Since March 1st, | have labored, more
or less, in 81 counties in N. G. | made
721 visits, found AZ families without the
Bible, 100 destitute of all other religious
books, al habitually neglecting evangel-
ical preaching, 221 never had a religious
visit or prayer at their houses before aid
ed in holding 81 meetings for prayer and
religious instruction. Had personal con-
versation on religion with over 1000 per-
sons from whom | received a statement as
to their religious state. More than 1000
told me they felt they were ungodly and
in the way to eternal death. | am inform
ed by good authority that in one county
of a population of $500 there are only
about 600 members of evangelical church
es and in one portion, there is not a
church, or minister and but one or two
protesting christians in s, 10 or II miles
around. In this and another similar sec
ton there are grown persons who never
heard a sermon Or prayer according to
their own statement. These sections are
almost inaccessible at present except ny an
itinerating or Colporteur system. In more
than half the counties l visited, there is
not a bookstore, and hundreds of families
cannot and will not get books or learn Of
their object and value unless they are car
ried to their houses. | scattered more
than .235,O0o pages. nearly half of which
/ gave to the poor and needy. That they
may be proftted by this printed truth, we
get pious neighbors to visit, instruct and
read to those unable to read, and bring
them into Sunday Schools and Common
Schools and TO attend churches.
A man to whom | talked and gave a
tract a few weeks ago, although he had
been skeptical for years, had the truth sc
fastened upon his mind and heart by Gods
spirit that he has been led to Christ. Re
Gently q man told nae that the first tract he
ever saw, was given him by a minister sew.
eral years ago when he was fettered by the
strongest prejudice against every thing O
the kind, yet it arrested bis attention and
was a remaining evidence of personal con
Germ for his salvation which he obtained
and now for several years he has been al
active christian, holding prayer meetings
and opening his dwelling for preaching il
two dark sections, where there are no
good church buildings, and a glorious re
viyal recently. This man is now an activ
Colporteur, to have personal conversation
and scatter printed truth, by which he wa
blessed, among families in a destitnt
and needy section. An efficient ministe
now preaching in a destitute section tol
me that a tract placed in his hands by on
Of our CoIporteurs was the means of leaC
ing him to Christ.
A prominent minister laboring in tn
county. whom ! supplied with tracts a fe
weeks APO, says he visited a sick yopn
man, the only child Of a widow, having I
preparation for death, but anxionsly col
cerned. After a brief talk, be gave hi
one Of those tracts which was instrument
in leading him to Christ as he himself st
ted sometime before his happy DEATH
Thus God is daily blessing these size
preachers that are being carried and l.
every where Ly Colporteuls, Ministers al
active christians. Every christian shou
be a tract distributor, for it is an effcetu
way of reaching thousands that cannot
50 easily approached in any other way.
The money 10 make these tracts and So
port these 40 Colporteurs in n. Z. IS CIV
BY christianssof different denominations
Ihaye been greatly encouraged the pa
quarter by the cheerful donations given I
for this blessed work in amounts fre
$3.50 90 down TO the Widows 10 cents.
l thank God hat christians are more tul
learning 10 worship Him by the use
their moneya as well as by their prayers h
Cornelius-Acts X Cll.
In my recent trip to New York a
Boston, / was greatly encouraged IN me
ing so many warm christian hearts who :
helping us daily by their means and PR
ers to spread gospel truth to every creat'
throughout our State, that parents, chlldr
and servants may fully know their win
duty to God and each other. We :
having more excellent men commlssi'
ed for this work who are making gr'
sacrifices to do it, and surely all will h
to support It, seeing that it makes bet
our society and saves immortal souls.
Yours truly,
WI. ". CROWDER, Gen. Agt.
of Am. TT. Soc. for N.
RALEIGH limo ia. 1859.