Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-26
For the Standard.
For the STANDARD.
FACTS CONNECTED WITH A WESTERN
COLPORTEJJR TOUR


FACTS CONNECTED WITH A WESTERN
COLPORTEUR TOUR.
While at Baltimore, Md, attending Colporteur
Convention in November last, received instruction
to attend similar meeting in Nashville, Tenn, the
25th of that month. This Convention was compo-
sed of Ministers Superintendent of Colportage Gen
eral Agents, and Colporteurs belonging to several
different evangelical denominations. Judge Robt
L. Caruthers, of Lebanon, Tenn, was elected Pres
ident of the Convention, Rev. j. N. Stevenson, D.
D., of New York, Vice President and Rev. S. Wells,
of Columbia, Tenn, Secretary.
Two sessions, hours each, were held in Rev. Mr..
Hays Church. and two similar sessions in Rev. Dr.
Edgars Church. In these meetings each one gave
brief account of his early religious advantages as
to parental influence, Sab School and Sanctuary ad
vantages, by what means awaked and led to Christ
how led into Colporteur work, manner of doing it,
and the need and effects of it in families and neigh
borhoods
Three days and nights spent in these delight
full exercises without jar note of discord, though
the members belonged to several different branches
of the church. The feeling and expression was,
that they were children of the same Father, met to-
gether in love, to encourage each other, and get
more wisdom and grace to render each one more
useful in going forth to the resides of the poor and
needy to help break the bread Of life to perishing
souls.
sketch one of a Colporteur from Henry co., West
Tenn. He stated that he had spent 81 months as q
CopOrtuer in several counties-visited 1924 fam-
lies; Of which he conversed on religion or prayed
with 1851 found destitute of religious books ,268
and without the Bible 1904 ; neglecting preaching
6ss; also held 10S meetings; got 474 subscribers
for the American Messenger; sold 24,523 vols. in
value 1859 40; gave away 1892 vols. in value
$5l6 55; and nearly 100000 pages of tracts This
GOlnOrta1r had nior,c MFR md al.
though the neighborhood in which he was raised
was about equally divided among three denomina-
lions, yet he enjoyed the privilege of seeing these
pious praying christians united in Sab. School,
and frequently in public meetings for preaching and
prayer; by which he, and Others were made to feel
and say, behold how these christians love-" 1t
was my happy lot to be raised within mile of this
Colporteur- being carried from this county to that
when was child Isay "my happy lot, because
it Yves good to be raised in such neighborhood;
and especially because it pleased God to make this
Colporteur the instrument in my awakening and
deciding to seek and serve God about - years ago.
And from witnessing the adaptedness of the work in
this Colporteurs personal kind talk, prayer, and
books and tracts distributed to every class of nd
viduals and families, was solemnly impressed aud
influenced to commence this work in this my native
State, after being providentialy brought back and
kept in 1849.
Since God brought me into the work here, He
has raised up other laborers, increasing the number
year after year, until now I have had associated
with me over go humble selfdenying fellow labor
ers. And have visited in N. C. IS, 1877 fam
lilies; of whom over II, 900 destitute of religi-
GUS books, and more than 1000 without the Bible;
over 5000 habitually neglected church and we
have sold at the societys low prices 1873 03S vols.
and gave away 4S,76s vols 10 what extent this
work alone in N. c., is attributable to the above
| Colporteur of West Tennessee, God only can make
known, but am satisfied that owe, to great ex-
tent under Gods blessing what have received and
been enabled to do, to that mans influence and ex-
ample as praying christian and faithful Colpor-
| teur.
The interest of the Convention was greatly in
creased by the interesting statements of Mr.. Seely
Wood, Superintendent of Colportage in Ohio KY,
| Tenn, and Miss, who commenced the volume cir
culation of the Am. Tr. Soc. in the west about 20
years ago, and from seeing that the scattered poor
families were not sufficiently reached by that sys-
| TEN, he was perhaps the most prominent among the
first who suggested the idea of Colporteurs in
the United States, which was commenced by this
society in 1s41, by sending out only two men that
year trial of this benevolent system of reaching
parents and children at their homes with the com.
bined influences of kind personal conversation with
the printed page. AS proved so efficient and econ.
omical this society has been enabled by donations
! of $150-a Colporteur's salary-and smaller sums,
to send out over 5000 Colporteurs who have visited
5,496,663 families mostly in our own country, in
which they had religious conversation or left book
or tract Since the introduction of this system in
our country by the Am. TT. Soc different denomi
nations and societies have also adopted it in the
complshing of great good in all of which this socie
ty rejoices What great results flow from the little
beginnings even of one man!
On sabbath of our Convention, u addresses on
Coportage were made to the sab. schools and con-
gregations in different churches in Nashville And
the friends of that city showed their interest in the
cause by giving 81, 1919 90 with cheerfulness that
is higly encouraging
After an absence of several weeks am again priv
LEGGED to enter upon my duties in N c., where an
willing to spend and be spent in helping to carry
the means of education and religion to every house
rich and poor, in our State We are also having
some new Coporteurs commissioned who promise
great usefulness-one gives up pleasant business
at which be was making over $1,000 year and en-
cages in this for $3.50. Thus God brings in bott
men and means for the work.
During last quarter, We visited in N. c., 6731
families, found 26s Of these without the Bible 46i
destitute of all other religious books and 312 neg
Letting preaching. Sold 2, 344 APO pages and gave
away 529, $50 pages. This has been done entirely
by the charities of the people, and every one may
take part in it and do great good.
Yours truly,
W. j. w. CROWDER, Gen. Agent
Of Am. IT, Soc. for N. C.