The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-07-13
I ircvlar.
To the Pastors and Congregations of The
Various Denominations of Protestant
Christians in South Carolina:

Various Denominations of Protestant
Christians in South Carolina:
At the last Annual Convention of the
Bible Society al this State. South Carroll
ma waa unanimously pledged by her as.
sembIeG delegates, 10 raise five thousand
dollars for the distribution of the Bible,
through the American Bible Society, il.
foreign countries. The undersigned were
appointed Committee TO address the
State at large on this important subject.
The facts which Induced this ,esoluti, II
and now from the basis OF this appeal are
as follows: Intelligence has been received
by the Parent Society that there are not
a few places in the West Indies and in
Spanish and Portuguese America where
the Bible can te proftably circulated, to
the remoYa! of superstition and error,
and the salvation of souls.
An appeal comes likewise from France
for aid to give the i5ibIe to the many
there who are ready and willing to re.
ceive 1t. Eight or ten thousand dollars
are wanled for this field alone, bv the
American Bible Society. France, with
all her refinement and superior civiliza
ton, needs and now asks for the Bible
shall We refuse it Germany, too, we are
credibly informed, furnishes an important
field for this work. The land of Luther
asks again for the Bible. From Constan
t,ao?le comes up most urgent demand
for the pure word Of God. Trauslalions,
the modern, Armenian, Armenno Turkish,
and Bulgarian languages. Here, then,
is "~ile and etiecual door" set open for
the entrance Of Gods sanctifying word
llele, in the very heart of the M0hamme.
dan empire, muutudeS are asking Tor the
pure truth Of Jesus. Nowhere. we are
assured, is the Bible more desired or bet.
ter used. In Syria, too, n Arabic Bible
is nearly ready for tie press and widely
called for. India and Siam are asking
for the everlasting Word, and now China
and Japan, with unsoid millions, have
been opened by miracle Of Providence,
for the free and unobslruc,ed spread of
Gods jnercifuI truth Here the spiritual
s!umbe- of ages is to he broken. How
may this be done. but by the light and
power of Gods quicknng word.
The great question comes up, shall
these wide fields Of gracious opportunity
be occupied or no! Men, sinful immortal
men, are asking Of us the bread that
came down from Heaven. and which we,
under our Fathers bounty. have and TO
spare Shall we deny it! shall we cast
before them only the stone Of our unbe
lief? The whole missionary world is now
arranging itself for the fuIflment OF that
glorious prophecy, The earth shall be
full of the knowledge of the Lord as the
waters cover the sea- What shall be
our relation to this grand result
The Bible society Of South Carolina
has already answered the question before
God. 1t has pledged this State for fire
thousand dollars towards this great and
blessed york. Christians Of South Caro-.
lima, We ask now your co operation in
raising this amount. We look for lib
e'al response TO this cali for the Bible,
reaching us from every quarter Of our
globe. Let us in gratitude for our own
distinguishing mercies "a an emil Zhtened
and Christian people, give the word Of
the Lord free course Let us scatter
DIoducdst tnlS seeu Ol ilIe, as tie plough
share Of Divine Providence prepares the
way. Then shall harvest of righteous.
ness and peace soon wave luxuriently
over the wide fields Of our wasted hu
msnity, and Gods promised kingdom
come with power. One in our common
love and estimation of the Bible, we ask
OF you as pastors and Gods people an
immediate andS liberal response to the
noble resolution OF your own Society.
Respectfully,
b. JOHNSON, Of Episcopal Church,
L. a. HoYT, Of Presbyterian Church,
G. MURoHTsoN, of Methodist Church,
w. h. HEMPHTLL. Associate Reformed,
L. A. BoLEs, Of Lutheran Church,
Committee.
N, B.-A collection is respectfully and
urgently desired from Each Congregation
OF the State before the Convention of our
State Bible Society, August 2, at York.
vile, S. G..