Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-16

/
ing. ministry in-carrying the gospel truths,
they preach and write ont in tracts and
books, by the christian Colporteur to the
homes of thousands who could not and
hundreds who would not, 60 to hear them
/ preach these truths from. their pulpits.-
Thus, by this rapid, efficient and economi-
cal systematic average cost of it being
about II cents to the family-we may
render important aid to the ministry in
having religious conversation and prayer
in every family, whether godly or ungodly, I
just as they are, without the disguise so
frequent when met from home, talk socially
and plainly to them as to their minds and
souls, hear them talk TO us Of gsaeis difficult
1 ties and wants, tneE We can - .Af talk,
books and prayer to. their nH Is. litter
such visits we hear of christians being
aroused to the performance of family wor-
ship, and other duties in the family rela-
tions, in the neighborhood, in better atten-
ding church, in more. literally supporting
the gospel at home and in sending it abroad
to the destitute. We also hear of the con-
version of parents, children and servants,
drunkard reformed. In all this change and
religion IN the tanai1y we see the impor-
tance Of ministers and pious persons,
preaching the word through the press,
seeing that God has opened and prepared
this enlarged, neoving channel, Colportage,
through which His, truths, as preached and
printed may be conveyed to every family
and creature, however inaccessible they
may be. In the mountains Of this State |
witnessed the effect of Bishop McIlvaines
: preaching in families he never saw, through
! his tract on Spiritual Declension, left by
: Colporteur with lukewarm christian,
q whom its truths aroused to duty and he
/ loaned it to Others At least five family
: altars erected, prayer meeting and sab
r bath school organized, and upwards of 20
o souls converted, are believed to be some of
: the results of that tract which is yet preach
! ing, and it has influenced several in that
, neighborhood to send for other tracts
e which are also preaching from house to
# house.
y In almost every county in N. G. there
+ were increased revivals Of religion last year,
I the demand for tracts was greater than any
! previous year, and have many accounts
7 Of their being blessed in the awakening Of
II sinners. There was also a great increase
% in the interest and number of Sab. Schools,
i especially in poor neighborhoods, many Of
l. which we supplied with books by grant.
: aeaF@e Ministers fhdagG I G go lss Il loF fE1
- wants in most counties Also intelligent
p pious, benevolent, working lay members
10 though far too few who will daily reach
be spiritual bread to their own starving chill
70 dren, servants and neighbors. But there
or is certainly great waking up and improve
od ment in these respects. For Ministers anC
le- Editors in their preaching and writing ar
M urgent that christians should look more t.
~ their own families and neighbors to fin
70. the destitute and perishing. And the Lea
,or ders, Deacons, Elders, and other member
civ of different churches are holding publ
.cb meetings. especially to consult and devils
uoo as to a more prompt and thorough hon
h;s euanqelization. In some of these meeting
,od | have heard facts of destitution equal
;cb any | have ever known. 1t is most chee
oc ing to know that there is an increasin
ow number of christians in N. G. feeling ar
ION moving forward to aid in spreading gosp
his truth.
ion During the year l distributed over 62t
Oh 900 pages of truth, besides much mo
,od sent to Others for distribution. We ha
fnll had about 40 Colporteurs in the State d
ing a similar work in thousands of fan
,uor lies have now been in II counties
heir N. C. where have seen and heard of t
rim blessed results of these humble, faith
h.. men and their books and tracts left behir
- of I have met with most of these laborers, a
con | have never been more impressed "
hers Gods providence than as seen in most
,ces these men, having strong minds busin
nnot talent, deep piety, great energy, and 60
,on- understanding of men and things, che
bo- fulness in selfdenial and sacrifice for
) mi sake of souls, many of them giving up
ooh ocations at home by which they were !
~ ba king from $500 to $1,000 year, to eng
n in this at $3.50 and travelling expen
moo which we pay them by donations from
and beneyolent-many giv5the entire salar
,ntl,~ a Colporteur, and others smaller amou
;IIino which we hope will be continued annui
+bo;1P with earnest prayer for Gods blessing
ov;nc. on the work in the salvation OF souls,
ohore in raising up more men and means fol
entIv extension of the work to the 30 coul
them not yet supplied with ColPorteur.
untv. have been largely dependent upon fri
found in other States for means to carry on
!. had work for the good of n. c., and Il
facts God for disposing them to such noble
most erality, and am sure their reward in h
have en- will be great in seeing the souls So
, the as the fruit of their bread cast upon
77nd 10 waters" The donations from N c.
ba ;g, year are more than the previous year
at o9r perhaps more than any other year, bu
! and have not yet the amount friends are
nstrn- ferred to the Am. Messenger and the
roacb- l ciety's Annual Report, in which every
And lar is acknowledged.
= Who In every county have been kindI
noa ~ ~ Eceivcd by ministers and members OF
- LII different churches. How delightful t.
49, 49, christians Of 2a different denomina
i anJ united in heart, feeling and effort to
rosnIt M Esinners to Jesus, for in such we see II
! Az for what our Saviour prayed that
~ +bis all may be one, that the world may b'
boonaas that thou hast sent me"
, otbor Yours truly,
:. and w. j. W. CROWQER, Gen.
= anu of Am Tr COe for