Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-03-07

and prayer with 2,061, of whom 400 fami-
lies or about 1000 persons told me they were
habitually neglecting chuch. l have been
astonished to find so many mothers who had
not beer to preaching in 8, and II months,
or sometimes in as many years, and from
their many family duties it is almost impos-
sible for them to go, especially if they have
to walk or 4 miles. The gospel must be
carried to their .1resides, if they are proper
ly supplied with the needed instruction in
training their children for happiness and nse.
fulpess in Church and State
vas tolS by Ga families that they never
haa r.sllgiSas visit and prayer before, most
OF whom were not members of any church;
134 were destitute of the Bible, and 371 with
out all other religious books most of whom
had no money to buy, and felt that books
were beyond their reach. Nearly all were
delighted to receive them, and many have be-
come SO interested that they have since bought
books. have sold to those able to buy, over
100000 pages, and given, mostly to the poor,
over 100000 pages; total during the year
more than $4,000 pages. I think but for
this system of colportage at least one fifth,
and perhaps one-fourth, that | have visited
would be almost destitute of the regular priv
ilege of gospel truth; and know of no other
system that is regularly carried on and press
ed out to supply this want. Ministers, who
are Gods first and greatest instruments, are
doing faithful labor in their various relations,
but their work has been so increased that
they have not the time or strength to visit
many families who are not members of their
respective charges There are few who are
doing a noble work as special Missionaries
and Evangelists. But the great want of fam
lily visiting, for personal religious conversa-
tion and supplying the destitute and scattered
families with printed truth, as a system to
reach all, is mainly dependent upon colpor-
tage.
| find that the national catholic character
and spirit of this Society, its constitution,
its laborers, the undenominational character
of its publications, give me more access to
all classes, especially to unbelievers and op-
posers, than in any other capacity.
ENCOURAGING TESTIMONY.
A prominent Physician, who was skeptical,
says-'I have closely watched this Society
for many years, and especially its effects by
Coportage, in my professional visits among
the poor, and in every view it has been an
overwhelming demonstration of the truth,
unity and power of christianity, and its pub
lications that | got of you have been
made lasting blessing to my SOUL | shall
ever be its firm friend and supporter"
STATE AND EFFECTS OF coLPoRTAGE.
Although the number of colporteurs now
working in North Carolina is little less than
last year, yet the work perhaps is in a more
o-asfez Sas-=l~tc ih4-t anar tafana..- NAs~ la
borers with excellent qualifications are Just
being sent out. We yet lack much of sup
porting our own work, as the Soc's full Re-
port will show next May. In passing over
the fields of Colporteurs, [ have seen and
learned of great good by their labors. A
christian gentleman who keeps the American
Bible Societys Bibles and Testaments for
the supply of his county, told me that he
had more than doubled his sales of Bibles and
Testaments since our colporteur had been
in the county, which was mainly the result
of his visits.
They have greatly aided the ministry
One saws, 'After the Colporteur labored sew
eral days in the families of my charge, helc
series of meetings, in which there have beer
take pleasure in saying that great portion
of this good work is owing to Gods blessing
upon the reading of the Society's publications
he distributed"
Their labors have also been much blessed
in building up and increasing Sabbath Schools
especially among the poorer families, in which
many children, and even parents, have learn
ed to spell and read About 40 of thes'
Schools now exist in one county where ther
were but 6 when the Colporteur began t.
visit from house to house, in which visits h
got them interested in books, and got pious
Intelligent men and women to engage a
teachers.
SEED sowN AND PRODUCING.
It is most cheering to witness the enlarge
views on personal responsibility, and the in
crease of individual christian effort A lad
sent me IS, which laid out in tracts, par
of which I gave in country neighborhooC
{ one of which was blessed of God in the cor
version of young lady, whose father inform
ed me of the fact eight months afterward
f when he called on me to buy tracts for th
daughter who wished to be regular di
tributer.
A gentleman who sent me $50 to max
himself and wife life members, says, 'Sint
f YOUR very welcome visit to our neighborhoo'
have been trying to make myself useful b
visiting and distributing tracts among Il
moor. | feel an increased interest in the ira
5 cause, seeing it to be great means of Wi
: ming souls>to Christ"
ONE MAN SUPPORTING CoLPoRTEuR.
Another gentleman sent me 5000 by ma
J, and saws, 81 give this to support colporte'
/ in this county, if, with Gods assistance, u
d can get man. If you cannot get colpo
5 teur to work in this county, am willlr
d that the money should be used for some OF
Is er destitute county, but hope you will g
y one soon to visit this, for we have many po
re and needy here, who have much difficulty
az going to places of worship, and unless t
&c ce gospel is carried to them they must perish
~ tnelr sins, and their blood cry out against I
Is VINO may have opportunity or means to car
~ ITO tnem' not only feel it my duty
e give money to send out godly, praying c
ss porteur to scatter printed truth. but I sh
pa scatter tracts myself, and try to interest Of
hi- ers to support colporteurs and give tracts
re- Please Withhold my name from the nnhlic
he | do not want, by this, to gain notor;,
ng among men, but to do good to their souls .
he glorify God, to whom beiong with all 7 r
lis sess, and at whose bar must render an
in count for my stewardship"
ing A few weeks after this sfree-will-offerinp
me made, God, doubtless in answer to pra,
for provided for the above county pious, ac
in man, who was awakened and led 10 Ch,
'th- through Gods blessing, upon the tract &C,
to to Jesus given him by oolporteur
fter visited him few years ago. He has beel
cedl boring efficiently and finds destitution
LII neglect of the gospel. After his arrival,
nue gentleman supporting him, writes, 'OCr
the porteur is encouraged in his visits among
cry poor, to whom he is giving special attent
brit And our ministers and prominent men
rod, him warm reception, and will co-cpe
re- heartily. l am thankful to God for
bling you to send US such a man to bel
Il i ~. II 90 o1o Il e.