Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-12
F0RTY-sLXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE WILMINGTON FEMALE BIBL ~
EnCIErN.

FORTY sSANTH ANNUAL hEFOhI OF
THE WILMINGTON FEMALE BIBLE
suCIE rN.
In presenting their Report, tue Managers
OF this Society would remark, thnt as this
was not the year for our visitation OF the
city, we have not so much active service TO
record. The number of volumes sold and
given away is 173 Bibles and 14S Tcstaments
The principal donation of books was TO
AIr. Ross, Chief of the Cherokee Nation, for
the use OF his people.
The Society has lost several valued Mana
gers in the course of the year by removal.
Among these we mention with regret our
faithful and efficient Treasurer, Mrs. T. B.
Rice, and oui Vice President, Miss $. u.
Monro. She was one of the earliest mem
hers, and her long term Of duty was fruitful
in labors of love May those who take
their places fill them with equal zeal and
steadfastncss.
At our last annual meeting the Society
numbered 222. Since then we have lost
members by death, 10 by removals, and 2 |
names withdrawn. Twenty-three new sub
scnhers have been added TO our list, making |
| $50; an increase OF S.
While this year has been an uneventiul !
one with us, our honored parent, the Amerl- |
can Bible Society, has moved onward with |
| ever growing, widening energy. Its grand |
| operations need vast resources, and oil its
uuXilmries should give il their hearty, strong |
1
lis agent, Rev. DIR. Smith, ut the anniversary
Of the Delaware Bible Society," few weeks
since, know what the American Bible Society
asks OF us; and all will comprehend the
added power we shall secure by vigorous
effort to increase our list of subscribers.
We do not meet tonight TO pronounce un-
needed eulOgiums ON Gods holy Book We
would rather hear and communicate such
simple, animating facts, as may give new
impulse for the coming year Our Lord has
provided bread enough for all earth's starry
ing mulimdes, and as He breaks and blesses
il, we have the transcending honor of receiv-
ing and distributing ii. Shall any go unled
because OF our uniaithlulness?
We give few incidents connected with
our work this year
IAN old woman who Is in my class in our
Colored Sunday School, and to whom l
gave one OF the large print Testaments of
our Society, has learned to read it under
standinGly, and esleems it one of her most
} valuable treasures. She has attended the
school from its commencement, about tweve
years. Often while engaged in studying her
precious book she seems almost ready to ex-
press her nplurous feelings in u shou, Of
praise and thanksgiving.
"a manager gave Bible to one of the
inmates of the Aged Women's Home, who
: is blind. 1t caused her great. JOY MS she
pressed ii to her bosom and exclaimed, Now
s
OF the old ladies' to read 1t to me- She de-
sired TO have the name OF her Pastor written
I in it,
8 Another writes, "lu one o(my walks lately,
4 passing three cottages which nestled together
G amidst their gay little gardens, MS II the in
A mates had especial lellowship-as | believe
they have-a good old man in the central
one called out to me, You haven't seen
THE BOoKN lie took inc TO nm upper room,
q where, on an ancient looking 4" kist" in
which the Sunday clothes were kept, reposed
q a splendid folio Bible. On its cover were
n inscribed the names of James and Susan
d Greer Its happy owners sat on either
n side, while l examined and admired its
q clear type, so good for their old eyes, and
ii its fine ungravings Of the places mentioned
l. in those pages. They had subscribed for it
- in monthly parts, and when bound, the cost
J. was about fifty dollars. The old man talked
OF the matter as Of good investment of his
Ii savings loi his children. A late visit OF the
.s RUmish Redemp,lonisis to our neighborhoOd
e had caused immense excitement and hud
d sorey tried my old friend James. But us
4 took leave he lifted his ponderous treasure
~ from tho chest, and holding II tightly in hil
q arms, exclaimed, Never mind! We'0e 90
% thar
member says: at may interest the
in Society to have some account OF Young
Ia Mems Bible Glass, in this county, to whicl
le three years ago, 1t consists of twenty mem
d, bGls, The majority are not PROCESSING chris
uns, but all seem interested in the study
In of the Bible TO one Of them who dice
H. this year, ! gave II large testament an(
q. psalms obtained from the Society. In lii
in long illness he seemed to feed on its contents
Iy and he grew visibly in the knowledge Of hi
nj Lord and Saviour have sometimes fount
to one Of his young companions reading him
,rt chapter ut his own request. Once he hut
IA seemed impenetrably sell-righteous, but tn
er more he saw OF Christ in the Gospel, til
I'M more he felt his own condition as a sinner
NO and then how firmly he fastened upon TIL
ey sinner's only Saviour!
III Some who were most unwilling to atten
i'm at first, have proved most constant allei
ng wards. M.was one of my old Sabbath SchoC
M scholars | had gone more than once to in
, i vito him to the class, but lie general
nut escaped when he saw me coming, that h
he might not have to say he would attend
Or. One day found him in the house, and hi
Is, mother showed me handsome Bible, whic
~ an aunt had sent him from Ireland. 'No'
af- NJ | SAID, you are bound 10 come TO Bibl
class, You ure Responsible for owning thi
Bible" lie came the next Sunday, an
me was rarely absent till his marriage and r'
a. moval to another place. lie and his viii
NJ, arenow proiessed followers of Christ.
eu 81 can say little of results, for our FathC
lrd knows it is hest we should not see them FULLY
pc. here. But ] see growing love for III
orl Scriptures IN these young men, and severt
rts have established family worship In the
nd houses We are now studying the Book
yer Exodus. The inexhaustible discoveries {
Christ in the Old Testament, never fail I
zee fix their attention. II is an exceeding priv
M. llege to teach them and to learn with them.
inc In conclusion, we would ask the cordii
red sympathy and help Of all present in our in
nv porant work; AS iron sharpeneth iron, /
an doth the face of man his inend.' IL
Of each subscriber remember that she 6et0n.
lie to this Society, and that there 10 work Il
ase every member, as well as for the Manager
in seeking out the needy and giving thel
Gods word, IN giving OF their means an
se, !. irving to interest others in illis lans
III which has so much ts do with the lulallmei
ply OF our 6avloug's last command.
he May we receive q new impulse for "
- coming year, tonight. Let us begip y
ac year win earnest r55ssH"llntloas ~ Dg ialt9i
re 10 our sacred trust. Let us follow Inc 9 s'Vil
OF each book with persevering praye
de Who can say that IL single copy OF God
nst Word has ever been given in vaing ~
or Philosopher descanls ON the indestruciibili
ear of qold, and yet 1t can only last while tin
NsA' il,,a hp alampnta ahi