The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-04

SS,3l9 OS
The present balance oftha society above
all its liabilities, old and new, is $3,GG7.4l
In books. If we take as criterion the
proportion between grants and sales made
by the American Bible Socicty's commit
tees, as already stated in this report, as
s7Gl.l6 in sales against S2Sj.45 gratui-
tously distributed. we may conclude that
the &S,792 worth Of books which belong to
the society, here and with its auxiliaries,
will bring in cash 56,39G, besides the pro-
portion expended in gratuit0uS diStribu-
ton. In other words, the resources now
at the command of the society will enable
it to spend about s2,40O in gratuitous dis
tribution, pay off all lis present liabilities,
and have a surplus Of 1913 in the treasury.
This, with the libcrality Of the friends OF
the SOC ,cty and the Bible cause in Virginia,
is the basis from which to estimate the
prospects for the future. And, if it be
compared with the situation year ago,
when the society was without known
auxiliary in existence, with debt OF
50, 500, and with nothing whatever per
contra but faith in God and his people,
the view certainly entities Us TO thank God
and take courage.
The most diScouraging feature in the
present attitude Of our cause consists in
the ineficicncy and supinencss generally
evinccd among those having charge Of the
work as TO the distribution Of the Word OF
Life, even when placed in their hands gra-
tuitously for the purpose. The cause of
this IS to he found partly in the absorbing
claims Of other interests, As already men
toned in this report, partly in the mental
rejection incident to the intense excitement
Of late years, and partly, no doubt, in the
low state o. religion, which all join to
lament, and which inevitably characterizes
and follows period of civil strife.
The Alhcmarlc Society must he men
toned as a noble exception of efficient and
successful labors for the supply of the
county. Her agent, the Rev. G. K. Ross
u name well known and honoTcd for many
wears of faithful service in this causc-is
The only Colportcur now employed in the
service of the Bible Society in the State.
He has been engaged in this work during
the entire year, and the results will, no
doubt, appear in the next annual report of
the Abcmarlc Society.
The Petersburg Society, under the eff
cient presidency Of the venerable Darcy
Paul, is also doing a good work in supply
ing the dcotitutions Of that city.
In the Rockbridgc, Suffolk, Alexandria,
Portsmouth,, and Rockingham Societies
plans have been adopted which, II elli-
cently followed up, will result in much
good. But with these, and perhaps few
other exceptions, the county auxiliaricS,
so far as my information extends, are do
ing but little more than to keep the books
at some convenient place ready for distrl-
button to such OF the destitute as may
happen To hear OF them.
Several measures suggest themselves TO
me as calculated to accomplish great good
in the present crisis:
FUSt.-Thc publishing Of one or series
of appeals to the Christian public-per-
haps a monthly paper-devcloping the pre-
sent and progressive attitude OF the socie-
tv, enumeratng its auXil!arieS, urging
them to taithfulness and the public to libe-
rality in the cause.
Sccond.-A systematic arrangement for
holding meetings at principal points, to be
attended and addressed by members Of the
Board, or other distinguished friends ofthe
cause who might be induced to perform
such a service.
ThTd.-A convention Of the friends OF
the society at Richmond, or number of
provincial conventions assembled At suit
able points, to attract general attention
and gather together the leading friends of
the cause, to spend several days in conf
encc respecting it, and in hearing ad-
dresses on suitable topics from persons
best qualified to lay hold Of the popular
mind, ard arouse it To- just sense of
present Obligations and duties in this mat
ter.
May l venture to suggest the propriety
of having an early meeting of the Board
specially called to consider this subject,
and decide upon the proper steps to be
taken in connection with it.