The New York herald., 1869-05-10
ANNIVERSARY SERVICES In THIS CITY.
THE new YORK BIBLE SOCIETY.

Commemorative Services of Its FOrty.Fiftb
Anniversary.
The Central Methodist Episcopal church on Seventh
avenue near Fourteenth street. was filled last eve
ming by an intelligent congregation to take part in
the commemoration Of the forty fifth anniversary OF
the New York Bible Society. Jonn Z. Parsons, Pre-
sident OF the Society, presided The exercises were
prefaced by singing and prayer. after which S.
Hastings Grant, corresponding secretary. presented
the annual report, embodying the operations OF the
society for the year just ended. The duties or this
society were systematic visitation by Its agents men
every house In the entire city, for the dissemination
OF the Bible. 10 accomplish this the city was divided
RH designs not Of ness s
wants. Other faithful ministers were assigned
another duty, comprising like visltatlons ABOUT %
humane and criminal all vessels III port and all mill
tary posts IN the harbor In the recital of this great
work were many incidents OF startling nature mar
rated regarding the proessed enmty OF portions or
the population regarding the perusal OF h the scrip
lures or allowing copies Of either the Old or New
Testaments in their residences.
The details of the socieys work for the year were
45,972, of which 6,293 were found destitute OF the
Bible and $3.50 supplied by gift or sale, leaving 1904
that refused 1t or were lett unsuppied Tor cause;
number Of volumes furnished families ana indivi-
duals 9,099; hotels and engine houses, 594 Sunday
schools 43O4; public institutions 1854; emigrants,
have supplied seamen on shore 4435 volumes, ana
placed $4,000 Testaments, printed IN English, Ger
grant ships, of which 247 Of these sailed for Cont
mental ports and 200 for ports IN Great Britain and
relandSixtythree newvessels were visited OF which
% were steamers who received the Bible in large
print permanent supplies for their cabins. Again,
14O vessels bound on long voyages and SO from for
egn ports embracing rench, Spanish. Portuguese
and Italian, were carefully visited and supplied,
and also 1859 American vessels bound to Catho-
hc ports. making a total number OF vessels
piled with 2e,777 volumes, besides S,7e4
volumes sold at the ONCE Of the society 10 seamen
and others for s2o5l IS. The total distribution OF
the society for the twelve months has been the cir
culation of l0,391 Bibles, 3d. 423 New Testaments,
1927 parts OF the Bible, and 65S4l volumes, at
cost OF sl4so5 40 The entire receipts for the given
time nave been $24 l97 H. against $2lS0 81 Tor the
Following this report Rev. DR.. Thomas s. Has
tngs of the Forty street Presbyterian church,
delivered an address replete with encouraging
words. regarding the socety's operations He said
American Bible Society from the parent itself. The
American had broad constituency, wide as the
world, while the New york society was more especi-
ally domestic institution, It's work more dennlte
and limited; 1t was a home body, stemmlng the ever
fresh and extending destitution OF this vast city.
He referred to the stracations OF our society," that
It had nothing In common; likened New York to
mighty filter through which was received the thou-
sands OF emigrants from all portions OF the word,
and where the intelligent, better class OF these
wanderers left the city TO seek homes and fortunes
the vast country near the Rocky Mountains whlle
the scum, the worst element, the poorest
the least thrifty and least hopeful stop here, and
then comes wretchedness. In large cities humanity
does its very and best in such are two great
forces-llfe and literature; life below certain level
two great ncarnati0ns OF God, as developed In lie
and literature pass side by side and shake the earth
upon, from which the reverend gentleman at last
deduced words Of praise for the Bible Society In lts
vast work. Other addresses were made by the Rev.
william N Mcvicar Of the Holy Trinity church,
Harlem ana by the Rev. Cyrus d. Foss, of the Trnity
Methodist Episcopal church Of this city, when with
the Doxology and Benediction the large congTega-