Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-10-23
THE BIBLE.
Report of the Executive COMMITTEES OF
the Memphis and shelby County
Bible Society.

A copv of this report is before us. From
il We learn that 1929 white and 1913 colored
persons have been visited by the oolpor-
teurs of the society during the seven
months ending on the 30th OF Septem-
Der, and,that of these 2425 white M 1881
eoiorsd persons were found destitute OF
the scriptures, being in the proportion OF
one in four Of whites and IN one anu
three.fourths of blacks.
In addition to the foregoing, Rev. Hem
~ 7, Gregory reports b organization OF
four Sunday schools, and a doz9n or more
srmon preached in ou~t-of-the-way
places. Doubtless each colporteur has
performed more or less OF similar IAO1t;
but regarding such as incidental 20 the
work, he has Jailed to report. This is 70
be regretted, as it is desirable to hsve a
complete and sccurate record OF every
thing done. The Ladies' Bible Society 70.
ports one conyersion-a young man who
has recently died. II we had the space,
q number Of heart moving incidents
might be given. But with reference TO
these, we have room for only two general
remarks: /. Repeated illustrations are
given of the fact that, stripped OF all tenn
poral goods and wanting the necessaries
of life, the trusting heart is more than
compensated for these deprivstions by
receiving q double portion of "the riches
Of grace in Christ Jesus IA "peace
~ ANG4 AL9 MOAAA SoA 80 49,
take away" 2. The poor and the dis
trsssed receive the gospel 'glsdly."
Mr. J NJ Bssttie, treasurer, reports n
funds On hand"
MI W II Thomas, agent, reports only a
few books in the depository, with 5000
worth 1.-THE last installment of a grant OF
books to the value of s2000(, on the way
from the American Bible Society, Q
York.
Taunesses-Mr A A Wilson, Decatur
county; Mr. D K Cockreham, bluff and
wharf. Memphis. These last will COM
mence their work early in October.
Mississippi-Mr 8 + Porter, LAHORE
county; Rev Frank A Lawrence, Pontotoc
county; Rev Thos J Taylor, Choctaw
county; Rev James B Oswald, Marshall
county.
Arkansss-Rev Henry T Gregory,
Craighead county; ReY W ] Ross, Phil
lips county; Rev A G Griffin, Poinsett
county; Rev W c Malone, Cross county;
Mr. NJ ] Cratic, st Francis county; Mr.
Jasper Sibsrt, Green county.
The Ladies' Bible Society has in its en-
ploy Mrs Kesterson, her whole time at $50
per month; Mrs Harbour, a portion of
her time, at $50 per month.
ESTIMATES FOR THE FUTURE
The I3.2O7 families reported, were Wis
Nh1A4 III al 49,
the good people within the field of our
operations will come to u help to the
mount Of $1,000, We pledge ourselves,
Providence favoIiDg US, to have 1900
families visited. and the destitute sup
piled with the Word of God, by our an
niversRry, March 1, 1872. These 17,OOO
families represent not less than $4,000
souls, of whom, at least %, 600 are totally
destitute of the Scriptures, and of these,
a large proportion are as ignorant OF the
way of salvation as IL living in a heather
land. Is it not, indeed q great work,
worthy the effort, and commensurate
with the cost, to place the Word Of God
in the homes of $4,000 families, compr1s-
ing 1901 600 immortal souls, in twelve
months?
The American Bible Society, New York,
has done nobly by us. Leaving out of
the count the tens of thousands of vol
umes donated to the Southern soldiers
during the war, and the thousands to
county societies in the Southwest, that
society has brought us under renewed
obligations of gratitude since the close of
the war, by sending as a gift, more than
100 600 volumes for distribution by this
society. Is it not time that, not only
christians in the city, but christians cut
side Memphis and Shelby county, should
emulate such acts of brotherly love, by
contributing in money, literally, TO the
blDle- cduB6I
Rev. s. P. Written, agent Of the Amer
lean Bible Society, has rendered us all
the assistance in his power.
ADMINISTRATORS.
Owing to the low price (sctusl cost of
~prOduclion) at which the scriptures are
sold, and the large number given away to
the poor, enough money is not realized
from the sales to pay the wages of the col
portsurs, and to defray the incidental ex-
penses of the work; and the oolpOrteurs
are not paid extrsysgsntly Tor their SER
vices. The usual terms are $40 to $50 and
travelling expenses, for twenty-six days
work, the distributor to give his undi-
vided time, and furnish himself with a
horse and vehicle. They are not allowed
to carry, or sell any other books or peri
odicals. They visit OF an average, each,
fifteen families daily, less or more as
the country is thinly or densely popu-
lated.
William II. Thomas, agent, with the ex-
csDtion of q few weeks relaxation in May,
has devoted his earnest and unremitting
attention to the duties of his office. His
labors have been arduous and his services
invaluable. He is authorized to go
through the city. and the country, and
make personal solicitations for the mate
rial aid so sadly needed, that this good
work may go on.