Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-20
Local. ITEMS.

tNNlVERSARY oE TIE ALEXANDRIA BIBLE
SoClETY.-Thc anniversary of this society was
held last night in the NJ E. Church South
There was fair representation of the various
churches present, which would have been
greatly increased, but for the very untavorablc
weather The President of the society +. f.
Wilmer, esq, accompanied by Rcvs McsSrS
Sprigg and Mckim. aud the pastor of the
church, Dr. Busey. occupied the pulpit. Mr.
Wilmer opened the meeting with few re-
marks, saying that the object of the society
should appeal to the hearts Of all; that this
and kindred societies were doing a great wor (
in the land, but that Notwithstanding the work
accomplished in the past he had learned that
in the last census of this city families were
found destitute Of theWord Of God. He hoped
that the result Of this meeting would be the
providing every household in this entire
community with Il copy of that blessed work,
which is so sure a lamp to the path, and a
guide to the feet. Rev. Mr.. Sprigg announced
the hymn,
Jesus lover of my SOUL
Let me to thy bosom fy,
after which Rev. Mr. Mckim addressed the
meeting in the interests of the society," and
strongly urged the importauc of sustaining every
society which had for its object so wide and so
blessed purpose in view He said he was
struck with the thought as he was handed the
notice of this meeting to be read from his pull
pit, that only sixty or seventy years ago no
such notice could have been read, as there did
Lot exist in all America Bible Society until
the formation of the American Bible Society
in 1877, and drew vivid picture Of the vast
work accomplished siucc that time, reminding
his hearers that because the Bible had been
made so accessible it was none the less pre-
clouS, and calling upon all TO review the mercles
Of God, which they had become SO accustomed
to, as perhaps to be forgctfui Of the beneficial
giver. Last summer he had passed through
lands where the Bible was a scaled book, not
withstanding the gigantic machinery IN use to
put the Bible in the hands OF the whole world
The British and Foreign Bible Society has Is
sued in the last fifty years forty five million
copies at au expense Of three million dollars.
1t must be born in mind that these societies
are the authorized channels of distribution Of
this Holy Book, and hence the imperative ne
cessity for sustaining them literally. Mr.. Nc
Kim referred with impassioned eloQuence TO
the growing tendency OF the age toward lntl-
deity, and demonstrated the power Of the
Bible to counteract this tendency if placed
within the reach of the people, and read TO
such as could not read it themselves, among
whom were many of the colorcd people so re-
Gently come into the exercise of important
privileges, and who, especially need the light
and power of God holy truth to guide them,
closing with an earuest appeal to his hearers 10
aid the good work Of the society in sending
forth the Bible.
Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benlghted
The lamp OF life deny?
After singing the hymn,
Rock of Ages Cliff for me
Let me hide myself in thee
Mr. Wilmer explained the absence OF the
other speakers who were to address the meet
Ing, and then introduced Rev. Mr.. Sprigg,
who drew an interesting and effective parallel
between the objects of the Bible Society and
the call crnanating from the Church OF Eng
land, and united in by the ?. +. Church OF
America for day Of special prayer to God
that he might send forth harvesters into His
harvest He said that there were eight nun
.lrcd millions Of souls living on this earth who
had never heard the sound Of the Gospel, nor
heard the name Of Jesus. Is it to be won,
dcrcd at that good men in England aud America
had looked appalled, at this state OF affairs, and
in their inability to cope with 81 tormrtabIc an
undertaking had in their weakness dettrminc4i
10 call upon Ga1, who has might to save and
is strong TO deliver OF these eight hundred
millions there arc six hundred million who are
living in civilized nations; growing and expand,
ing nations Say Turkey, China, Japan and
India. China is not dying nation, she has
three hundred million; India has two hundred
million. Is nothing to be done for all these
millions Of perishing souls? Mr., Sprisg. al
though not expecting to address the meeting,
seemed fully prepared for the occasion and
discussed the cause Of the Bible with an earn
ncstncss and torcc which vislbIy Impressed the
assembly. NJ. Wilmer closed the meeting
with some fitting remarks, explaining at the
conclusion that it was not proposed so take up
collection, but that he had no doubt the peo,.
pic of Alexandria would be ready to respond
when called upon in the interest OF the Alex
;.niria Bible Society. Tho, meeting was dls-
missed by singing the Doxology and recclvln
Inc Bencdiction from Rev. DR.. Busey.
SMALL PoX.-Thcre have been no new cases
of small pox reported since Monday iast' anu
& ! ,pon noD