The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-03

TuE VIRGINIA BABLE SOCIETY
FIFTY-SlSTH ANNIVERSARY.
Interesting Report Of the Board OF
Managers.
ADDRESSES, DC.

The fi:rv-ninth anniversary Of the Bible
society Of Virginia was held last night III
-. Paui's EEpiScopaD church, and there was
m unusually large audience in attendance.
Ihr exercises of the evening were opened
ly singing the 10th hymn ana by prayer.
IMPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.
The annual report of the Board Of Man.
MRS was read hy Rev. John Il. Edwards,
y u Of the Broad-Strect Methodist church.
Tpr Following is au abstract of the report:
The Board start out by saying that al
though we have reason to lament that
;, i;tic has been accomplished in our own
d,Hd. vet we can rcioice in the grand results
..hlryrd bv other and kindred institutions
tl,inc the past year.
Ii was only IN the beginning of the pres
,a, century that the idea of Bihe society
,tr The printing and circulating Of the Scrip
:nr,.> was conceived In 1904 the first, the
.Nriri>h Foreign Bible Society" was OF
.,n.5yu. To-day this Society has auXiliaries
.u., branches in every part of her dominlons
~Dllc her agencies are at work Ill almost
ry"ry nation. In 1916 the American Bible
-,nc.otv w:,> organized. In the organization
a the American Bible Society. the FirSinia
ii,lc society. originating in 1914, was repre-
,,ut.d 10y one whose name is honored in nj
f3a churches. This Society, whose issues the
.ir>t wear were only about 5000 volumes. ll;'s
...uWn to magnificent proportions. There
a."4.lS9 societies. 5000 branches auxiliary
TIT. located in all parts 0! her extensive ter.
!r'ayy.
YHrrr are thousands and thousands of
,nc,.iiul volunteers engaged in carrying the
slide 10 the homes Of the destitute. During
the last five years 2,992, / 10 families have been
visited 42G, ,G95 families and individuals and
5000 Sabath-schools have been supplied
Among the many noble acts of charity OF
tin, Great catholic institution during the
,,af 1870, she donated to the Sunday-Scloo
Z Eaarpi ui the Southern Baptist Association
4 -,n0 volumes.
There are ci@hty-two other societies on
,a.,d in printing and circulating the Bible
Already, in our day, 100, 100000 copies of the
Wrrd OF God, in 252 different languages ant
dialects. have gone forth from their presses
carving the good news of Saviour's dcatl
- gladden. the neartS Of millions of our SOL
rowing and sinful race.
III the review Of our own special work
,I,rinc the year now closing, we have much
tor which TO hc -rttetul--much 10 stimulate
% greater activity. But little was done IL
TIC way Of IN organized effort during the
Hy~t half Of the present year. When the
secretary and General Agent entered upon
'l'> duties in October the operations of the So
rir;y had ceased except the selling and distr
hG,on Of Bibles at the depository.
Early in October the Board inauguTnted
nrw measures for the more systematic
thorough, and successful prosecution OF the
Lie work. The State was divided into dis
Y;r;a.t9lye under TIC supervision Of district
IL, al Il h., IN ~
a1lyiliaries and committees in every county
TO arrange for supply of Bibles sufficient
irr the Immediate wants of each county, to
present the claims of this Society to churches
and ecclesiastical bodies, to take up collections
and solicit contributions, TO superintend the
work OF distribution, to settle the accounts
cf auNiliaries-and. in fact, to attend to
every interest touching this great work in
their respective fields.
IN November Rev. MesSrs. Rowe and
Prilchctt Were called to the work. MIR. Rowe
was assigned TO the Southeastern District
In December he entered upon his duties, and
although greatly hindered by succession OF
unpleasant Sabbaths and generally very bad
Weather, he has succeeded beyond our eX.
s..Ctations, and shown al adaptation to the
work which gives promise OF great useful
I-~-.
Mr.. Prtchett was assigned to the
Northeastern District. Soon after his ap-
ointment he was laid aside by sick
u..>-. and could not enter upon his
duties until the beginning of March !;
nee which time he has been very success
in. and if his health holds out will accom-
r,i,h good work. In December. Rev.
\lus,rS. Smith and Hoyle were secured. who
entered upon their duties in january. Mr..
I!n.In was assigned to the Southern Central
district, where, amid many difficulties, he
ha, accomplished much, and gives pronl-
i'e Of eminent success. Mr.. Smith was
assigned to the Western District. In the
poorer and most destitute sections, amid
nov and rain, he has prosecuted his work,
"nrmounting difficulties, exhibiting an en-
cry which must excite admiration and Sc
cure in the end rich reward. Having been
-.ru%ed so short Il time IN the work we can
'i.e,rlv a brief synopsis Of their labors and
r'>G!Ls $50
AOXiliaricSnrganized,2 "a !; addresses deliver
'd, 93; letters written, l34; money collected,
about 81 200: subscriptions, about 5000; miles
travelled, 3,42l. In addition, the Secretary
aud General Agent has travelled about 2,200
'nlc-, written about 1900 letters. and de-
Eercd 33 addresses in behalf OF the Bible
,uI,c.
NJ holTt>On was secured In january 10
'tn'ass and supply the destitute in the city
II kichnond. We call special attention to
TT report: Families visited, 2.503; families
HNl'l,itc Of Bibles, All families supplied,
"N: : amount collected, SJ997. .fFF 9.E*'
The plans inaugurated by the Board for
u" more thorough and systematic prosecution
u lis mission eontemplates the employment
u "a number of colportors, who, in their
'"i>>lon, shall not oniyssrisilthe more accessi-
&C >ections, but especially penetrate into the
most secluded parts of our State, and carry
i!' blessed Gospel with its life-giying power
- lle homes of those who never hear the
,@d tidinss from the lips OF the living minis
''f. The colportase system is regarded by
'he Board rs the most thorough and oconomi-
,id. =.
Progress has been made in the work OF re-
":sanlzation, although agents have bean en-
%'Sed but short time. The Aibemarle Bible
>'cie'y, ccntrins in Charlottesville, il the
Only one Of the auxiliaries which could be
rHi1icd into active efficient operation; Others
AVE had nominal existence. A fine stock
.. Bibles Is always kept ut Charlottesville
,hder the energetic management of Rev. Mr..
h9Ss, large number of which are annually
S'!d. The county is also kept thoroughly