National Republican., 1874-05-11

1estament and over 10 varieties OF the Bible 10
Christisn srfs done by any W orTaniIation in the
history OF the world has been performed by IBIS
society In perrectins and publishing and distrip-
THE BIBLE FOR the BLIND.
entire Bible In raised letters for the blind II Is
puelfshed in eight and In sixteen Iolio yoiunss'
lke actual cost IF the former Is tmenty hts
and OF tho latter twenty-eight dollars al which
rrees the sets are sold. The New Testament
may be had either In two or four volumes, costing
eps!Eeiy sDss hTe snS reame Wien sold for one
dollar and half Any Of the volumes may DC
The stersotSpe plates from which this magnin.
cent book is printed cost tho of thirteen thou
sand dollars, and the society has already pre-
pared and put into circulation over seven thou
asmuch as the blind, as class, are unable TO pur
chase.
This department. Of the society's work impres
sively illustrates Its benevolent character. II
would DO impossible to estimate the blessings
that have attended its distribution Of the Scrip
lures among the blind; and the most affecting
testimony might Dc cited to the comfort and JOY
produced by this instrumentality. In Its efforts
TO scatter these precious volumes among class sc
greatly afflicted, and large majority oi whom
friends.
Since fits organization to May s, 1878 the society
had pu ublished and distributed 07s2 IA copies oil
the Scriptures.
THE PLAN OF OPERATION
followed by the society is to reach the various
sections oil the country through the auxlliary Y
societies. and 10 operate in foreign lands through
the regularly authorized Christian missionaries
Thus all this part of the work is done without
cost. Thirty-five experimenting agents are en-
ployed to district the United States and operate
among the local societies, keep up more lively
interest and quicken the spirit of liberality
among the people; During the year ending in
May, 1873, the publications Of the society num-
har
$50, $50 copies were distributed in the United
States alone. The gratuitous work OF that year
amounted TO S253, ,s65.32 During that year. and
six preceding years 55s 3S7 destitute families and
individuals were gratuitously supplied with the
Bible. The society furnishes an excellent plain
copy of the New Testament for ten cents, and Of
the entire Bible, substantially bound, for forty
cents.
THE WORK UNsEcTARIAN.
The benefactions OF this society are not limited
by any distinctions Of property, OF social position
responsibility resting upon the board is to see
that to the poor the gospel is preached, through
the circulation Of the written word.
Its work far reaching: Its Bibles are read with
deyout attention in church and chapel, in stately
mansions and in humble cabins, on vessels and
railroads, in hospitals and asylums, in prisons
and lails. The entering Of Gods word has given
light to the blind. The words Of Jesus have
lifted up tho ignorant aud debased out OF the
depths Of mental imbecility and moral pollution,
and made them wise unto salvation. Parents in
their households, Bible readers among the poor,
preachers in their pulpts, Sunday school teachers
IN their classes, have read TO attentive ears the
bles, the cpisties, which make up this precious
book, and SO have published the gospel. Not in
our language alone Is @ the Word Word Of the Lord d
tongues, 1t has the same power over the intellect
and heart; and IT may be in the years to come
that the new versions which this society has been
to forward and to circulate which it is
now engaged In making and distributing, will
exert on nations and on men power comparable
To those cognizsnt of the grand operation OF
this first and foremost Of American beneVolences
no comment is needed TO secure an unqualified
support. But 1t is a lamentable fact that many
intelligent people know little or nothing OF the
noble work which ii is accomplishing. In making
the issue Of the Scriptures meet the popular de-
mand-in donating these freely to the destitute,
in giving Bibles and money to fceble auxiliary
societies, in the supply Of destitute Sabbath
schools, in its efforts TO place the Bible IN the
common schools Of the land, in distributing the
Word of God to seamen, In distributing IL in
hotels, railroad trains and steamboats,; In sup
plying humane and criminal institutions, In
placing IL in the hands of immigrants in their
native tongues, in its distribution among the
freedmen, in its special efforts to supply all peo
pie everywhere, without distinction Of any kind,
with the Scriptures-this society has operated
before the eyes of the public over half century,
with singleness Of purpose, purity OF manage
nent and an efficiency which makes 1t the friend
and protector OF society In all its branches. Not
content with this seemingly exhaustive effort, 1t
conceived and executed tine grand plan of having
the national recognition Of the Bible from all the
sovereigns Of earth.
THE SCRIPTURES IREsENTER TO THE RULERS OF
THE EARTH.
In the autumn of $780, one of the vice presidents
Of the American Bible society, John Tappau, esq.,,
Of Massachusetts, placed one thousand dollars In
the hands OF the board OF managers, to deiray the
expense Of presenting copy OF the Bible to each
1f the reigning monarchs, and other chief magis-
rates OF the world. The managers cheerfully
to assume the responsibility Of this
cf. naHn tad afl
,he Hon. Theodore FreInghuysen, president of
he society; Hon. Luther BTadlsh and John Tap
pan, ESQ.,, vice presidents; Rev. John q. Brigham,
D. D., one OF the corresponding secretaries, and
Caleb T. Rowe, esq, general agent Of the society,
% carry out the noble purpose.
Accordingly copy of the soclety's imperial
Iuarto English Bible, bound with more than or
iinary Ghre and expense, was sent to each OF the
thief magistrates OF the world, accompanied with
courteous Christian letter; and from many Of
hem replies were received, acknowledging the
gift, and expressing most satisfactory and noble
toward this institution. This cores
1ondence would constitute volume Of rare in
crest.
THE WASHINGTON SOCIETIES.
AS q sample of the local work done In many
,ites Of the Union attention is invited to the fol-
owing extract from the last annual report of the
society Of this city, which had en-
1loyed as its agent or colporteur Rev. N. Cobb:
During the year his field OF labor has been in
he First, Second, Third and Fourth wards Of the
ity; he has visited s,l94 families, and found 6S3
comprising z4oE PeItOnsJ nItnOut any pOIliOn VI
he Scriptures; he supplied III; and $40 refused.
Since this work was undertaken, Mr.. Cobb has |
Tisted 1888 families and found ,342 destitute,
'f whom he has supplied 40. This exploration |
has revealed the fact that aearly l0 per cent. OF
,ur population are living without copies Of the |
Word Of God These figures fail to give any ade- |
Iuate idea Of the work done, and space forbids |
my narration Of incidents
Eight Bibles TO watchmen in the Treasury De- |
90 Testaments to reform school: 20 b.
lles to Columbia Institution; 5 Bibles and 20
restaments to Tennallytown; q Testaments to |
Pioneer Sabbath School, Potomac City, d. e.; Is |
Bibles to Methodist Protestant Mission, Capitol |
iill $50 Bibles (stamped with name) to Willard's
1otel:e0 Bibles stamped with name) to Kirkwood |
House; II Bibles (German) 10 Lutheran Mission, |
street, Islands Bibles and Tes-
aments to pastors and members Of the Board
Managers for destitute persons.
The above were all gratuit0us distributions.