Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-03-02
ESTA ABLISHED 1910.

rates many interesting incidentsof the saving
influence of the Word distribntsd. Brother
Solomon Nelson, appointed to look after the
bible interest among his own people, had
made gratifying reports of his work, and in
spired the hope of accomplishing greater
results in the future. But our expectations
from his faithful cooperation were extin-
guished early in the autumn, by his sudden
death from yellow-fever.
DEATH OF MEMBERS.
Since our last anniversary the society has
felt the chastening hand of Divine Proyi-
dence in the death of two members OF the eX-
ecutive committee, namely: Brother Francis
II. Bowman, late pastor of the First Presbyte-
rian church, Memphis, and Marcus e. Coch-
ran; also Sister Mary Patterson Harbour, a
Jealous bible reader. Their demise hath cast
q gloom over the executive committee which
will not soon be dissipate1. Tributes TO their
memories will De found in another part OF
this report. The society, more than ever, need
their counsel and cooperation. In this al
fiicting dispensation we bow in meek resigna-
tion TO the memorable decree OF God, SAYING
"His Will be DONE"
IN THE EMPLOY OF THE SOCIETY.
Rev. D. w Leeth, of Tailahatche county,
and Rev. James A. Burgess. OF Bolivar coun-
ty, Mississippi, and william II Ihomas agent
az Memphis. The latter had been In the SER
vice OF the society for twelve years, prior 10
March, 1872, and had been "a good ana Ialtn-
full servant" IN January last he was ,aPp Ppolht pin
ed bible agent in place OF Rev; W M. ileath-
erwOod who had resigned and entered upon
pastoral work at Salisbury, Tennessee.
INCIDENTAL ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The good effected by the society in the dis
tribution of the scriptures can not be esti-
mated Good seed have been sown; trees have
sprung up and borne abundant fruit, and the
gathering Of souls has been large.
Under the inspiration OF the PsalInlst, 'Oh
Lord, revive Us" revivals have been had Ia
many waste places in which we have laDored; ;
many added to the church, and others, already
within the fold, but who had been weakened
lx-f ri a ions
Letters from colporteus and cooperating
ministers recite many personal incidents OF
the wonder workings of the word upon obdu-
rate and wayward hearts. A deeper Interest
has been awakened among the masses IN the
matter of reading and studying the holy
scriptures, and skeptics have been turned into
diligent Bereans, and now are searching for
the truth, through the gospel light.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.
Al the beginning of this fiscal year, the
American bible society, with its accustomed
uberality, donated to The Memphis and Shell
hy County bible society books to the value of
twenty-five hundred dollars, one thonsand
Our society also.purchased from that society
books to the value of Sl07S rs, no part OF which
has been paid for; consequently we are IN
debt to that amount to the American bible
CONCLUSION.
We cannot conclude this report without
making personal mention OF one of the true
men OF israel, who, for thirty years, has been
connected with and a sentinel over the inter-
egus of this society. We allude to Colonel
Ethel H. Porter, the president thereof, who,
by his zeal and positive energy, has contrib
uted very much to the efficiency and upbulld-
ing of the cause in this field. During the re-
cent yellow-fever epidemic, when hearts OF
men, always brave In other battles, trembled
in contemplating the desolatng deeds
of the fell destroyer, Brother Porter,
ly-distressing domestic affiiclion. The fever,
fastening a terrible hand upon his family,
loosened it not until his life companion, his
son-in-law, Judge Swayne, and grandson,
Porter Swayne, had been cut down in death.
To intensity the affiicton, he and daughter
were seized with the disease, and recovered
only after long and critical Illness. In this
triple sorrow, Brother Porter sat resignedly at
his tent door, saying, "Behold, God is mighty
The sympathies of the society go out un-
mixedly toward our faithful co-worker, and
we pray that his sorrow may be sanctif1ed to
his eternal good. And may he long survive to
counsel with succeeding executive commit
tees Of the society.
At the conclusion of the report, the follow
Ing hymn, read by Rev. l.. G. Taylor, was
sung:
What glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
ItgiVes light to every age
1t gives, but borrows none.
The hand that gave II, still supplies
His gracious light and heat;
His truths upon the nations rise
ADDRESS BY Mr.. JOHN JOHNSTON.
Mr.. John Johnston, OF this city, made an
address upon the bible, telling how tnvalua-
BILE it was in directing The religion of the
world. In the hour of mans despair, when
human wisdom had fed, came the revelation
OF It's truth. The grand story of the creation,
on that bright, beautiful morn, was the first
story 1t told. 1t next told the sad story of Eve
and inutterable agony; then of a holy and
angry God ; OF Adams outcast and the curse
upon his descendants. 1t told of Abel's blood
crying out in retrtbution against his brother.
The bible, because OF its revelations concern
ing the destiny and Immortality of the soul,
to the questions concerning which the oracles
of earth had never given an answer, must
prove inestimable, as it is. The truth and
light OF the bible beams brightly on the earth,
tinging even a shadow OF doubt with the
sanctity OF light. 1t was ladder mounting
from the earth to the heavens; the truth of
God coming down TO man, and mans ardent
vows going up TO God.
The blessings the bible had conferred upon
society, commerce, art, science, morality and
civilization were next set forth in beautiful
language by the speaker, whose voice was not
so loud as II should have been. Wherever the
bible and its truth had been ditfused, the
country blooms and blossoms like rose. Its
benign Influences softened the bitterness and
grief Of the poor and the outcast in their mis-
fortunes. Its great spirit of charity reached
the ragged child Of the street, and to all of
earth's afflicted, sorrowing children IL spoke
of Christ, who humbled himself for his love
TO mankind. Its silent power has been felt
shaking the destin1es of men and countries.
The address was replete, and its composition
was chaste, elegant and brilliant.
The following hymn, read by Rev. A. Z.
Baldwin, was next sung:
stand up, stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cr0ss
Lin high H1sroyal banner,
II must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory
His army must be led,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesusi
The strife will not be long;
This day, the noise of battle
The Dext, the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
A crown Of life shall be;
He. with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternallV,