The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-15
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Bible Distribution in Virginia Among Colored
People.

1t may be matter of interest to the friends Of
the Virginia Bible Society to know what we are
doing in the way Of supplying the great restitution
the last four years every application made by this
people for Bibles and Testaments Tor their Sunday
schools, that was properly vouched for, has been
most cheerfully met by the Board. In the colpor
tage work no distinction has ever been made, and
the colored people who could read have been as
cheeriully supplied with the Scriptures as the
white people who were destitute. Learning that
in some counties there was very great restitution
among these people, and great desire to secure
the Bible, special efforts have been made to meet
this want; and owing to the fact that it would be
quite expensive to employ Colporter Tor this spe-
has worked very successfully. Through some rell-
able and intelligent colored people we learned that
in the counties of King William, King and Queen,
and Gloucester, there were thirty Sabbath Schools
that were almost entirely without Bibles or Testa'
meDts Through the generosity of some friends
the Virginia Bible Society was able to make
grant of 1000 Testaments to meet this want. An
appointment was made at colored Baptist church
10 King and Queen, near Walkerton, for me to
meet the colored people on Sabbath the 18th inst.
carried with me twenty-four Bibles and fifteen
Gospels in large type. ! found on my arrival
large congregation Of well-dressed and well behaved
colored people. After some devotional exercises
and explaining the nature of the work In which
the Virginia Bible Society was engaged, and that
its purpose and wish was to supply every destitute
family with copy Of the Holy Scriptures as rapid
" as the means could be furnished | arranged for
dividing the one thousand 1estaments among thir-
ty Sabbath Schools report of which will be given
by the SupeIiutendants. Then [ desired to know
how many heads Of families in this large congrega
ton could read Some half dozen arose. l then
asked how many had children that could read, and
nearly every head of family in the house arose,
showing that nearly every family has some child
that could read. then requested those who had
Bible or Testament in their families to stand up;
only some half dozen arose. The colored ministers
assured me there were but very few Bibles among
their people in that whole section. then opened
the bundle of Bibles and Gospels, and explained
how they could get them, viz: by the payment OF
forty cents for Bible, and twenty cents for the
Gospel. There was such rush to the pulpit to
get Bible and the Gospel, that the minister had
to order one to come at time. With their forty
cents and twenty cents in hand they came until all
were taken for cash. but Bibles. These were
taken, and the money pledged to their pastor next
Sabbath Finding | had not enough to meet their
wants. then requested those who wished the Cos
pei in large type, to stand up, and fifty aged people
stood up, willing to pay when the books are sent.
then requested all who wished copy of the Bible
to stand up, and twenty-tour arose.
The scene and the circumstance most deeply
impressed me with the importance Of this blessed
work in which the Society is engaged. Such eager
ness to secure copy Of the Bible have never
seen as was manifested yesterday and the Sabbath
before, by these colored congregations. Other
nQregations which have heard OF these visits are
anxious to have me visit them for the purpose Of
furnishing them also with the Bible, after these
two experiments feel quite confident if we had
suitable men to visit the colored churches in the
country, we could supply this desti;uion with far
less expense and labor, and in much less time than
nv the colportage system. NJ. w. STAPLES.