The Portland daily press., 1876-06-10
The Bible Society Of nrninc.

In report of the recent anniversary of this
society, held at the Second Parish church, May
list, many interesting facts pertaining to its
operations the past year, and to the great work
were presented. Allusion was also made to
the work of its Bible distributor, Mr.. E. B.
| Stilson. A word now in respect to what he is
accomplishing may be added. He has been
employed about ten months by this society, and
has explored about half the county outside of
| Portland, the rest having been visited by 9TH
| ers. He is now at work in this CITY,
| In making personal visit to every family in
| each town, not neglecting any of the by-ways,
he has had an experience of deep interest and
| sometimes of sadness. He finds households
rarely if ever entered by the religious teacher or
| the feet of Christian sympathy. In many of
| them are persons eager to receive the Bible,
| and in some of them those needing and glad to
receive religious instruction. Gould the de-
| tails of his work be laid before the churches,
they would present strong appeal for more
personal visitation on their part to those whom
distance, or poverty, or other circumstances
keep from Sabbath assembly.
One old gentleman, who six years ago bought
a nice Bible for five dollars, under reverses-
sickness of himself and wife-had felt obliged
" IcbuIu III anu ASK lOF Tue money. lie 0aQ q
small type testament which he could not read.
He said he cried when he carried back his BIZ
BILE. But he could not express his gratitude on
receiving plain but legible one from Mr.. Still
son.
An old lady, member of church, could only
raise sixteen cents to buy Bible to replace the
one she had lost in moving. She expressed the
warmest gratitude on being furnished with
Bible she could read. She would now be able
to go to Sabbath School. A man who had no
&c l,Ax Il
get no work and had no money. The distrbu-
tor seeing pack of cards in his possession pro-
posed an exchange. Swap even," said the
man hesitatingy eyes," said the man. The
exchange was made.
4 poor woman wished she could get her little
boy to read the Bible. "Buy me one and |
will" said the boy. But she had no money. A
testament was presented, and about a week
after the boy took special pains to inform Mr..
Stilson, as he was passing, that he had read it
great deal.
10 one family where thers was no Bible, the
mother and daughter had recently become in
terested in religion, and the daughter said if
she had Bible now she should attend Sabbath
School. The father was asked if he did not
wish to buy Bible. He responded with ter
rible oath, mo! want jug of rum and a
pack of cards more than do Bible" What
work can be more truly benevolent than to sup
ply such mother and daughter with Gods
great fountain of light and consolation?
One family of eight persons was found in this
city dependent for rent fuel, provision and
clothing on six dollars week, earned by the
father. They were very grateful for the gift of
a Bible.
These are specimens of mutitue of cases
in the experience of Mr. Stilson.. Many Cath
olics also receive him cordially, and some pur-
chase Bibles.
OF 1882 families visited in the county, IT'S
had no Bibles; 70 we've Catholics and 1O5 Prot
estants. Of the destitute Protestants 102 were
supplied In Portland he has visited 2783 fam
lilies and found 800 destitute of the Bible, Of
whom 251 were Catholics and II Protestants
Of the latter he has supplied 80, To the form
er he has sold 40.
There IS need of more liberal contributions to
sustain this work, and it cannot be doubted
that the good people of the city and county,
when they understand its nature and import
aDce, will cheerfully contribute the funds nee
eSsary to carry it on. w FL G.