Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-11

by NUMBER OF Well-kDoWn amateurs.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
At half past seven the Voluntary was
sung by the choir. Then followed In the
following order:
(3J. Reading the Scriptures I Hon. j. Z. Ffippln.
~. Prayer. .-.--------.---.-.. Rev. X h Mahon.
20. Hymn. By the Choir.
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. PRESIDENTIAL occasion like the
present should be very interesting and i'm
pressive one Whatever may be our demon
national differences or peculiaritles, our
coming together thus, year after year, with
such marked results to report, certainly at
tests our unanimity and zeal in the great
work of circulating, simply, without note or
comment, the one Book which we all recog-
nize as the only infalllble rule of faith and
practice. But, brethren, interesting and i'm
pressive as are these anniversary exercises
ordinarily, there is reflection which we can
not repress, well calculated to soften and
solemnize our feelings on this particular &C.
casion. Since last we gathered here, terri
bic pestilence has swept over our city and the
surrounding country. The harvest of death
was appalling. The shadows of the severe
aff1iction are but slowly withdrawn. There
are hearts here tonight, and others abroad
in our community, still sensitive from the
shock, and burdened with the great SORROWS
of this fearful visitation from the Almighty.
1t seems a pleasing thought to us that some,
at least, of those so suddenly called to their
final account, may have been cheered and
sustained in their last moments by the
precious word of divine truth, supplied
through our instrumentalities. In the midst
OF the general Bereavement and desolation,
we are called upon to record, this year, the
death of twelve of the members of our execu.
tive communicative ministers and ten lay
men. Among the latter was our treasurer,
Mr.. J. A. Simmons. Others were stricken
and brought down ''to the gates of the
grave" who in Gods Astounding mercy were
spared to US. But, leaving it to the special
com mittee appointed for that purpose to pre-
sent suitable tribute touching the deceased
members of our executive committee, we turn
us now to consider what we have done during
the year, and what the outlook for the future.
Of course, the epidemic seriously interrupted
our work. That In the city was en-
tirely suspended. Our c5lporteurs in the
country worked on, most OF them, until
their stock Of books became too much re-
duced; and, as this occurred, they also
suspended operating. This your sub-execu-
tive committee upon conference in the outset
deemed the best policy. The secretary kept
up communication with the colporteurs, re-
ceivIng their reports and letters regularly
and giving to the business such attention as
the circumstances required. NotwIthstand-
ing the Interruptions alluded to, we show
some work done each month, and, upon the
whole results quite satisfactory in the ag-
glegate. We have had in our employ during
the year: Rev. Z. w. Richardson and Messrs.
J. M. Finn. A. L. Walton, F. J. Foster, NJ
J. Smith, J. | Jacobs, A. A. Wilson, E. w.
Harris, Z. D. Shepherd and r. I. Anderson
10 the country, and Mr.. VIM. Mcconnell in
the city. These brethren have performed
842 days work; have visited H. 738 white and
II, 233 colored families, finding 1867 white
and Bats colored families destitute and sup
plying 1888 white and 1913 colored fami-
lies and 419 individuals. The average desti-
tuition is about one in fourteen of the white
and nearly one in three of the colored fami-
lies. Our distributors have sold 2543 bibles,
3001 testameDts and 597 portions of scrip
ture OF the value of $2234 II. They have
donated 688 bibles, 838 testaments and $50
portions amounting to 1865 40. Total vol
umes distributed, 82l7; total value of same,
$I738 76 and adding to this the value of
the books distributed, freigkts, and supervis
ing and Incidental expenses, and we have as
the total cost of the work $4771.60. Oktib-
beha, Noxubee, Chickasaw and Winston
counties in Mississippi have been canvassed
ent re during the year. The following
counties, previously begun, have been COM
pleted: Carroll, in Tennessee; and Ahala,
Choctaw and Lowndes, in Mississippi. Some
work has been done also in Shelby county
outside of Memphis; some in Madison county,
Tennessee, and some IN Pontotoe, Mississippi.
With the completion of some three or four
counties, already begun, we will have brought
the canuass of West Tennessee and north
present feld-up, say, to
1875. The American bible society has con-
tinued to meet all demands made upon it, |
having donated us two thousand dollars
worth of books during the year fJr the prose-
cutl0n OF cur work. Shall we not, In return
for all its generous aid, do what we can TO |
further the accomplishment Of It's good mis-
SION, Of giving the bible to the world? And, =
now brethren, what is our present attitude I
TO the work? More than three years ago, at 1
5ae request of the parent society, we as !
Iumed the responsibility of supervising the !
matter Of distribution IN all of West Tennes- /
zee and north Mississippi. We have can ;
7assed most of this territory; but, with |
population so migratory, and so rapidly !
changing, 1T is important the people should 1
lave frequent opportunities of supplying !
themselves with the scriptures And here, in /
his city-one Of the prominent gateways to |
he west and southwest-there is need for |
constant work. Then, let us stand in our
OF, equipped and ready to meet any respon-
Utility, which God, in his Providence, may
IevOlve upon us.
t. H. RICE, Secretary.
a. Report Of auditing committee Hon. To Latham
a6dTass ~ o Ine cTRgFsg gSILO
w. AuuIcsS---- HULL u W. holSkoll 1
Judge HeiskelI delivered most interest
Dg ard eloquent address on the subject,
The Christ of the Bible" The address
,sted some forty minutes and was delivered
4 an impressive manner. l. was a learned
nd classical piece Of composition.
.O) Hymn. BY the choir
IL CollectlOn-Au Audience waited upon by Messrs.
]. h. NJ Ddvitt, E. T. StaTks, K. A Shields,
Bun. F. Price, John Johnston, Il. NJ Raglan.
70 Report of memorial committee, Rev. s. Lam
drum, d. d.
Oar reporter was unable to secure DR.. Lam
runs interesting report for publication.
ymn. By the congregation
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The pastors of all cooperating churches in
lP CITY are er Oflici0 vica- nresidanfs Of the [