Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-08-16
An Appeal In Behalf of the Virginia
Bible society

his society is now supplying With the Sacred
scriptures hundreds of fsmlie. and individu sls
Ia inns slate who otherwise would never possess
the ord of Lifs"
pioyed IN supplying the destitute with the Scrip.
lures, either By sale at or below cost, or ty do.
nation, according to the means of the person OF
family visited but in no case departing without
lesvlng tina Word of God. Out of 54l families
visited In this city, both among the white and
colcred CT families were found entirely destitute
OF the Bible or Testament, the great majority
NOT oelrg able to purchase copy of either.
alexandra county was found to be even more
destitute CT the Scriptures than the city. Full Y
one seventh Of the people some white, but MOST
~ colored families. were living without possess
ing the Word Of Life. In some parts of the city
md county much ignorance and destitution of
the Scriptures Prevail. 1t may seem very strsn pe
10 many Christians not informed on the subj ect
inst there should be Thousands in this favored
Ola State without even q loaf Of the Word of
Lille \ at such is the lsme ulable fact, and were
not TINS Wcrd brought to tneir houses and given
To tnem they would likely remain al their lives
without copy
And now while such destituton has bsen
found to Prevail here among u.s. yet, according
TO the soclety's report, one third of the entire
Wn!te population in those portions of the State
~hlcn border on kentucky md Tennessee were
iound without Bible. Last yesr the so ,ietv
EN- oloyed twenty missionary colporteura, whose
lume or serVca varied from TWO to Twelve
months. Their duty in visiting Was to leave 10
family destitute OF u copy Of the Scriptures in
some form or other.
In the prosecution of their work thoy bsve
Travelled $50 Q miles, visited l6 l6O families; aud
lourd 25Ol OF these families without copy oftho
Scriptures. This year the work hss besn az
tended IN sono places. The churches have con-
triouled hus very little TO the Cause, not. indeed
to Do compared In value t. the BIB les and Tesla,
merits given AWAY by the society,"
Last year and this. So far, Alexandria has OF
coEtr bG!ed one cent to this mos. glorious wo.k
IN, how ear tie heart cray Thy Kingdom
cotIo" Sid the hard fail to respond 10 or second
she u.lerance OF the tongue?
10 Inc Christians Of this city, irrespective of
UNCONVENTIONAL distinctions. We make this an.
peel, leelng assured that it is only necessary
inst pisln statement of facts be made to secure
i-on thtm prompt and generous response
ana now, WITH this statement before thar,
may wa not with confidence say that it ia NOT
possible for them to fsil in their duty of helpinc
50 Curious md sacred cause-eyen that If
placing before their destitute fellow man 'Tba
Lamp OF Lilo" "For inasmuch AZ We bsva
oohe IL unto one OF the lesst of thsse my bre.ho
ren. ye have done it unto me-"
nateVer amounts Of money persons nav
Wish u contribute to this Cause eau be left with
the pastors OF the various churches who will bs
CALICO upoE by hesociety's agent. Or, if anyso
pFtt"r, they can send their Contributions direct
10 K6V NJ w. Stsp'ss, Secretary of tn. VIRGIN.
Is Bible Society, lOOl Main s.., Richmond. W..
CCLPORTEUR