Smyrna times., 1880-10-06
Hon, N. R. Smithers' Bible Report.

The papers have published short
synopsis of the yearly report of Mr..
Smithers as President of the Kent County
Bible Society at the late meeting at Har-
rington, but there has been desire 10 see
the report entire which we give below.
To the Kent County Bible Society IL have
the honor 10 present the Report of pro-
ceedings for the last year. In accordance
with the plan recognized by repeated ap-
prevails of the Society | engaged Mr.. AL.
pheus S. Mowbray as a canvasser, with the
usual instruction thoroughly TO explore the
district assigned to him. This district was
Mispillion Hundred and the compensation
to be paid was fifty dollars. Mr.. Mowbray
was engaged in the work during the months
of July and August with results which de-
monstrated his fidelity and efficiency,-a
summary of his work shows that he dis
tributed two hundred and sixty.five books,
of which seventy.seven (77) were tesla.
ments and one hundred and lightweight
were bibles (lSS). Of these books the
number gratuitously distributed was one hun
dred and seventeen, (1l7) and the number
sold was one hundred and forty-eight (l4S)
The value of the whole number of books dis.
tributed was eighty.seven dollars and fifteen
cent, and the amount received for books
sold was forty.four dollars and ninety.one
cents, (44.9l) which amount, less one dollar
paid by him for freight for transportation,
he paid into the hands of the Depository
at Dover, and took his receipt therefor.
This return shows the gratifying fact that
the sales by the agent were in excess of
the donations. From his report it is fur.
ther to be gathered that of the whole
number of books distributed two hundred
and thirty-one (23l) were distributed to
white and thirty. four (34) to colored per.
sons. That of the number given, without
pay, ninety nine (99) were given to white
| and eighteen (l8) to colored persons. and
of the number sold, one hundred and
thirty two (l32) were sold to white and six.
teen (l6) to colored persons. The agent
further reports that he found one hundred
and twenty. eight (l2S) families destitute Of
| scriptures in any form, all of whom hesup.
piled and that of these one hundred and
one (l0l) were white and twenty.seyen III
colored, and that in addition to families
he found individuals who were without the
word, to the number of forty.fve, whom he
also supplied and that of these, forty-one
(41l were white and four (4) colored. The
work thus faithfully performed, was duly
| TeIuFUeut properly StdlSu Ill uOtdll anu
classified. 1t would seem to be reasonably
certain that Mispillion Hundred has beer
diligently canvassed and supplied.
Inasmuch as it is understood that Duck
Creek Hd., which, since its division, ha!
been reduced to a small territorial compass
has been reasonably kept in continue
supply through its Depository in Smyrna
and that East and West Dover Hundred
were supplied by an agent employed by the
Dover Society shortly before the adoption
of the present system, but of whose opera
tions, unfortunately no particular recorC
has been preserved, it may be fairly assum
ed that Kent County has been placed in
position where no extraordinary expendi
lures will be required, and where the worl
is brought within the capacity of the loca
societies and the possibility of individua
effort. Whether this work shall be perform
ed or whether there shall again be a deartl
of supply, will, of course, depend upon tn
friends of the cause, in their various local
ties. 1t would be too much to say that tn
supply has been complete, but think
? may be safely affirmed that it has been S
far completed as that there is no large de:
titution in the districts traversed by tn
agents under my supervision.
1t would not be inappropriate to offer
general resume Of their operations.
In 1877, the Hundreds of Little Cree
and Kenton were supplied by Frederick :
Cochran. His return shows: