The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-12

siabces WOuiu aunt, so tDat IN the late
canvass the destitution has been no greater
than In other and more favored sections OF
our country.
DESTITUTE or THE SCRIPTURES.
,, These facts bring 10 light very deplora.
bic condition, not only OF the State which
Is our specific field OF labor, but also OF this
entire country.
The proportion Of families found desti-
tute OF The Sacred Scriptures IN the general
canvass is perhaps without parallel in the
history Of the Society. With all the efforts
OF the American Bible Society, in co6pera-
tion with its thousands OF auxiliares and
other agencies, and the millions OF copies
already distributed, how can we account
for such O safe OF desttution +? The an
swer is found in the fact that the pOpula-
tion OF our country Is increasing more rap
idly than the Society, with its present means
and facilities, can print and circulate the
Bible. The natural increase is about one
aDda-half millions annually. In addition,
hundreds Of thousand from the Old World
seek homes among us annually, the very
large proportion Of which come without a
Bible. Provision for their speedy supply
must be made il these vast mutitudes are
TO become blessing to Ibis land.
Unless the Christian people OF this coun-
creaSiug and pressing demand, the day is
far distant when the home work will be ac-
cOmpshed and our own destitution sup
piled.
Duling the last nine years we, rs a Society,
in cooperation with the American Bible So-
ciety. have rllced ~ the homes Of our own
people lS3,GiS copies Of the Scriptures and
yet there is a Gcstlution still TO be met.
The population even IN this State is increas-
ing more rapidly than We have distributed
The Word OF God. In 1872 our population
was estimated at little over !, 100000. To-
day il is over 100000.
II the American Bible Society should
direct all It's efforts to the supply OF the
home field generations would pass away be-
fore the work would be done unless the
facilities for manufacturing aud dislribu-
ting were greatly increased. Together
wilhsr this yast field at our very doors
calling for enlarged plans OF operation,
the importunale cry for the bread Of
life comes 10 lis from every continent
and island OF the globe. Much, truly. has
already been done. More than 100000 900
copies OF the Scriptures have been circulated
during the last seventy years, but these re-
suits, cheering as they are, are but small
compared with what remains TO be done.
With gratitude for past success, we should
seek greater achievements in The future.
The revolutions now taking place among
the nations Of the world are preparing the
way for The >ceedy trumphs Of the Gospel.
Sow is the time when We. who have been
reared under the benign Influence OF The
Bible. who profess to be governed by lis
procepts and cheered by ITS promises,
should lie true to our trust. Freely ye
have received; freely give Fidelity TO
Ia, ~.
We into all the world and preach the Gospel
TO every creature, were never more impera-
tive than to-day. Trusting in the promise.
Lo | am with YOU alway, let Us resume
our work, encourage by the past; checred
by the promise, hopeful for the future,
let rs join heart aud hand with the
royal Amy aud press forward the good
work until every family, not only in our
own State and country, bat in every land.
shall rejoice in the light and be cheered by
the promises which the Gospel brings.
Then. aUd not TIL then, can we cease our
labor and say our work Is done without be-
ing unfathful to the trust committed TO our
hands.
a TRIBUTE TO BISHOP DOGGETT.
We cannot close this report without al
ludng. in the language OF the special COM
miltee. Rev. Urs. Read, Peterkin, and Cur
ry, to the death OF our late and honored
president. After referring 10 the wide
spread profound sympathy and sorrow occl-
stoned by the death OF Bishop ID. :. Dog
get, they say: As individuals, the mem.
berS Of The Board OF Managers OF the Bible
Society Of Virginia, we have shared tender.
ly in these expressions OF sorrow and sense
Of bereavement; but our relations to Bishop
DOegett a. a member Of this Board. and at
ba Of do. "a fh.. a.
Of the Society, seem 10 Us TO present an Oc-
cision for our united and official testimony
Of our esteem and our sense Of loss and be-
rcayement.
We bear IOy ing witness 10 his wisdom in
counsel, prudence in management, stead
faStntss ana perseverance in personal atien-
tlOn and service TO the cause Of The distr-
button OF the Holy Scriptures, and his ha.
biiual courtesy OF manners as presiding
officer.
II was bis disposition TO devise labor for
Others IN which he was inot reluctant to
share. Difficulties called into exercise hi,
resources OF practical skill and tact, and his
example and Influence were always eleya-
ting and encouraging. His love Of the
Word of God and his love for mankind
made him warmly in earnest in the work Of
he Society-the supplying OF those de,ti-
tute OF the blessed Book OF God wherever
such desiiiutiOn was found within the
bounds OF our Commonwealth. In this de-
| plrtmeBt OF ChiSlian lIbOr, and IN his Off
| cial position, Bishop DOggett was an exam
pie OF fidelity and OF constancy. Sincere
earne,tncs. was ever blended with a win
nng cheeTfulne>s, aud thus the two clme
more and more TO be realized.
We feel that the Bible Society OF Virginia
has lest the services Of true and valuable
fl lend by his death, and that we, the mem
ber> OF the Board OF Managers. have spe-
cial reason for grief in the general sorrow
Of all our people.
Intense Us has been our sorrow, deeply as
we have mourned his loss, as much as we
miss him in the councils and work OF our
Board, We would not, If We could, call him
back from his blessed rest to this field OF
labor and toll. Rather would we emulate
his example and be admOnished by his death |
to greater zeal, earnestnes', and perseyer-
ance in our work until like him, we pass
from our post Of duty to our rest and re-
ward.
METHODIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL SOCIETY,"
The regulir monthly meeting OF this So
ciety was held at Centenary Methodist |
church sunday afternoon at 35 o'clock-A.
J.. West president in the chair. j. p. Tur- |
ner and j. L. Rlddick secretaries.
The meeting was opened with singing by |
Centenary school, and prayer by Rev. A. q.
Brown.
Rev. Z. A. Peterson, pastor OF Centenary |
church, made very gratifying report OF
the condition OF the school. He said that |
the school has improved and has good pros
nacts for the futurp The officers aud teach |