The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-08
Virginia Bible Society.
Pastors are Especially Requested to
read this Circular to their Churches.

read this Circular to their Churches
The pastors and several laymen, representing
the churches in Richmond, met, by request Of
the Board of Managers of the Virginia Bible
Society, IN the lecture room of St. Paul's
church, May the 10th, to consider the interests
of the Society.
Rev. DR.. Sledd was called to the chair, and
M. W. Staples chosen Secretary. Rev. DR.. Pres
ton, offered prayer.
DR.. Mnnigerode Chairman of the Special
Committee to consider and report some plan by
which the Society might continue its great
work upon such a'basis of economy as would
commend itself to the cordial support of all the
true friends of the Bible cause, requested the
Secretary to state the circumstances which led
to the consideration of the proposed changes
and modification in the expense of the Society.
The Secretary stated that the American Bible
Society had manifested great interest in the
work of the Virginia Bible Society desired its
continuity and usefulness in the management of
the Bible work in its own field; that it had sent
to this Society and to the State during the last
ten years SAC, 267.52 worth of Bibles, besides
cancelllng an Indebtedness prior of $l0609. %.
making a total of $50,S77.25 to aid in supply.
ing the destitution that in March, 1880 thew
commenced, in co operation with this Society, a
re canvass of the entire field that during the
year, with the counties now nearly completed
sixty counties will be thoroughly SUPPLIED
that with such liberal aid they had hoped the
friends of the cause would be stimulated to con
tribute more generously, so that with less help
TINS Society would be able to complete the re
canvass but instead of stimulating the gene
rous aid seemed to make the Society more de-
pendent, and hence the tendency to iniure its
usefulness. and eventually work its dsorpaniza-
ton; that Society still desiring to aid this in
dong Its great work and thus perpetuate It's in
tegrlty and usefulness, now propose different
method of extending the needful help. The
NecrltarU haH tbo.. ,olL L.. IL.
OF the American Bible Society to say to the
Board of Managers, Gas he had done, and which
had been accepted) that the American Bible
society would send to this Society $1,000 worth
OF Bibles for every 81 900 we would remit to
them, until the recanva was completed.
Our Secretary and General Agent, Whose
resignation is offered, but on which action was
suspended at the last meeting of the Board.) is
wiling 10 resume the Office of Secretary and
General Agent if the Board desire it, without a
salary, claiming only the personal expenses
incurred in connection with the work, which he
estimates at $780, (Thls is in accord with the
long cherished purpose and plan of the Score
tary)
The depository and tie necessary and great
labor of the depository, or its managers, when
ever separated from the General Agency, las has
been the constant practice except under the
agency of Mr.. Staples) has cost the Society
$500. Mr.. Staples, who certainly can attend to
1t better than any one known to the Board or
Committee, will undertake it on these terms Il
desired
In addition to this only one more expense is
involved, to wit, the room-rent for office and
depository, which costs us now 800.
Inc minimum expense possible land accord.
ing to the views of your Committee are less
than 1T would amount to on any other plan,l is
as fol ows:
Personal expenses, $3.50
depository, 600
noon rent, 100
Making total of $3.50
sum which your Committee in reality think
insufficient, inasmuch as it appears to them thai
MIR. Staples sets down the necessary persona
expense too low. But they believe that tn :,
might be recti6ed by the Board.
In proposing this plan, the Committee would
state again, that the expense allowed cannot BIZ
less on any other arrangement that could keer
The Society afioat, and they believe that The
auspices OF successful faithful, aggressive work
coult not be rendered more favorable bv :
change in the places
The Committee propose this scheme with tn,
greater hope of the concurrence of the Board III
~ because even If tried as an experiment ONLY
1t can do no harm.
We would start the new year under very
favorable circumstances. Having $500 in
mana clears us for the year of almost all tbt
immediate cash expense and wears trial viii
show whether we can continue it hereafter q,
not-continue it, or stop altogether for II,
dlscontinuance would be the death of the Society
Tor it could not cost less in its achinerv, what
eyer might be the constitution of its Board q,
'oi the services necessary to be rendered
In addition 10 this, we bad on hand Apri
lst about 81 900 worth of Bibles. The recenl
contract with the American Bible Society Give,
e es IN future $1,000 worth of Bibles for every
Sl.UOO IN money we send them.
r, The proposition for this year is the following
by raising minimum of 81, 900, we can trv tb,
proposed PLAN having the supply Of IS OOC
worth OF Bibles with which TO do the work of tbt
society Tor q year, at an expense of about 1900
nearly all of which is in hand
This plan proposes to keep the socistv fro,
from debt We desire now to forward a.,
money before we ask for Bibles. aod nroceeJ
with the work only as the churches and friond,
VIII enable us without becoming involved rs
ms end we respectfully and urgently reouestaii
tne churches which are in sympathy with ON,
Work to take collections at the earliest possible
Jay and forward the same to Rev. M. w Sta.
PIES secretary, at Richmond, Va. Hoping that