The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-10
THE BIBLE SOCIETY.
THEIR RAYNiyERsARYLASTN
Addresses BY Rev. Messrs. Jones, Kerr, and
Read-summary OF the Work Done the Past

Addresses by Rev. Messrs. Jones, Kerr, and
Read-Summury of the Work Done the Pas,
Year.
The anniversary meeting OF the Virginia
Bible Society took place last night at the
First Presbyterian church. and was pre-
sided over by Rev. DR.. Read. one OF the
vice-presidents; Rev. DR.. Minnigerode.
the president. being too unwell to attend.
The opening prayer was offered by Bishop
Granberv, followed by Rev. DIR. Dashiell
reading scriptural lesson.
Rev. NJ. w. Staples, secretary cf the
Board, read the annual report:
The demand for the Bible during the
year has been unprecedented In the history
OF Bible work. SO pressing have been the
calls that at the beginning OF the year the
American Bible Society could not, with its
then facilities for manufacturing Bibles,
supply the demand. In consequence OF
this fact the Board was unable to secure
such q supply OF books ms would justify
the appointment OF the usual number OF
missionaries. Several already in the SER
vice could labor only portion OF their
time during part OF the season most Ia
vorable to its successful prosecution.
Another embarrassment which met the
Board at the beginning OF the year was the
fact that the means furnished by the Chris
tlan people OF the State were so limited
and inadequate to the demands OF the field
that the Board did not feel justified in en-
larging its work.
Notwithstanding these embarrassments,
the Board take pleasure in reporting that,
with the continued and generous aid OF
the American Bible Society, the results Of
the years work are as eminently gratify-
ing and satisfactory as those OF any pre-
ceding year.
Fourteen missionaries have been in the
service OF the Society and its auXiliaries !;
some during the entire year-others only
portions thereof. The men have travelled
1850 miles, visited -, 142 families, found
2,069 families destitute OF the Bible. They
supplied 1893, besides 476 destitute midi
vlduals and 70 Sabbath schools. They dis
tributed 1850 volumes OF Scripture, valued
at S2,S12 80.
The receipts from churches and indi-
viduals and sales OF Bibles are S4,S33.40 I;
expenditures for Bibles, missionary work,
depository, freight, carriage, &C., S4,579.4.
Gratuitous distribution To aid auxilia-
ries in the canvass in their pective fields,
3,27S volumes. value SS74.22; to poor iami-
lies and Sunday schools by cOlporters, l,273
volumes, valued at S374.s0; salaries and
expenses Of missionaries, 1,9l6.50-total
cost Of gratuitous work, SO, ,l55.5S; issued
from the depository. 1896 volumes, valued
ut 81, 4,007.09.
Since the Bible work was re6rganized IN
1871, 25S,1S3 families have been visited,
230.G5l volumes Of Scripture have been
placed in the homes OF the people OF the
State.
No period in the history OF the Society
has shown such activity in the distribution
OF the Scriptures as the Inst thirteen years.
The churches have contributed only a
little over 1000 during the last year, and
yet the benevolent work Of the Society
reaches nearly double the amount con-
tributed. Over $4,000 has been paid for
Bibles. Thus it will appear that the bur-
den OF the Society's expense OF the work
done has fallen upon the American Bible
Society.
Certainly the sum contributed by the
Christian people Of the State cannot be the
measure OF their interest IN and desire for
the distribution OF the Word Of God.
The report having been read. DR..
Dashiell stated that Bishop Randolph, who
was expected to speak on this occasion,
was unable to be present on account OF
pressing engagements elsewhere. He read
letter from the Bishop, expressing deep
interest in the work OF the Society.
Rev. DR.. J. William Jones was then in
troduced. and spoke in brief but forcible
presentation OF the claims Of the Society,
showing what excellent work il is doing,
not alone in giving away Bibles but in
missionary work.
Rev. Mr.. Kerr eloquently addressed the
audience, commencing the work Of the
Society, and invoking the aid OF the people
to enable. it to keep its colporters in the
field.
Mr.. Staples announced that the Rev.
Mr.. McGilvray had been secured as the
financial agent OF the Society. and would
canvass the city and State. Without
prompt help 1t cannot keep its colporters
in the field month longer; some OF them
already are without supply Of Bibles.
Mr.. Staples said that he himself had been
serving az secretary for several years almost
gratuitously.
A collection was taken up, after which
the congregation was dismissed, with the
benediction by Rev. DR.. Richardson.