Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-11

ciety. lie was kind enough 10 cali
meeting OF the committee, consisting o'
thirty-six members. While among the
yice-rresidents OF the Society were
many prelates and poolemen OF high
4 rsnl--among them that year the Arch
bishops OF Canterbury and York, the
Dukes Of Devonshire and Marlborough,
and the Lord Bishop Of London--the
committee consisted altogether Of lay
men. and was composed Of merchants,
LAWYERS. physicians. and officers Of the
army and navy.
Lord Sbaftesbury, on taking the chair.
introduced me to the meeting and court
eously requested me TO take time TO
state whatever J might consider inter-
esting in reference 20 my errand. As
/ was the first and only person from
the South who had ever addressed that
body, could not complain Of want OF
attention, coming a. ] did from the be-
ieaguered capital OF the Confederscy. and
during the most critical period IN the
history Of the great conflict.
At the conclusion Of my address /
retired with Rev. Charles jackson, one
Of the secretaries. 70 his private Office.
" lille the committee held consulta-
ton. On our return Lord Shaftesbury
informed me that it had been unani-
mously agreed to make me free grant
Of 10000 Bibles, $4,000 Testaments,
and $50, 200 portions-that IS. OF the
Psalms. Proverbs. Gospels, &C., bound
separately. in glazed covers, with red
edges and rounded corners. light. water
proof, and flexible, just the thing to
put IN the jackets OF our Confederate
soldiers. The value Of the grant was
/ "a .OOo. and that was the best fee | ever
received for single speech MI.
Prioleau. Of the firm OF Fraser. Tren-
holm & Co.. then residing in Liverpool,
hearing Of my success. wrote me con-
gratulatory letter and offered to forward
my Bibles to Virginia by his blockade
runners. This was most generous
offer. as all the space on these swift lit
I tie vessels was needed for the trans
mission Of provisions and munitions OF
I war.
renamed in London several months
experimenting the shipment Of the
boxes containing these Bibles. ] sent
only q few boxes al time, and, Of
course, a good many Of the vessels
were captured. but at least three
fourtbs OF my Bibles reached the Con-
ledcracy.
do not know what disposition was
made Of the others. But on my first
visit 70 Boston after the war, one day
in passing a booksellers shop. J saw
in the window an advertisement Of Con-
federate Bibles for sale. | went IN and
purchased one Of them. ! send It to
YOU that you may publish from it the
little legend printed on yellow paper
pasted on the inside cover, reading
/ thus
From the cargo OF the
Anglo Rebei Blockade Runner
NINA.
Captured December 9, 1868
Of Wilmington.
~ the Government Dispatch Ship
lIErA-sIAN.
(spiain ". 4. Eaton
J give this account a. part OF the
strange and eventinl history Of the
nmes through which we passed during
the war.
The present relations OF the Virginia
Bible Society with the American Bible
Society are most pleasant and cordial.
More than that, ! take pleasure in &C
knowleeging our obligation to its fire.
quently-maniiested generosity.
II was while was president Of the
Virginia Bible Society, IL 1875. that the
American Bible Society held one Of its
anniversaries in St. Paul's church. IL
this city. when it was nv privilege
officially 70 welcome its delegates 70
Richmond and ] AN sure no memo
ries Of the time when the relations be-
tween the two societies were suspended
disturbed the harmony Of that memors-
bic meeting.
During my stay IL London. after the
interview with the Bible Society, I fire.
Quently met with Lord Shaftesbury.
The most frequent topic Of conversation
was the waT. then III progress. lie took
q deep interest in all is fluctuations,
and especially II all that be could learn
abou; General Stonewall jackson. for
whom he had an intense admiration.
AT one time ] received long letter
through the blockade from my brother,
DR.. William Hoge. giving me an &C
count Of 5 visit ne had Just paid 70
General Jackson II his camp. and Of
their spending q whole night, as they
Law side by side in the General S
tent. discussing, not subjects connected
with the war. but religious themes.
Among other things. the General said
- have been thinking = great deal
lately about the answer 70 the
first question II our catechism
Mans chief end Is 10 elorify
God and 10 ENJOY Him forever.
II we make il our main business II
tins life 70 serve and gloriiy Him. We
need have no doubt about eternal en-
ioyment IN the life 70 come. God viii
sec 10 that let US strive. then. TO Dc
our duty here " This letter enclosed
70 Lord Shafiesbury, ami ! have pre-
served has reply, II which he expresse.
his deep interest in the portraiture II
gave OF the great Christian soldier
When the sad hdings Of General Jack
son S death reached London the impress
sion made on the public mind was
most profound. ! heard 1t discussed
on the streets, n social circles, IN Ia,
public cOnyeyances. and read with greai
emotion tine glowing editorial eulo=ie:
which the leading papers contained a.
they commented on his character and
the probable consequences Of his death
but nothing impressed me more thar
the distress manifested by Lord Shaftes
bury. and well do remember the very
tones in which he expressed his sens
Of our great loss II the tribute he paiC
to biz memory.
From that time ] never made {;
visit to London without paying hin
nv respects. Tn one Of these visits
took with me nv esteemed friend DR.
William Brown, late editor OF the Cen
trial PresbyferiaR. We had just beer
al the meeting Of the Council held Il