The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-06-21
a GOOD SHOWING
Made BY Rev, W, l.. Lung, the State Bible
AENnt,

Made BY Rev, W, l., Long, the State BIbl'
Agent,
The following very interesting summary
ofthe Bible missionary work accomplished
by Rev, Walter R, Long, late District Super
intendent olthe American Bible Society To-
West Virginia, has been obtained from
that gentleman. He has held the posi-
ton Of District Superintendent for abouI
nine and one.half years, or to speak &C
Curately from November 20, 1875, t.
June |, 1886, The summary includes
the work done up 10 this time
In that time he has visited G42 aux
Hilary and branch Bible Societies, ATTENDED
SSs anniversaries, organized and resusci
tated 81 auxiliary and other Bible SoCie
ties, visited 50 ecclesiastical bodies, deliy
cred 900 sermons and addresses, issued
l0,055 letters, distributed l33,OO7 otiicla
documents, travelled Is, Ol0 miles, received
directly from individuals and Congrega,
tons ST., 02S Al, from personal sale Of
books 500 81, from treasurers OF auxiliary
Bible Societies 81, 1857 OF and from all Other
sources 81, 81 SO.
He has been absent from Wheeling In
actual service 2,G32 days; has made IS, 4lC
official visits and travelled on foot SSGs
miles. The total receipts from West Vir.
ginia have been $2j,O3S 40, in addition Ia
about 5000 from requests. Tho mum.
Der OF the books sent out was 49,, 500; and
the number supplied railroad cars was 3l6
There were only l6 auxilaries to the
American Bible Society In the printed
catalogue for West Virginia March 81,
1875. There are now Of auxiliary Bible
Societies, 3 branches and Bible commit.
tees, the number, US will DO seen having
become more then quadrupled.
Most Of the auxiiaries In 1870 were in
debt to the American Bible Society, the
total debt reaching $2,S42 G3. Now all are
free from the embarrassment OF debt and
have an aggregate cash credit with the
parent society OF 5000 So; also cash on
hand amounting to $5GS II, besides owing
$3,36G " worth OF books, making grand
total OF $0,0O6 48.
The State OF West Virginia has been
thoroughly Canvassed and the startling
fact disclosed that more than 10000 fami.
lies are without a Bible. About two.
thirds Of the State has been re.Canvassed
and the figures obtained indicate that the
number OF families withouta Bible will be
nearer 10000, or 10000 souls, tabout one
person In six with no spiritual lamp to
their feet or light 10 their path"
The colportage system Of Bible Mis-.
sionary work Is one Of the most sacred, as
well as useful, conducted in the land.
Reclaimed households, reformed neighbor.
hoods, revived churches, reorganized Sab.
bath schools and regenerated souls evince
the success OF Its evangelical miaSion, and
Its legitimate hel piulness 10 the Gospel
ministry. The American Bible Society
has expended at least $l5, 900 in this State
in Colportetr missionary work alone,
scattering gospel seed plentiiully and un,
Sparingly throughout the commonwealth
II has given to the Mountain State the
entire services OF Mr.. Long and his col.
porteur assistants, and credit for the funds
he has collected. A great and good work
has been accomplished, which will be felt
through the country and on through
coming time.
"W6at Is everybody's business, Is praC.
tiCally nobody's." The Divine Injunction
has been carried out; "Go ye out into
the highways, lanes and hedges and com.
pei them to come inn "sow by all waters
and ye shall reap by all waters; "He
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing hi1 sheayes with
him." and receive at last the welcome
plaudit, "Well DONE"