Morning journal and courier., 1893-12-25
CONNECTICUT BIBLE SOCIETY.

Interesting Sketch of the Recent
work of the Society.
This society is pressing on its evangelis-
tic work and distributing the word of God
in increasing numbers.
The towns recently visited are Andover,
Beacon Falls, Bethany, North Branford,
Oxford and Vernon, including Rockville.
Visitors are now at work in Coventry,
Windsor Locks and New London.
Much good has resulted in every town.
In some instances great and benefesnt
change has been wrought. In Beacon
Falls the church was greatly helped and
many were led to Christian life. Many
persons, both of the native and foreign
population-some Jews among them-were
brought, for the first time in their lives,
under the influence of one who faithfully,
taotfully and lovingly unfolded to them
the divine goodness and illustrated its win
ming spirit. Many of them will long re-
member the interviews in which they were
thus brought into touch with the Master
in the person of His disciple.
The city of Rockville was found to have
1862 families of which 527 were American
and l, 1875 of other nstionalities. Nearly
all this large foreign population need to be-
come Amsricsnized. Some are bitterly
hostile to the foundation principles of our
government. There is among them an
organic alton of socialists, zsalously propa-
eating the principles of infidelity. Their
cure for hard times is directly opposite to
the golden rule. They would banish God
and law and benevolencs and divide the
fruits of virtuous industry and thrift
among the indolent and vicious. The sb-
surdity of their principles does not miti-
gate the destruotiveness of their weapons.
They are as ignorant as the heather of the
true principles of Christianity. And be-
sides those of foreign birth not few of
our native population are almost equally
ignorant.
There is no force but Christianity which
will eliminate from among us this danger
GUS element. The problem is how to
apply the remedy. These people will not
come to the house of God to get 1t. 1t
must be carried to them. The gospel
must be brought before them as an object
lesson in the concrete. They must see its
power in the spirit of the messenger, who
searches them out in their homes.
We hear it said as an excuse for neglect
ing this work, "Ws are already doing
vastly more for the perishing in this land
than for the millions abroad who have
never heard the gospel" True, SO far as
directly preaching the gospel is concerned.
But, by building a Christian nation
we are most emphatically preaching the
gospel to the heather abroad. That there
Is 80 much to be done in the foreign field,
is no excuse for neglecting imperative
duties at home. We can do much for
both. A man will do vastly more to lift
up the ignorant and degraded of all lands
by educating his own children to be living
witnesses for the truth and example of its
power, than by attempting to divide all
his resources so as to educate equally his
own children and all the neglected chill
dren of the world. So God has benefcient-
" ordained that his first duty is to his
own household.
There il nothing the world needs to-day
30 much as 1t needs the example and moral
power of nation living and acting on
Gods plan, whose citizens are Intelligent
virtuous and prosperous. To make our ma
ton such is q laudable ambition for our
own sake, and will be our best possible gift
to the world.
Az citizens of Connecticut our first duty
to the nation as we'll as to the whole world.
lies here. It Ia said that half the citizens
of this state are foreigners. Very few of
these are enlightened in regard to the prin-
ciplss on which oursrepublic is built; and
on which 1t must stand. Is 1t doing the
Masters will to neglect or eight the only
institution that is systematically preaching
tho gospel In every neglected household