The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-21
TIRGINIL BTBLE SOCIETY.
Celebration of Its ElghtIeth AnDiver-


VIRGINIA Bible SOCIETY.
Celebration of Its Eightieth AnDiver-
The clgnt1eth anniversary meeting OF
the Virginia Bible Society was held last
evening at the Grace-street Presbyterian
church. Or. NJ. y. Hoge presided. and
invoked the blessings OF God upon It's
work. Rev J. IS. Newton, ID. D., OF
Monumental Episcopal church, read the
Scriptures. and Rev. Jabez Hall, Of the
Seventh-street Christian church, led in
prayer.
a number OF Other ministers were pres
ent. among whom were Revs. Whitehead
Sledd, Peterson. Judkins. Wilson, Gam
mon. Fair. Turnbull and others.
Mr.. T. l.. D. Walford read the eightieth
annual report OF the society. After re-
iterating the purposes and objects OF the
society. so often told, the secretary ex-
presses regret that many who heartily
approve OF 'he society and profess TO be
its friends have held aloof. The board
at present represents five denominations.
In referring to the work OF the society
the report saws: There are many fami-
lies in our State who have not the Bible.
and we have had numbers Of appeals
for helm from sections OF the State where
the applicants say that there are no
Bibles for sale in their counties.
1--WE are aiming TO occupy every such
field either by engaging On active agent
or by placing n small deposit OF Bibles
in the hands OF some reliable person.
who will take an interest in supplying the
neighborhood at cost prices.
We are told that about from one-hfth
10 one-third Of the people have not the
Bible in some parts Of the State, and
about one-tenth I'm others.
"'To meet his restitution the society Is
employing men and women TO make
housc-to-house canvass, and also co-ope-
rating with the colportage boards OF
other churches.
"The board also finds that the Bible is
10 too great an extent being ignored IN
Sunday schools and is trying to place
copy in the hands Of every Sunday-school
scholar"
The secretary says: I'VE would not
say aucht against the present system
Of Sunday-school lessons. We must de-
More everything that will educate our
children out Of the habit OF searching
for the truth out Of the book itself
eve are constantly finding new doors
open for US 10 enter, and the greatest
hindrance is the want OF funds 10 sus-
tain enlargement"
The contributions. which are annually
published by the society. are this year a
little in excess Of the year previous.
In regard to relieving restitution the
report says:
In no case have we refused TO give
where 1t was thought the gift would
be properly used. We have supplied
Bibles for the use OF number Of jails
where we could make arrangements LOT
safe keeping. but 10 be freely loaned 10
ali prisoners who will read them also
10 our State penitentiary and other In
stitutions for the unfortunates who were
unable to buy"
The total sales OF Bibles and Tesla
nents by the society during the year
were TO- 6l volumes, while 2S9 were given
| away without cost. amounting in all TO
/ S4.34O51
The secretary says: "1f we take into
| account that these books are all sold
at cost Of publication, and If puDllshed
by others and sold at the usual prices
that such books are sold, would bring
about $1,000. we will have some idea OF
the saving that the Bible Society is TO
the Christian world
The donations last year amounted TO
1855 IS. which, with the sales and
small balance from the year previous
leaves I'm the hands Of the society after
the purchase of books and running ex-
nenses a balance of S189.39 for future
! work.
The following officers and directors
were elected April 18th for the ensuing
year: Rev NJ. j. Hoge. ID. D.. president
Rev William f. Judkins, d. D.. first
vice-presdent, Rev. Jabez Hall, d. d.
second president; Rev r. =. Kerr
D. D. third vice-president; T. r. Minor
treasurer; r. l.. D. Walford, secretary
Directors Revs Or. J. b. Newton, Dr.
Q H. Read. DR.. Paul Whitehead, DR..
W Y. Tudor. DR.. John X. Mason, DIR.
w J. Young and Rev. A. r. Moore
Messrs. Joseph Bryan. John L. Williams
w. w. Henry. 4. =. Clarke, K. l.
Brooke. John p Branch, w. f. FOX
lanes Peasants. Richard Irby and VIII
liam NJ. Hill.
DR.. Hoge. before introducing the
sneake- Of the evening referred in feei'
ing terms to the faithful services or the
late Dr. Dashiell, who as president OF tne
society took great interest In It's work
In referring to his own election TO tna'
Office ne said IL was contrary 10 MS eA'
messed desire; that he had been a mem
Der Of the society nearly all ms lie
and taken active interest In It's worh
but that now he could not find the unt
10 direct its affairs as its president shoui'
do. and that at the next meeting OF lh'
board he would offer his resignation
lie introduced Rev. a. Coke Smith
d d.. of Norfolk, who made the annua
address His words were finished ant
anproDriate without going into the Worf
of the Bible Society he touched with mas
ter hand upon the power OF the GosDe
and effects Of its spread over the worlu
The services closed with a cOlleclioi'
conducted by Rev. DR.. Judkins.