The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-05-21

taken the trouble, when furnishing the
home, to buy the book. Some are poor
and cannot buy. Some are at remote
distances from repositories, where Bibles
are sold. II is estimated by Bible work.
ers that about ten per cent. of the popu-
lation of the United States are without
the Word. Though working in a part OF
the State, our agents found 445 such
households last year, and supplied them
either Dy sale or gift.
The Bible Society OF Maine considers
that its mission begins with distributing
the Word of God. For this it's motto
might be, - Bible for every home"
This is a worthy purpose, and of itself
would warrant the rallying of our
churches and people to it's moral and
financial support.
AS further task, it aims to collect
the religious statistics of the State.
Its agents knock at every door, reaching
the remotest logging camp as we'll as
the busy town. They inquire as to the
religious preferences of the families and
report them to the pastors. This deli
cate questioning is conducted in the most
impartial and unsectarian manner; and
so the pastors are su pplied with informa-
tion, which if properly utilized, will be
of incalculable value. Many family,
which otherwise might be neglected,
Is thus brought to the attention of those
who can give it proper spiritual over
sight.
But more than this. the Bible Society
of Maine is assuming the task of relig-
ious visitation in the neglected districts.
Its agents are God-fearing Christians.
They enter
ISOLATED HOMES.
They speak with the people on religious
themes. They kneel with them and en-
gage in prayer. During this last year
the Society's missionaries made "a, 012
visits, many of them with such services
OF song and prayer, and we may believe
that their infu ence will be long treas
ured as a gracious benediction. The
Society is planning to reach ia this way
and leave spiritual impression on the
neglected homes in 20 cities and 414
towns, ON the families in remote planta-
habited islands. Surely it has a right to
the support and sympathy of the relig-
ious people of the State.
But we are not quite at the end of the
story. We are totinqui as TO the future.
We sometimes trust too much to the ex-
cellence of our appliances for gospel
work, and in the eloquenee of the pulpit
w main euth wi AVliS1OuS l1lC. 1ouG pC-
hind all the sweetness of gospel song. and
the power of persuasive speech we need
the support Of trust in the Word of God
and familiarity with its teachings. 1t is
said of Apollos that he nightly con-
WINGED the Jews, and that publicly,
showing by the Scriptures that .iesus
was the Christ. SBut il t he people had
not known their Scriptures. of what
avail this most brilliant argument or his
tenderest pleadings9
For this age, and for the one to follow
9ns tha pbs Havs + ., rasd
the Sabbath day, and on every day have
some portion recalled and pondered upon,
the people feeding on the Word. Bring
that about and you will have easy execu.
ton for your laws. Your industries
will flourish. Your homes will be pure.
Your prisons will be empty. Your
young men and maidens will grow ul
to useful and successful lives, and youi
earnest prayers and faithful preaching
will not be in vain.