Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1897-01-07
An Appeal From the American Bible

society.
The American Bible Society asks for
prompt and generous contributions to
promote the circulation OF the Scrip
lures.
It's peculiar organization shuts 1t on
from access to thousands of pulpits
and from direct appeal to thousands
Of congregations which are constantly
urged to be loyal to their own boards,
but hear nothing of the American
Bible Society as great missionary
body, or Of It's hearty cooperation in
the work which their own societies are
doing at home and abroad. Conse-
quently q great multitude of well-to-
do congregations in all parts Of the
land are doing nothing, directly or in
directly, to help its undertaking.
In the home field, embracing oil the
United States and Territories, 1t has
been compelled for lack of funds to
suspend its efficient system Of Bible
colportage, but it is still circulating
the Scriptures through its numerous
superintended by twenty
one district superintendents, and
through various missionary and be-
nevolent societies.
In the amount annually expended In
foreign lands it ID surpassed by only
seven OF the missionary societies of
the United States. Its foreign work
last year was done under the direction
Of agents resident in Constantinople,
Tabreez, Bangkok, Shanghai, Yoko-
hama, Mexico, Havana, Caracas,
Guatemala, Rio de Janerio and Buenos
Ayres, with the aid of missionaries OF
every name, and OF 443 persons az
pressly employed to circulate the
Scriptures.
The present condition OF the Soci-
ETY., owing to the falling of Of re-
ceipts and especially OF legacies, has
made it necessary to decline urgent
requests for aid recently received from
the American Board Of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions, the Presbyterian
Board of Foreign Missions, the Mis-
sionary Society OF the Methodist Epis-
copal Church and other organizations
engaged in missionary work abroad.
Without prompt and liberal gifts the
work OF the society wholly benefi-
cent and unsectarian-must be greatly
dwarfed, both at home and abroad.
While it has moderate revenue
from rentals and an income Of about
SIT 900 from trust funds, 1t is depend
ent for Its great work upon the gifts
of those who are in hearty accord with
Its spirit and aim. In addition to all
that II may receive from saies, II
needs at least $3.50, 600 year to main
tain its work without serious retrench-
ment. Its entire receipts from collec-
tions, donations and legacies during
the first half OF the present fiscal
year amount to only s32, ,3o7.54.
On these grounds the Society ap-
peals to Its auxiliaries to take prompt
measures for collecting and transmit
ting funds for it's treasury, and to pas
tors, churches and individuals every
where, without reference to their de-
nominational or ecclesiastical connec-
tions, to contribute literally for the
supply of the needy with the Holy
Scriptures.
i Contributions for the American
Bible Society may be sent through any
OF its auxiliary societies, or district
superintendents, or directly TO Mr..
William Foulke, Treasurer, Bible
House, New York.
BY direction OF the Board Of Man
ayers. EDWARD w. GILMAN,
| ALEXANDER MCLEAN,
/ ALBERT 8. HUNT,
L ynrrasnoudiuty GacratarIas