The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-26

preacher can be done by the judicious Use
of the right kind of books
Mr. Moodys faith In the book plans he
has launched is summed up in these
words: "A good book is a missionary that
costs little for travelling expenses, calls
for no salary, is not subject TO fever and
Is always ready to speak. II win go any
where-into palace, cabin or cGn."
The Indian crusade Nv means of the
printed page is the latest development of
the Coiportase movement begun five years
ago. 1t has an interesting history ~r
Moody CHANGED to attend conference in
a Wisconsin city at the time named, and
he wanted certain evangelical works for
reference. Accordingly he visited a book
store, the largest in the Wisconsin city.
I'm looking for these religious books"
he said, handing the clerk list.
I'VE have none in stock" answered the
salesman.
"What?" exclaimed MIR. Moody. mo
religious books! Well, wel,'
Calls at the remaining bookshops in the
place developed practically the same sit
uarion, and the evangelist returned to his
hotel thoroughly reused. BY the time he
arrived in Chicago he had determined on
a plan of action, for which Mr.. Moody
TO see an emergency is to meet it. Assem-
bling his aids at the Bible institute, he
told them he did not propose to longer
RET Nlc tGNlt nave a HlOiOIlD4N bll cheap
books nor did he like 10 see tracts as
the only form Of low-prced religious read
ing matter. Eventually publication ar
rGugemenis were made, and now "A new
book is printed every month. In all
100000 copies have been printed. They
are beng sent out at the rate of 2,0o0 a
day.
What is being done with these bOoks?'
asked the visitor at the Bible institute of
the manager yesterday. "They are sent to
men in the army and navy-last year 70
Cuba and Porto Rico this year TO the Phil
| ippines" was the reply. There are 200
counties in the United States and a jail in
nearly every one. We intend to get a book
into the hands Of every prisoner in every
jail. Lots of them have been taken 10 the
Cook county Jail aud hundreds of copies
| are sent to Joliet. Some Of the books are
| read by many persOnS-one, for example,
was handed around among nineteen con
victs. Then there are neglected and from
| tier towns where church privileges are
| lacking TRANSACTIONS have been made into
German and the Scandinavian tongues and
Spanish versions are now in preparation.
"Two-thirds Of the population of he
United States never go to church Non
| church-goers we try to reach by means of
good books
Next to the movement for India, The
prison work is important. We have letters
over the land, as well from sheriffs ana
Jail inmates, telling of what these books
have done. 1t is an astonishing fact,
shown by statistics, that there are three
quarters of a million prisoners in the coun-
try annually, so the field Is a wide one
StiA another phase of the Colportage As
sociation's activity IS the unique manner
in which book agents are created. IN
many of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
Citations if a man applies for assistance,
pleading that he wants work but is una
bic to find il, the Tepy is: Here is work
for you" He is then given a few of the
standard books and told to go out and sell
them for Is cents apiece. With the pro-
ceeds he can buy more at a price which al
lows a good profit. Besides these irregu-
lar book sellers, the organization has 1909
names of persons who add to their in
comes by selling the small volumes while
there are $50 who are regularly and con-
stantly employed in this manner-from
Maine 20 California. in Canada and in
Mexico.
IF we cannot preach ourselves a book
can preach for US" Is the watchword of
many OF these colporters.