The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-10

ceding year. OF this number soo5 were given
TO the destitute. The total value OF the books
circulated was s3312 - of those donated $33l q.
The Bibles sold by this society arc all sold at
actual cost OF manufacture.
These books have gone into every section or
our state, and haze been distributed among
oil classes OF our people. Though our aim mas
been especially to reach the destitute n our
Ing put forth in their behalf than for the same
class Of people in our towns and cities
the lamp OF life did not shine before. Many
more individuals who We're without Cord word
were supplied. An unusually large number OF
Sunday schools were furnished with tho Scrip
lures. Many of these We're weak mission
schools to which Bibles and Testamcnts We're
donated. BY the help of a few earnest Chris
tian people every cell in tho state penitentiary
was supplied with Bible and every prisoner
with Il copy of the New Testament We believe
there is nothing that will do more to reform
the criminal than Gods truth, which he mas
during his confinement in his cell. And we are
encouraged to feel that much good has been
accomplished In this way.
We have done an Increased work among the
sailors in our great Hampton Roads harbor.
into which about 5000 sailors come every
year These men come from almost every COM
'inerca nation OF the world. and are notably
destitute Of the word Of Cod But they receive
are thus carried to the utermost parts OF the
earth.
The needs that confront us are MS great as
ever, and the opportunities for doing 1t are
greater than ever before We wish 10 express
our appreciation OF the good work done by our
slXty-two colporteurs ana agents many OF them
working for us without any compensation. and
the others for very tneagre compensation
The most difficult and expensive part of our
work Is the raising of the money needed rms
occupies far the larger portion OF the time
and effort of our secretary. Almost all the
church courts Of the State have urged the
pastors under their control to present the work
of the society fully to their people and to
ask them for contributions. but tho results
show that in the large majority of cases this
had to adopt the supplementary plan of asking
for personal contributions. The Increase IN
our receipts Is due very largely TO this plan.
But the earnest wish of the society Is that
the support FOR this work shall be provided
by the churches.
Rev William $. Campbell has completed his
eighth year or work as secretary ana gcnetal
agent having charge of the office and deposit
over the state, and visiting churches and &c
cesiastcal bodies rs he has had opportunity.
lie visited md addressed fourteen acclesiastcal
bodies ana churches. which required him 10
travel 3,219 miles. He also preached forty-eight
sermons II sent out from the office 1899
letters, 1000 copies of the ninetieth annual
report and many thousands of circulars, giving
information In regard TO the society's work,
Our work is now in better condition than 4
has been for some time. and the success with
which shall he able to carry 1t on in the
future VIII depend upon the Christian peop,e
of the State. With their sympathy ana support
we can do the work Without these we cannot.
We would ask of all who hear or read this
report that they give us their sympathy their
prayers and sufficient means to do our work:
and also that they would give us any inforna-
ton they may have in regard to any destitu-
tlon of the Scriptures that may exist in any
power to supply the needs or those who are
without the Scripture.