Increased Demand for the Scriptures, by means of Ladies' Associations.

of that time, much of which may innocently and laudably be devoted to intellectual pursuits, or the acquisition of elegant accomplishments, your Committee think they will not regret the exchange, when what is now present and future becomes irrevocably past;-when all the glories that now gild the twilight of time, shall fade before the splendour of eternal day ; -when the Son of Man, appearing in the clouds of heaven as the Judge of an assembled universe, shall deign to acknowledge the work of faith and labour of love of the humblest of His followers in those transporting words," INASMUCH as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

SECTION VI.

GENERAL REMARKS.

When it is considered, that, on a moderate computation, at least ten thousand Ladies in Great Britain and Ireland are engaged in the practical application of the system detailed in the preceding Sections, and that many of these "honourable women" are distinguished for their elevated rank, their talents, and their virtues; it becomes a matter of profitable inquiry, whether the benefit derived from their generous zeal and disinterested services be commensurate with the time and energy thus benevolently directed. That the results have satisfied themselves, is a truth which their steady perseverance satisfactorily establishes: and the instances of moral benefit, interspersed throughout this Chapter, will sufficiently account for their unabated ardour in a cause, the happy effects of which they daily behold. But there are many extensive districts of our own country, nominally included by Auxiliary and Branch Societies, to which this portion of the system may be advantageously applied; and on the Continent of Europe it has been but very partially adopted in a few principal towns. Under a conviction, therefore, that the tendency and effects of those institutions have not yet received a due share of public attention; and satisfied that it is only necessary to investigate their merits, in order to promote their universal extension; the author submits the following illustration of those remarks which have been already offered in Section VII. of Chap. III. and in other divisions of the present work.

1. The effects of Auxiliary Societies, in exciting a desire to possess the holy scriptures, has been already shewn in the Preliminary Observations, Chap. II.; and the following Table will satisfactorily establish the extension of this result, by means of Ladies' Bible Associations.

Instances of the direct Benefits of Bible Associations.-Henley, &c.

2. Of the direct benefits resulting from this increased circulation of the holy scriptures, and consequently to be ascribed, under the Divine blessing, to the institution of Bible Associations, numerous instances have been adduced in the preceding Section. In adding to this mass of evidence, the only difficulty is, to select such testimonies as may place the subject in every point of view; and thus attract the attention of some who have hitherto appeared indifferent to the progress of a cause, wherein the best interests of their country are involved.

Henley-on-Thames Ladies', 1816.-" One person, who has now given her name as a free contributor, had before determinately refused, being decidedly of opinion that no benefit could arise from such an institution. The only reason which now induces her to subscribe, is the evident improvement in the conduct of those in the district who are subscribers to this society."

Westminster, 1818.-" An interesting circumstance has lately occurred in our district. A person of very depraved habits, who was a ringleader in every species of dissipation, and especially eminent as a pugilist, had his attention directed to serious subjects. The energy of character by which he exceeded his companions in wickedness, now displays itself in endeavouring to do good: he is become as earnest in inviting his former associates to attend public worship, as he was before in encouraging them to drink or to fight. He is, of course, a diligent reader of his Bible; and anxious to give his ignorant neighbours the means of participating in the advantages and enjoyments he himself has experienced, he has become a Collector to our Bible Association, and, among the most unpromising habitations in Westminster, has procured fifteen subscribers for Bibles, three of whom have entered themselves in an Adult School to be taught to read.”

Godalming, 1815.-" Your Committee have heard, with peculiar pleasure, that the habits of swearing and drunkenness are certainly lessening, and that

SECT. VI.]

GENERAL REMARKS.

Godalming, Rochester, Blackheath, Farnham, &c.

those of decency, order, economy, and industry, are evidently increasing among the poor in this neighbourhood."

Rochester, &c. 1820.-" We are not at a loss to prove that the Scriptures have really been productive of moral and religious good. We know that many who swore, swear no more!-that many who were spending their all in public-houses, and thereby bringing ruin upon themselves and their families, are become domestic and moral, if not religious characters-that many, who have scarcely had bread to eat, have submitted to privations and distress, rather than break the commandments of God, or the laws of their country."

Blackheath, 1814.-"The Bible Association formed in the Dock-yard at Woolwich has 705 subscribers at one penny a-week each, furnishing the The Committee remark, with the highest annual amount of £.151. 15s. satisfaction, that in many instances the perusal of the Word of God has produced, as was to be expected, a very manifest improvement in the moral In proof of this, the Committee conduct of those who have received it.' quote especially the language of Mr. Willmott, of the Woolwich rope-yard; who testifies, that there appears a general reform in the moral character of the rope-makers there employed.' Formerly, their habits were exceedingly censurable; intoxication and profane swearing being very common amongst them. 'But now,' he says, it is very unusual to see a single individual the least disguised in liquor, while on duty; nor does he ever now hear them make use of the profane and blasphemous expressions formerly so commonly indulged in that yard.''

6

Ditto, 1819." One of the parishes within the sphere of this Society's labours, and where an Association was formed about four years ago, consists chiefly of farmers, labourers, and mechanics. Every Sunday afternoon, it has been long customary for the farmer's men to assemble together in the stables, and talk over the occurrences of the week. The intention having been to divert each other, the practice, according to their own account, was to relate childish tales, and often false stories, for this purpose. Some of the men having been supplied with the Scriptures, it has afforded the Committee peculiar satisfaction to become spectators of the moral and religious benefit which has since accrued. Now, every Sunday afternoon, instead One of of meeting to gamble, engage in unbecoming games, and utter idle or profane language, they meet to hear the Scriptures read to them. their own party is often seen reading to the rest, while they earnestly listen to every word. Afterwards, too, as soon as they have attended to their unavoidable business, they no longer resort to a public-house, but devoutly attend a place of worship."

- "

the mother of a numerous family, Farnham Ladies', 1816.-" Mrs. which she had entirely neglected, for the sake of associating with persons of the most abandoned character, was formerly a bad wife, a careless mother, and an injurious neighbour. At the commencement of this Association, in August, 1814, she because a subscriber; and received a Bible in April, 1815. Some time afterwards, there was a visible alteration in the appearance of her children, who were much neater, and seemed happier than formerly:she has become active, sober, and industrious. She now reads the Bible as often as her numerous engagements will permit; is become a dutiful wife, an affectionate mother, a good neighbour; and no longer frequents the publichouse, and that abandoned society, which was once her chief employment and principal delight."

"A poor man, who was notorious principally for his intemperance and domestic misconduct, has exhibited a remarkable change in his behaviour. His child received a Bible from the Association twelve months ago; and for the greater part of this time he has been an altered character: he has

Farnham, Wokingham, St. Clement Danes, Windsor, Worcester, Plymouth.

not committed one act of intemperance; his family are now cleanly, and happy in participating a father's kindness, instead of the shameless brutality of intoxication; and he devotes all his leisure hours to the duties of home, and to the perusal of the Bible, which before were spent in the joyous though wretched insanity of the alehouse, and solely marked by the neglect of his family and every kind of religious duty."

3. Among the many collateral benefits of Bible Associations, few have been more decisively evinced than the increasing desire to possess the Book of Common Prayer, and other valuable publications of a kindred nature. The following evidences of this disposition will afford a satisfactory illustration of the remarks offered on this subject, in Section XII. of Chapter I.

Wokingham Ladies', 1820.-" Many of the poor, having been put in possession of the inspired volume, have become anxious to supply themselves with the Book of Common Prayer: and thereby, it may reasonably be concluded, they have gained more advantage from their attendance at Church than before this Association was established, when they had neither Bible nor Prayer Book."

St. Clement Danes, Westminster, 1816.-" Many of those who are at present subscribing for, or who have obtained the Scriptures, have eagerly inquired of the Collectors, how they may be supplied with the Common Prayer-Book."

Windsor, 1817.-" The Vicar of Staines stated a fact, that proved the support which Bible Societies afforded to the Established Church. At Staines, soon after an Auxiliary Society was formed, the demand for Prayer. Books greatly increased. The Church is better filled, the populace better disposed. Three hundred Prayer-Books had been since disposed of at a cheap rate; and the demand is not diminished."

Henley, 1816.—" Your Committee rejoice in being enabled to state, that the Ladies of the Henley Bible Association, both members of the Establishment and Dissenters, have, as individuals, received subscriptions for, and supplied the poor with, a greater number of copies of the Book of Common Prayer, at half cost price, than had been previously distributed in this district during many years: nor has a solitary case occurred wherein the application has not been promptly and cheerfully complied with.”

4. It has been already remarked, that an increasing desire on the part of both children and adults to learn to read, was one of the earliest effects produced by the Bible Society on the Continent of Europe. The following extracts will establish the fact of a similar disposition in our own country, and on the American continent.

Worcester, 1813.-"In the town and neighbourhood of Stourbridge, one hundred and ninety-six persons, between the ages of fifteen and forty-five, who, before the institution of a Bible Society in that neighbourhood, were unable to read, have voluntarily, between the hours of labour, began to learn, in order that they may peruse the Scriptures." To this statement it is added,—“ The places of public worship also are more numerously attended; and religious animosities are much softened, if not entirely subdued."

Plymouth Ladies', 1819.-" Adults have commenced learning to read. A very prosperous school of this description, containing forty scholars, traces its origin entirely to the influence of your Associations; and those previously existing have acknowledged considerable augmentation since the period of your commencement: scarcely one of the Associations but

SECT. VI.]

GENERAL REMARKS.

Increased desire to be taught how to read.

mentions some instance of this effect having been produced.Our Adult Schools,' say they, have been again revived; and the Collectors have recorded several instances of individuals, who, on their first visit, were totally unable to read, but can now peruse with facility a chapter in the Testament.' The number of children also, who applied for admission, particularly in the Sunday Schools, in the course of a few weeks after the formation of the Associations, was truly astonishing. In the female part of one school alone, the increase was from ninety to upwards of one hundred and It is a fifty and this increase was traced directly to this operating cause. pleasing fact, that, in one of these schools, twenty-five of the children became subscribers for Bibles and Testaments."

Cumberland, New Jersey, 1818.-" In this town we have had a Sunday School established for about three years; which is increasing. But since the formation of our Bible Society, EIGHT more Sunday Schools have been opened."

Reading Ladies', 1817.-" Anxiety to peruse their Bibles has likewise induced some, even in advanced age, to apply themselves so assiduously to improve in reading, as to make a surprising progress in a short period: several instances of this earnestness in children might be mentioned; but the following has been selected from many proofs of serious application in adults. On visiting an aged woman who had received a Bible, she declared it was the best piece of furniture in her house; adding, "Now that I have a Bible with so good a print, I shall try hard to get on in reading: for though I only knew my letters, last night, after persevering a little, I made out two or three verses; and I mean to continue spending my evenings in the same manner."

Godalming Ladies', 1815.-" A poor man, who had lately learned the value of the Bible, and could not read, determined to teach himself; and bought a Testament of a neighbour for a shilling, just before the commencement of this Association, and then began immediately to subscribe for a Bible: he has now, with much diligence and perseverance, learned to read; and his wife, who cannot yet read herself, says her husband is never happy if he does not read a chapter or two every evening. to his family. The instructions and comfort which they continually derive from reading their Bible, are their chief delight and subject of conversation."

Ditto." Another poor man and his wife, who have received a Bible, became very desirous of learning to read, and have now begun the man, especially, is so earnest, that when he has not much time to read in the evening, he will rise earlier in the morning, and has been seen at five o'clock pursuing his object: the neighbours remark, that this man has not been to the public-house so much since he has been learning to read."

Bristol, 1813.-Extract of a letter from a clergyman at Mitchel Dean, Gloucestershire." I was obliged to transfer nearly all the Testaments for the use of my Sunday School, which has increased wonderfully in number. At the time of my former application I had only about forty children; but since that time more than 500 have been entered on the books: 221 appeared at school last Sunday, and I may reckon on nearly 400 who attend at one time or other; though the scattered state of the population and distant residence are frequent hindrances. A few live near the school, but many more come five miles by eight o'clock in the morning. Among them are several lads nearly grown up to manhood, who have bought Bibles of me with their own earnings. Two years ago they were perfectly ignorant and vicious: now they are an advantage instead of a nuisance to society; have gained a taste for reading; and have learned to value that blessed book, which, it may be hoped, will be a lamp to their path through life. The spirit of inquiry for Bibles has appeared only within these last few months."