Essay On Generous Donations

Ever since the age of the Apostles, with the exception of the previous century, the evangelizing spirit seems to have been paralyzed. Few and faint, compared with the magnitude and importance of the object, were the attempts to spread abroad the light of divine Truth. Its friends, however, have not been without exertions. Missionary societies are of considerable standing and have achieved wonders in sending the Gospel into every quarter of the globe, not only to the plains of India and sultry coasts of Africa, but to the savage natives of our own continent. May they go on and prosper! So bigoted are some Christians and so deficient yet in charity that such institutions too often excite envy and jealousy. What says the Apostle? “Every way, whether

Established upon such broad, tolerant principles, it engaged the public attention and obtained the support it merited. The encouragement it immediately received from the godly and wealthy exceeded the most raised expectations. Contributions from all classes have been immense. Thousands and millions of dollars have crowded into this treasury. The exertions they have made and the good effects produced almost exceed credibility. Editions of the Bible have been printed in a variety of European languages and copies without number dispersed among the poor and destitute. Generous donations have been granted for the purpose of expediting translations in the numerous languages of oriental India and other countries. Their charity has extended to the natives of America and to the tribes of Africa.
Numerous auxiliary societies have since been organized in the various parts of Europe and spreading abroad their charities. The holy flame has crossed the Atlantic and in this western hemisphere societies upon similar principles have been rapidly multiplying. The first was formed at Philadelphia in 1808. They are now the ornaments of our country in every State. The whole number rises to about sixty-eight, of which seven belong to this State, and they are still increasing. May they never cease while a family or individual on earth stands in need of their