ADDRESS
OF THE
MANAGERS OF THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETYi,
TO ITS
AUXILIARIES, MIEMIBERS, AND FRIENDS,
IN REGARD TO A
GENERAL SUPPLY OF THE UNITED STATES
WITH
THE SACRED SCRIPTURES;
TOGETHER WITH
RESOLUTIONS AS TO THE DETAILS OF THE WrORK.
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY'S PRESS.
ASTOR I'PLACE; NEV YORK,
1856.








TO TIIE FRIENDS OF TIlE BIBLE,
OF ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
GENERAL SUPPLY OF TIIE UNITED STATES
WITHI THE BIBLE.
AT the last Anniversary of the American Bible Society,
held in New York on the 8th of May, 1856, the following
resolution  was unanimously  adopted  by the numerous
body of Mlembers present:
In view of the statements made by the iManagers in their Report, and
with the co-operation of those who view the Bible as indispensable to
our civil and religious welfare, this Society now Resolves, in humble
reliance on Divine aid, to enter on a second exploration of our entire
country, with the purpose of placing a copy of this Sacred Volume, as
early as practicable, in every destitute household where there is a willinzgness to'eceive it.
We give below  an address and resolutions, sent forth
by the Board of gManagers, to aid the Society in carrying
out its noble purpose.
AD.DRESS,
DEAR FriENDS AND FELLOW  LABOURERS:-Twenty-seven years
ago the American Bible Society adopted a resolution similar to the
one given above. On motion of the Rev. Dr. Milnor, seconded by
the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, it was,




4
"Resolved, That this Society, with humble reliance on Divine aidl,
will endeavour to supply all the destitute families in the United States
with the Holy Scriptures, that may be willing to purchase or receive
them) within the space of two years."'
By the blessing of God, in the course of that time, every accessible
family in the more settled portions of our country, was visited, and
supplied with the Bible-a noble determination, vigorously executed.
At intervals since that period, various localities have in the same
manner been explored and supplied; but during the past twenty-five
years no systematic and united effort has been made to place this
Book within every person's reach, while occasional exertions of our
Auxiliary societies in limited fields indicate a general increasing
want, and an absolute necessity of the measure now proposed.
In 1829-30 our population was 12,866,000: it is now 26,500,000.
Oar inhabited territory has increased in equal proportion.  Arkansas,
Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California, have
been added as States.  Territorial governments have been formed
in Minnesota, Nebraska; Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, and
Washington.  The necessity for forming such governments shows,
that a territory, of more than two million square miles, has been occupied by our increasing population since 1830-a territory twice
the size of that country, over which, the charities of the American
Bible Society were expanded, in passing the resolution to which we
have referred. In the same period the influx of foreigners has increased, from the rate of 23,000, to that of 360,000, in a year; and,
although now apparently diminishing, has added to our population.
during twenty-six years, more than 3,500,000: a large proportion of
these neither bring the Bible with them, nor love its truths.  Those
who have been willing to receive the Scriptures, have, for several
years, been generally supplied, on their landing among us. But the
greatest number arrive here prejudiced against the reading of God's
Word.' A  few years' residence within the sphere of our liberal
institutions, often proves sufficient, so to relax the bonds of superstition, as to render them accessible to our agencies. When, in addition.
we remezber the constant invisible operations of the Holy Ghost
upon human souls, preparing them  to receive with gladness the
m These States Nwere admitted into the Union in that order, and at the following dates;
1836, 37, 45, 45, 46, 48, 50. Comlpen. Census, p. 43.




ingrafted Word, we may well believe, that a majority of this foreignl
population is now willing to accept, and profit by, a general distribution of the Scriptures.
Ten millions of souls have been born among us within the last
twenty-six years.  Such a view of the increased field prepares us
to estimate certain facts, which have appeared in the experience
of our faithfill Auxiliaries.  We select a few.  In the city of Bal-.
timore, and St. Mary's and St. Charles Counties, Maryland, in
1855, after a regular annual distribution, continued through several
years, out of 16,000 families visited, 2,200 were found destitute of
God's Word. An exploration of the city of New York reveals the fact,
that one sixth of the families are without the Scriptures. In the
city of Cincinnati2 one sixth are destitute; in Louisville, one third.
The Virginia Bible Society reports, in 1851, that not less than 8,000
families in that State are destitute of the Bible. In Georgia, of the
families visited, a few years since, one third were destitute, and
nearly the same at one time in Illinois.
However frequently or carefully distribution may be made, the
want increases.  Onondaga County, New York, where it might be
supposed no serious lack of Scriptures could exist, was visited in
1843; in six years after, one ninth of the families were destitute.
Louisville, Kentucky, was thoroughly supplied in 1840; in 1850, one
third of the families were destitute.  New York city was supplied
soon after March, 1849; and although the work had often been done
before, 10,800 families were then found destitute.
From  such revelations of the dearth of God's Word where our
people have received it most freely, you may judge of the destitution among the scattered population, who occupy our Western, and
extreme Southern, States and Territories.  From  New York to Wisconsin, and from Maine to Georgia, including only those States
where explorations have lately been made, the ratio of destitution
ranges between one third and one ninth.  Takingf the mean, one
sixth, and estimating five in a family, we have the astounding fact,
that 883)000 families in our Christian land are utterly without the
Bible. Including our Territories, it will probably be much nearer
the truth to say, that 1,000,000 families in this country, where God's
Word is free to all, never see the Sacred Scriptures.
In presence of such a fact, the American Bible Society feels called




6
upon to address itself again to its great mission.  When God discloses such destitution, we must attempt, by his grace, to supply it.
No other body of Christian men, in our country, are so well prepared to undertake this act of religious humanity. The American
Bible Society therefore approaches the work, with a true sense of
its magnitude, but with humble reliance, on Divine aid; and, consequently, with the fullest faith that it will be accomplished. By
God's blessing, we intend not to leave one family, in any accessible spot within the United States or its Territories, unvisited, nor,
if they will receive it, unsupplied, with the good Word of God.
Our plan goes further. We design to supply all Sunday Schools
and youths, with the New Testament at least.  They are the hope
of the Church. We must lay a good foundation for that hope, by
giving them, liberally, the Gospel of Christ. Our plan still further
includes the supply of seamen, boatmen, railroad hands, stage drivers,
and others in like occupation, with the same blessing. We mean to
take advantage of every avenue of commerce, external and internal,
to extend a knowledge of the Scriptures. As our ships visit every
foreign port, so our boats, our trains, or our stages visit every town
and village, and hamlet, of our land. We desire that they shall
carry every where a savour of the good Word of Truth.  Nor less is
it in our minds, that these neglected classes of our community, who,
by the necessities of their occupation, are in great measure deprived
of other opportunities of grace, shall at least hear God speaking to
them messages of salvation from his own Book.
For the accomplishment of such a work we do not limit ourselves
as to time; but with our present facilities of communication,  we
may well hope that our labour will be early completed. Yet if
necessary, years must be given to it. "'God is never in haste;"
and having laid upon us the duty, He will require only that we
employ all possible energy.
Our plan depends for its effectiveness, in the first place, upon the
zeal and efficiency of our Auxiliaries.  When we speak of the American Bible Society, we speak of them, as integral parts of its one body.
They are its acting limbs. In every district of our country where
they are established, the work must be done by them. In those
immense districts where it is not possible at present to form branch
associations, the Parent Society will endeavour to provide some other




7
instrumentality; but nothing must be expected from it in the way of
actual exploration and supply. WNhere our Auxiliaries exist, exhibiting that life which is in all healthy members of the body of Christ,
surely we shall not look in vain for hearty co-operation, and full
Success.
If our voice can reach any Auxiliaries, which are sleeping on their
posts, we beseech them, for the Lord's sake, to awaken to a sense of
the responsibility He has laid upon them. For that famine of the
Word of God, which is now reducing religion around them to a very
spectral life, they are in'great measure answerable.  While men
slept, the enemy has crept in and sown his tares. But an immediate.
energetic effort may recover the ground which has been lost. The
Lord whom they serve, the Lord who has committed to their steward.ship the field in which he cast their lot, expects it of them. Let us
count upon the reviving energies, and the now earnest co-operationl of
all Bible associations which have suffered themselves to be beguiled
into slothfulness1
Our plan contemplates that Pastors and Missionaries, especially
those engaged among seamen and boatmen, Sunday School teachers.
Bible agents and colporteurs, will associate themselves in this work, or,
at least, act in it, in connexion with the local Auxiliaries. Our
success depends, not upon rambling effort, however energetic; nor
upon spasmodic effort, however enthusiastic; but upon effort in which
energy and enthusiasm shall be thoroughly systematized. We therefore urge upon those who are accustomed to lead men, to lend their
wisdom to our Auxiliaries, and to take part in some general plan
with them. Upon all other Christians, who have, or can make, time
and opportunity, for gratuitous service in this great work, we call,
with anxious hope that they will devote themselves to it patiently
and diligently, until the work is completed. Without doubt, every
parish in our country might furnish at least one person, capable of
exploring the district immediately within its bounds. Of 38,000 congregations in our land, at least 25,000 are friendly to our effort:
probably not less than 20 000 already in some degree co-operate with
us. Let us hope, then, but for one labourer in every congregational
district, and at once an army of 20,000 agents will be volunteered
for this campaign. To organize this force, we ask only that they
will severally report themselves to their Pastors as ready for work,




and through them  act in conjunction with the nearest Auxiliary or
Bible agent. These authorities, with whom the Parent Society will
communicate, will arrange all details of labour.
The largest portion of the work, we do not doubt, will be accomplished by those faithful women whose hearts the Lord has touched;
to whom, like Eunice and Lois, the Scripture of truth has proved
hid treasure; and who, in the unselfishness of their nature, cannot but
speak freely of what they have found. If we forbear to call upon
them for aid, except in general terms, it is only because we know
that, of themselves, they will be foremost to engage in this labour
of love.
Wherever possible we advise that the work shall be done by a
voluntary force; for all the funds that can be spared will be needed
to enable our presses to meet the increased demand. But where
volunteers cannot be found, let paid agents be employed; for by
whatever means the intended result must be reached.
Students of theology could scarcely employ vacations more profitably. We invite them to offer their services to the Auxiliary of
their district; and we affectionately direct the attention of Auxiliaries to them as likely to prove most efficient helpers, well worthy of
confidence and support.
We anticipate effectual assistance from the Christian officers of
our Army and Navy-men who so nobly illustrate the grace of God,
amidst the difficulties of their profession. They occupy our distant
seaports, and those outposts of population, which we shall despair of
reaching through any other instrumentality. We direct their attention especially to the destitute border population, to the Indians,
and to trains of emigrants and traders in their neighbourhood. We
solicit their co-operation in supplying every destitute individual, who
can make use of it, with a copy of the Word of God; and we engage to meet liberally all their demands of books for this purpose.
Our plan requires for its completeness, on the part of our Auxiliaries and friends, only one other duty; viz., to provide means whereby
the Parent Society may be able to send out copies of God's Word to
every quarter. When Auxiliaries order books, let them pay in advance, at least to some extent, if possible. Whenever they have a
surplus, let them invest it immediately, and. secure an interest for it,
in enabling our presses at the Bible House to pour out Bibles for




9
gratuitous distribution.  And to friends generally, we say, Let not
your hearts grow cold, nor your hands be slack, when we are entering upon the greatest undertaking which has ever engaged the
American Bible Society.
Such in brief is our plan.  Minor details must be left for the
judgment of those, who best understand the several localities. Our
watchwords are, System and unity, energy and patience. What we
ask is, that every man, woman, and child, whose heart God has
touched with the love of Christ, acting either through our Auxiliaries,
our Agents, the Parent Society, or some other way, will give themselves heartily to the great purpose of supplying every family, within
our extended borders, with the Word of God.
The scheme is large, and therefore worthy of the American Bible
Society. Divine Providence proposes small ends to small abilities;
but when He raises up a great Institution, gives it a large hold upon
the hearts of his people, endows it with great resources, and endues
it with a spirit of benevolence, it is that He may accomplish by it
great results. W'"e should not act worthily of our position, did we
not attempt so Mhe great thing for the glory of God, and the welfare of
our country.
The enterprising spirit of the age encourages us. Surely force
of will within the Church, at least equals that, which, outside of it,
accomplishes labours at which the world wonders. The Church
always feels the spirit of the age; and when Christianized, it becomes, according to God's appointment, an efficient force suited to her
times. Whilst then the children of this world are intensely active,
let the enterprise of the children of light be called out and directed.
We hold before you the certain promise of gaining souls for Christ;
for the Word of God is a life giving seed. It never returns unto
Him void; what it touches, it invigorates; where it enters, it enlivens; where it lodges, it germinates, until the whole soul is
crowded with evidences of a blessed, spiritual, new life.  We propose to you an adventure; not a worldly speculation, but an enterprise in which means are proportioned to the end; which, applied by
prayer, and the requisite human labour, must accomplish the end,
in which the only venture is that of faith upon the assurances of
God. The very spirit of the age encourages us to believe, that
Christians will be found prepared to make this venture for Christ's




10
sake. The world engages in great labours, and never wants for
means or men. We feel every confidence, then, that this body of
Christ and its members will carry their great design to a successful
result. /
The occasion is opportune. Under God our means are adequate.
Contrast our present ability with that which undertook the former
general distribution of the Scripture, and you will be convinced that
we now advance to no hopeless undertaking. In 1829, the American
Bible Society employed only seven travelling Agents, and had only
seven hundred Auxiliaries; whereas, in 1856 we number thirty-five
Agents, and nearly three thousand Auxiliaries organized in every
portion of the field. In 1829 the American Bible Society had been
able to accumulate only 360,000 volumes to meet the exigency, and
the whole capacity of its presses and bindery was only 300,000
volumes per annum. In 1856 the Society reports the number of
volumes prepared for circulation during the past year more than
three times this number; with the sheets on hand, in the course of a
few weeks, 200,000 volumes could be thrown into circulation; and
the capacity of its presses and bindery is not limited even by one
and a half million per annum. The Board of Managers feel that
God has brought the Society to this eminent position of ability, for
the great purpose which his Spirit has now revealed, in actuating
them and you, to undertake this proposed thorough exploration and
supply of our whole country. His gracious blessing, continually
vouchsafed, encourages the effort. The present Annual Report records facts of unequalled interest and animation. By every evidence
of the good hand of our God upon us, we are bidden out to new
efforts of Christian philanthropy.
Nor are motives wanting. " The love of Christ constraineth us,'
brethren-that love which has bought us to Himself, and binds us
together in one fellowship. The impulses of that charity of God's
dear Son cannot but be beating in the souls of all who call themselves by His dear name. Every tie that binds us to Christ Jesus
bands us together for accomplishing the mission dearest to His heart.
If then there be in you the same mind which was in Him, we knowthat you will be willing fellow labourers with us in this effort, to
spread a knowledge of His great salvation.
We find a motive in the present social and political condition of




1
our country. That selfishness, which equally with enterprise characterizes the times, has loosened social bonds, disintegrated the
brotherhood, and taught our countrymen to seek individual welfare
rather than the happiness of a united community. The surest corrective of erroneous social ideas, and the truest shield of political
stability, are to be found in the principles of the Divine Word.  Let
us disseminate this charter of our free institutions.  Let God's Book
teach men not to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but in
love to serve one another; and that then only we are free indeed,
when the unselfish, brotherly, loving Spirit of Jesus makes us free.
Let us strengthen the position of this corner stone of our political
existence, so that it can never be removed from the foundation.  In
1777, Congress ordered 20,000 copies of the Bible to be imported for
distribution-Congress thus becoming the first American Bible Society. Now that we have been permitted to succeed, to what was then
consecrated as a high national duty, inspired by sentiments of holy
reverence for Scripture as the very basis of our political institutions,
let us place in the hands of every family, within our territory, this
charter of our rights and liberty.
We find another motive in the abounding of infidelity.  Liberty
unchristianized soon degenerates into licentiousness. Perfect freedom
of thought, which, when sanctified by heavenly grace, blesses all,
becomes a curse when exercised without the sanctions of the Divine
Word.  Imported infidelity has also largely deteriorated the mind of
our country.  Much skepticism  likewise results from the first unbinding of the eyes of those, who have been educated in superstitious
ignorance of Scripture.  It indicates the first step of transition from
that thraldom and darkness of conscience, into the light and freedom
of perfect truth.  The process of deterioration, if not hindered, or of
transition, if not rightly carried out, will be disastrous.  The true corrective for infidelity is the free circulation of the Scriptures.  We have
confidence in God's Word to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The
Bible is its own best advocate-its own most effectual vindication
and our country and the times, our Master and his mission, look to
us to furnish to every household the Bible; whether as the remedy
for the disease, the antidote for the poison, or the preventive for the
curse, of infidelity.
Lastly, we find motive in our common desire for the speedy




12
establishment of our Saviour's kingdom. To that end the distribution of Holy Scripture is an appointed precedent and an effectual
instrumentality. Reading the Bible awakens attention to truth. It
creates a desire to listen to God's ambassadors.  It confirms and
sanctions instructions that are according to godliness. It prepares
an open door for every other means of spreading a knowledge of salvation, whether by the ministry, by tracts, by Sunday School instruction, or by the visits of colporteurs. All other efforts presuppose
this basis-knowledge of and confidence in the simple Word of God:
nor can Christ's kingdom ever become universal, until this seed of
the Word shall be planted in the intellectual apprehension, and the
affectionate belief, of every creature. As then our souls long for the
time, when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
we must be in earnest in providing every household, and as far as
possible every individual, with the truthful words of the living God.
Such is the work, brethren in Christ, in which we desire you to
become our fellow helpers-a work whose importance is surpassed by
no other effort of Christian benevolence; and whose encouragements
and motives combine all that can arouse the energies, or draw out the
affections of a Christian soul. It is a work for which we are thoroughly prepared. It is a work which is to employ our hearts and
hands unceasingly until accomplished; a work which, in every household of our land, is to lay foundations for the successful ministering
of every other means of grace.  It is the work which all providential circumstances of our position indicate, and all God's blessings poured upon our associated effort demand.
We do not approach such an undertaking with any self reliance.
Our help is in the name of the Lord. " I will yet for this be inquired
of by the house of Israel, to do it for them," is a Divine direction to us,
as to the ancient people. God has, indeed, given us the will: and
the work is ours: but the strength is all his own, and the successful
accomplishment in his disposal.  We call you then, brethren, to
prayer, as well as to labour. Let every plan and effort be consecrated by devout supplication. A Divine blessing on our mutual
exertions will enable us, to ":bring forth the headstone thereof with
shoutings of, Grace, grace unto it."
While the details of labour must be left to our Auxiliaries, it is
fitting that the suggestion shall come from our Parent Society. That




13
great heart beats healthfully, and all its impulses are quickened by
the love of Christ. As its pulsations thrill through every member
of the one body, we know that there will be answering motion in
every joint and limb. It will be as when a giant wakeneth. We
wait trustfully until the American Bible Society, having executed
this great benevolent mission, and planted the Word of Truth in
every home of our land, under the blessing of God, shall be felt to
be a power on the earth preparing the way of the Lord.
Signed by order and in behalf of the Board of Managers of the
American Bible Society.
THEO. FRELINGHUYSEN, President.
THOS. COCK,'         WM. B. CROSBY,
LUTHER BRADISH,      BENJ. L. SWAN,  Vice Presidents.
A. BRUYN HASBROUCK, FRANCIS HALL, )
J. C. BRIGHAM,
JOSEPH HOLDICH,  Cor. Secretaries
JAS. H. M'NEILL, )
HENRY FISHER, Assistant Treasurer
CALEB T. ROWE, General Agent.
SUBSEQUENT  RESOLUTIONS  OF THIE  MANAGERS.
1. Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the local Bible
societies throughout the country to adopt measures for supplying with
the Bible, as early as practicable, all destitute families within their
respective limits.
2. Resolved, That, in prosecuting this work, regard should also be
had to children and youth, who have great need of the Scriptures for
Sabbath School and other purposes, and who should be furnished with
the New Testament, at least, as far as possible.
3. Resolved, furthermore, That seamen, boatmen, railroad hands,
stage drivers, &c., who are favoured with few Sabbath privileges,
have increased necessity for the written Word of God, and should be
furnished with it.




14
4. Resolved, That, in entering on the proposed undertaking, it will
be for the benefit of all concerned, that a portion, at least, of the funds
required for the purchase of books, be raised and forwarded when
orders for books are made. The Parent Society will thus be furnished with ready means for preparing books with economy, and the
Auxiliaries saved from a protracted, disheartening debt.
5. Resolved, That in effecting the proposed supply by the Auxiliaries, it is desirable that the work be performed, as far as possible, by
self denying volunteers, each taking an assigned district; and that
when hired labourers are necessary, they be sustained, as far as practicable, by the local societies, and aid from the Parent Society, when
needed, be sought in the way of books, rather than funds for colportage.
6. Resolved, That the various Auxiliaries, as they enter on the proposed supply, be requested to inform this Board when they commence
their labours, and also furnish the results when the work is completed, that the same may be published in the Bible Society Record
and Annual Reports.
7. Resolved, That in portions of the country where Auxiliaries cannot be found, or relied on for supplying the destitute, the Committees
on Distribution and on Agencies be instructed to adopt such other
methods for securing a supply, as may be deemed most expedient and
effective.




What Book for General Supply?
This is a very important question. Illn too many instances the small type (nonpareil)
Bible has been ordered for this purpose, because it is cheap-catalogne or cost price, thirty
Dents; to Auxiliaries, twenty-five cents. That book, however, is designed mainly for Sunday
Schools, and those who have young eyes; but when we come to furnish a book for a fasnily, where there are adults, and often aged persons, a larger book should be sought. A
distinguished layman in the country, who has devoted much time and attention to the supply
of lestiticte families, told our Managers, some years since, that they ought never to furnish
a book for that object which is worth less than half a dollar.  This, we believe, is sound
adlvice.  The Managers have' therefore in readiness for that object a Brevier Biblecost or catalogue price, fifty cents; to Auxiliaries, forty-five cents. This is a book of such
size and type that all members of a family can read it. To render it still more valuable,
particularly to those who have not a concordance, the headings (or contents) of chapters are
reprinted by themselves at the close of the book, so that almost any topic of the Bible is thus
easily found.
We give below a specimen of the type of this Brevier Bible; and would hope, that while,-ther books are ordered for other purposes, this may be called for extensively to supply
destitute families.
11 The Lord gave the word: great was   15 And that from  a child thou hast
the company of those that published it.  known the holy Scriptures, which are
Psalm LXVIII.   able to make thee wise unto  salva39 ~ Search the Scriptures; for in  tion through faith which is in Christ
them  ye think ye have eternal life:  Jesus.
atid they are they which testify of me.    16 All Scripture is given by inspiration
John V.   of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
I11 These were more noble than those  reproof, for correction, for instruction in
in Thessalondica, in that they received  righteousness:;he word with all readiness of mind, and    17 That the man of God may be persearched the Scriptures daily, whether  feet, thoroughly furnished unto all good
those things were so.         Acts XVII.   works.                         II. Tim. III.