Dover Baptise Association.
--The proceedings of this body yesterday were highly interesting, though our space will permit of only a meagre report.
The forenoon was devoted to a discussion of army colportage.
Rev. W. M. Young, Post
Chaplain at
Petersburg, gave some thrilling facts and incidents illustrative of the vast good which has been effected by the distribution of religious literature among the soldiers.
A few months ago he gave a tract to a sick soldier and was pleased to see with what delight he perused it. While going up Main street yesterday he was hailed by a soldier sitting on the pavement and addressed as follows: ‘"Parson, you gave me a tract when I was in the hospital.
I thank God that it has been blessed to the good of my soul.
I expect to live for the cause of
Christ and to preach the Gospel."’
A mother who recently visited her son in the hospital, was delighted to find that he had been converted from the reading a tract published by this society.
The reverend gentleman had seen many such instances, and believed that it was almost impossible to over estimate this blessed instrumentality.
Rev. R. Ryland, D. D., said that he had, from an early period in the war, been acting as colporteur to the hospitals in this city.
If all the stirring incidents which came to his observation were written out, every week's work would fill a page of one of our city papers.
Not one case in a hundred in which the work is blessed to the conversion of souls is reported.
The
Doctor believed that no man, except those who were personally engaged in army colportage, could form any adequate idea of the vast good that is being done in this department.
Addresses were also delivered by
Revs. J. L. Burrows,
J. B. Jeter,
L. W. Seeley,
J. B. Watkins,
A. E. Dickinson,
J. Walker, and others.
It was determined to hold the next annual meeting at
Beulah,
King William county, and
Rev. J. B. Solomon appointed to preach the introductory sermon.
A resolution exhorting the churches to give more attention to the religious instruction of the colored people was adopted.
Rev. G. G. Exall read the circular letter to the churches.
Dr. W. H. Gwathmey offered a series of resolutions calling upon the churches to humble themselves before God, and to be earnest in prayer, that seasons of refreshing may be sent upon us. This resolution was passed after stirring addresses by
Drs.
Gwathmey,
Jeter, Solomon, and
Fonerden.
Rev. R. H. Land was appointed to prepare the next circular letter.
After a pleasant session the Association adjourned to meet next year at
Beulah,
King William county, Virginia.
