Megan:  Please contact the Colonial Williamsburg Research Library orthe British Library aswell as the Anglician Church in England.  Either of these resources can assist you.  I am not familiar with the Bray Society.  Jane Steele.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Megan Stubbendeck <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Jan 22, 2008 5:46 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [VA-HIST] Colonial Religion
>
>I am a graduate student from the University of Virginia doing work on colonial 
>Virginians' religious practices (primarily Anglican).  I recently ran across a 
>quote in the archives of the Library of Virginia.  Unfortunately, the quote is 
>anonymous.  I am posting in hopes that someone might have some ideas 
>about a possible author. The quote is below:
>
>Too many people suffer "the Want of proper Books" – thus the author has 
>taken up a collection to "send for Bibles, Prayer Books, Treatises on [the] 
>Sacrament, & other Religious Tracts, for the Use of the Poor of this Parish."  
>The minister now has these and will distribute.  Or, those who gave the money 
>could also distribute if they wish but "whosoever distributes this Excellent 
>Charity, this must be insisted upon, that some suitable & good Advice be given 
>at the same tim[e] for it will always be as Bp. Wilson observes 'that the Best 
>of Books, when lightly given, will be lightly valued, & as lightly made use of.'  
>The Benefit of this Charity to the Souls of Men appears at first Sight because 
>it tends to furnish their Minds with all necessary knowledge, which must be 
>laid as a Foundation for their Practice.  By this means they are instructed in 
>the great Points of Christian Belief & acquainted with the several branches of 
>their Duty, which relate to God, their Neighbour, and themselves.   It is not 
>enough that Men are made Christians by Baptism  They must understand the 
>Nature of the solemn Vow that they made  And as the Hope for the Blessed 
>Fruits & Effects of Christ's death, so they must perform those Conditions upon 
>which they are promised  For He is the Author of Salvation to none but those 
>that obey him. It is true, that it is a peculiar Advantage of the Members of the 
>Church of England that if they frequent the publick prayers, they constantly 
>hear a considerable Portion of the Holy Scriptures read to them,  But besides 
>this it will be very necessary in Order to instruct them in all the Particulars of 
>their Duty to lodge good Books in their Families,.  Of which the Bible ought to 
>have the Preference, because it is the written Word of God, & containes the 
>Terms and Conditions of their Eternal Happiness.  The Common-Prayer or 
>Liturgy of the Church of England ought to accompany it, because it is the 
>Service of the Church wherein they are obliged frequently to join, & therefore 
>cannot be too ell acquainted with it." Next, some treatises on the sacrament, 
>and The Whole Duty of Man.  And "if any be desirous of variety, ere are may 
>good tracts, both by Way of Restrain from Vice, Incitement to Virtue, which, 
>as they are both short & 0plain,m are most likely to be read & Considered; and 
>they mak[e] a much deeper Impression [on] the Mind than either general 
>Admonitions from the Pulpit, or particular Admonitions by Word of 
>Mouth….Great Men ought to take Care that all their Servants & poor 
>Neighbours be supplied with such good Books.  This method will make them 
>Preachers of Righteousness, &B give them a Share with the Authors of such 
>good Books, in the Reward of such Performances.  A Parcel of Books well 
>chosen by the Minister, or any other Person, who is sensible of the advantage 
>of such a Distribution, will put a new Life into the Practice of Religion.  Pious 
>Books distributed seasonably [?], in Families which lie without any Sense of 
>Religion, and consequently are running headlong to Hell, may by the Blessing 
>of God, recover them from the Misery that threaten them & make them serious 
>& devout  What Wonders of this Kin might Men of Fortune do if their Charity 
>bore but a just Proportion with their Riches."
>
>
>My first thoughts are that the author is probably a minister of some sort and 
>may be associated with a group like the Bray Society.  Any thoughts from any 
>one on the list would be greatly appreciated!
>
>-Megan Stubbendeck
>
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Lillian Jane Steele

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