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 > >______________________________________ >To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at >http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html Lillian Jane Steele ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html