d causes. According to the
provisions of his grace, it is intended for dissemination through the
voluntary agency of those who love it. "Enlarge the place of thy tent,
and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not,
lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes: for thou shalt break
forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the
Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for
thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt
not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and
shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker
is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the
Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called."[286]

Through Bible Societies. The fact is singular, that the operation of
these is the first great exemplification made in the last times, as it
is among the highest applications, of the principle of co-operation on
the part of many for good. It shows that God in his providence, in a
wondrous manner, leads men to do what he has enjoined in his word;
honours his own institutions; and teaches the lesson, that in
accordance with the facilities presented by him, should be the dutiful
energetic endeavours of all towards the exhibition of his truth. Was it
dutiful for fathers to teach their children the law of God? Was it
dutiful for the priests to read it to the people of Israel assembled at
their solemn feasts? It is dutiful for all who have the whole word of
God, to use every lawful means in their power to make others know it.
Was it dutiful to make use of one copy of the law for instructing the
people, when only one could be obtained? It is dutiful so to make use of
as many copies of the Scriptures as can be found, nay, to aid in
producing copies of them to the utmost limits of our ability, that they
may be sent to those who are in darkness. To the greatest extent of the
capacities of all, it is dutiful for them to obtain and distribute
copies of the blessed word. Every member of the Church of Christ, from
the days of infancy to those of extreme old age, should be a member of a
Bible Society; and, till the many millions of the human family have the
word in their hands, that it may take possession of their hearts, it
should be distributed. Every discovery in science, every acquisition in
literature, every improvement or invention in ar