IN ALL CORNERS OF THE EARTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 283, 28 November 1924, Page 9

IN ALL CORNERS OF THE EARTH.

BIBLE SOCIETY'S WORK. AMONGST THE HEATHEN. Printing the Bible into a multitude of tongues, and distributing the Scriptures amongst the races of the world is a responsibility left to the British. As the Empire's agent in this allimportant task stands the British and Foreign Bible Society. The tremendous amount of work done, the splendid victories achieved amongst the heathen, and the dangers and privations suffered by the missionaries in foreign fields were vividly brought before the minds of a large gathering at the Tabernacle last. evening, the occasion being the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the society. Mr. Robert A. Laidlaw presided

At the meeting the Key. A. T. Thompson, M.A., 8.D., who has been secretary for New Zealand for the past six years, delivered his farewell address prior to his leaving for Australia, where he will take up the duties of secretary of the society for the Commonwealth.

After referring with regret to Mr. Thompson's intended departure, Mr. Laidlaw, in speaking of Mr. C. E. G. Tisiiall, who had come from mission work in the East, said that the British should be proud to be those who should take the Bible amongst the heathen. In 600 A.D. the Bible had been translated into seven tongues. Since then there had been 333 npw translations, and 172 during the first 20 years of the present century. Last year £353,000 had been expended on the work.

In his address, the Rev. Thompson referred to the Wembley Exhibition. Never before, he said, had there been such an assemblage of persons* and products, and it was gratifying to know that the British and Foreign Bible Society had a stall there. The thought naturally arose—on what foundation arc all these races of the world built?—the Bible. He traced the colossal rise in the number of languages into which it had been translated, adding that 34,000,000 people could now read it in their own tongues. Referring , to the problems of the Pacific, the Rev. Thompson said that, despite the views taken by our naval and military authorities, and our politicians, the solution of the problem lay in the hands of the Christian Church.

Mr. H. M. Smeeton moved, and it was approved, that "This meeting offers its congratulations to the Rev, A. T. Thompson on his appointment to the very responsible position of general secretary for the Commonwealth of Australia. We desire to record our high appreciation of the great services he has rendered during the six years he has occupied a similar position in the Dominion, and earnestly pray that Divine blessing may rest upon him in hit new sphere of work."

Mr. C. X, G. Tisdall gave an address that was intensely interesting. He told of the privations gladly suffered by the missionaries in foreign fields, of the success they achieved, and of the loyal work done by the convert missionaries. He told how some of the latter had suffered terrible tortures, and even death, for the cause of the society.

The following officers and committees were elected: —President, Dr. Ayerill,. Bishop of Auckland; vicepresidente. Canon Baselden, Revs. Evan Harries, G. Bond, W. J. Kemp, Lionel Bl Fletcher and Mr. H. M. Smceton; secretary, Miss E. Harvey, whose excellent work was spoken of by all the speakers; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Macdonald: hon. auditor, Mr. T. E. Whiiton; committee. Canon James, M.A., the Revs. J. Wilkinson, W. A. Sinclair, C. H. Grant Cowen, L. B. Bnsfield, J. ■V. Jones, D.D., W. J. Ralph, W. D. M. Sutherland, Dr. W. H. Pettit, Messrs. A. Wilson, J. W. Court, H. Field, G. E. ,G. Tisdall, R. A. Laidlaw, W. R. Wilson, W. T. Brand, Chadwiok, E. Hale, .T. Fleming, R. L. Stewart, H. J. Edmiston, W. D. M. Glaister, F. J. Bodle and C. S. Falconer; advisory committee, ■Canon Haselden, Rev. G. Bond, Messrs. A. Wilson, A. Macdonald, H. Field, H. J. Edmieton, R. L. Stewart and C. K. G. Tisdall; representatives to Now Zea.ahd Council, Messrs. H. M. Sfflci>t.>n and H. Field.