BIBLE SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 285, 2 December 1933, Page 12

BIBLE SOCIETY.

AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES. INCREASE IN INCOME. The annual meeting of the Auckland auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in the Baptist Tabernacle on Thursday evening. Mr. R. A. Laidlaw presided. An apology for absence was received from the president, Archbishop Averill. Commenting on the financial position, Mr. Laidlaw said that the increase in donations was "very satisfactory. In stressing the unifying influence of the Bible, he recounted personal experiences gained during a tour abroad. The secretary, Miss A. Young, said that the income for the past year amounted to £"2153, which was more than in the previous year. The latest figures from London, she reported, showed that in the last 12 months over 10,000,000 copies of the Scripture had been circulated, an increase of more than 65,000 over the previous year. Twelve new translations had been added to the society's list of 667 languages in which Scriptures had been published. New branches of the Auckland auxiliary had been formed at Papakura, Hunua, Mangere East, Ruawai, Russell, Kerikeri and Rangitaiki, and the branches at Waipu and Maungaturoto had been reorganised. Recently, concluded the report, the resignation of Mr. F. J. Bodle, a member of the society for over 40 years, had been received with regret. The election of officers resulted: — President, Archbishop -Averill; vicepresidents, Canon J. Haselden, the Rev. E. R. Harries, Captain W. T. Brandon, Messrs. R. L. Stewart and R. A. Laidlaw; honorary treasurer, the Rev. L. B. Busfield; honorary auditor, Mr. T. E. Whitton; honorary solicitor, Mr. W. D. M. Glaister; committee, the Revs. A. V. Whiting, L. B. Busfield, Morrison Sutherland, R. Gebbie, Dr. C. H. Laws, Messrs. S. Barry, W. D. M. Glaister, C. E. G. Tisdall, H. Chadwick, R. H. Utting, H. Ennor, F. W. Gaye, E. W. Birch and Staff-Captain Hayes. "Romance surrounds the Bible at every stage of .ite growth," declared Dr. W. Graham Scroggie, of Edinburgh, at present acting pastor of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, in the course of an interesting address on "The Romance, Values and Claims of the Bible.'? Although the revelation of the Bible extended over thousands of years its literary expression was accomplished in % much shorter period. The manner in which it had been preserved in spite of oppression was nothing short of miraculous.