OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 11265, 12 June 1900, Page 1

OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

At the annual meeting of the Otago Bibl« Society, held at four o'clock vesterdav afternoon, Mr William Brotrn (presidertf; in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the Otago Bible Society had arrived at their thirty-fifth year. 'He called their attention to the great work that was being curried on by Bible societies m the Old Country. The British and loreign Bible Society had under the issue department some 725 colporteurs travelling m various countries and selling, the books which had been issued, and 550 Bible women also undertook similar work. The society for some time past had made it abundantly clear that there was rcallv an ojien door in Russia for their particular kind of work. Last year one-seventh 6f the whole issue of the British and Foreign Bible Society was distnuuted in the various districts of liussia. J his year about one-eighth of the work was distributed there. The number of dialects into winch the Bible was translated iu llussia was thirty. There was a very large issue m China «3so. The National Society of Scotland devoted a considerable amount 01 their issue to China about cncnalf. Some idea of the extensive character of the work might be gained from some figure* that he would qiiote. This year the issue of the British and Foreign Society, including Bibles, Testaments, and "portions," amounted to 4.479,000. Th« issue of the National Bible Society of Scotland amounted to 955,000. If they put those two together they had a total issue between these two societies alone ol 5,400,000. There was another Bible Society located in Ireland, and although their opera", tions were not so extensive as those in England and Scotland, they issued last year 30.000. Another very large Bible Society, m America, issued last year'l.oSl.OQQ Bibles. The total issue of the four societies he mentinned during last year was 6,848,000. That was the work of four Bible societies. duriv;< one year; but he would give their iigurcs'i which would indicate the extent oM ..(.•.! issue during the whole period of their i>sis|, encp. _ The Biitish and Foreign S'ocictv ':v| been in existence ninety-three year:'", ih". Hibernian ninety-three years, tin;" Aim'ric:':i eighty-three years. The National Bib!-; Society of Scotland hail been in evi"k:''< for thirty-nine years, but that society in't I '- ered together on their formation Bible ;■■■- cieties which had been issuing in forms for thirty years. The total work o! these societies duiing tlio whole of the iinvi they were in existence amounted to an issue of 250,000.000. The total amount collected by the collectors for the Otago Society 'lining the past year was £285 18s sd, to'which had to be added £4 in donations, and certain money collected at the meetings held by the Rev. Messrs Spencer, Reid, and M'Cully, making «. total of £3OB 12s. Last year there wtis a balance, in hand of 2d, this year £lB 17s. He moved—- " Adopt the report, express gratitude to Cod for His abundant blessing on the work of the society during the year, and anew commend the work of the Otago Bible Society to tho Christian public as worthy of the most liberal support." Mr R. Chisliolm. in seconding the motion, said it was certainly gratifying to iiud that the work of the society had increased during the last year. Those who had been actively engaged in that work had the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts had been crowned with success. It was very'gratifying indeed to find that the generosity and liberality of tho people of Otago had-not been wanting in connection with the Bible Society when it had been so manifest in other quarters. No argument was needed in support of the resolution. The fact was that the spread of the Bible did not require any commendation from anyone. The Book was unique in this respect—that it carried its own power and force with it. The motion was then put and carried. The Rev. A. North moved—"That this meeting express gratification at the success of tne society's work for another year, as evidenced in the awakened interest'and increased contributions, and record their heartiest thanks to the collectors through whom, under God, this has been achieved, for their continued interest and self-denying labors for the society." He urged that the way in which the colporteurs in all parts of "the world were at work preparing the way for the advent of the missionary was worthy of notice. He did not know "whether the" attention of the meeting had been directed to the work done for the blind, and especially for the blind in China, where they were very numerous. There were great n'mnhc-rs of blind in China who were now able I<> read the Book of God through the ministrations of the British and Foreign Bin!' 1 Society, which were assisted in so:uo by the Otago Society. The Rev. A. Cameron seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev. 1.-Jolly moved—" That this meeting record their thanks to the Rev. F. H. Spencer (agent of the B. and F.B. Society <i New Zealand) for his visit to Otago ami Southland last year, and for the earnest. energetic, and hopeful way in which lie did his work. They also extend a.welcome to hiin for his proposed visit this year, and cordially commend him to friends of the. society wherever he may go."—This was seconded by Mr A. C. B'egg and carried. On the motion of the Rev. D. Borrie it was resolved—" That this meeting recoixl their hearty appreciation of the interest in the society and co-operation of the Rev. A. North for many years ; their regret at losing his services as a member of the Board ; and their prayer that the richest blessing of God may follow him and his family to India, and bless their services in that 'great land."— The Rev. Mr North, in returning thanks, said that it had been a joy to him to labor in this City. He was going awav, not because he was tired of the place or of the work here, but because he thought he heard the call of the King to go elsewhere. He had counted it a privilege to ttdse any part in the work of the society, and would'commend the work very heartily to all, and especially to his successor, whoever he might be. On the motion of Mr A. C. Beg", seconded by the Rev. Mr Jolly, Mr R. Chisholm, the Rev. J. Muirhead. and Mr Finest Rosevear were elected to till the vacancies on the Board through the retirement of members, and Colonel Morris was elected in the room of the Rev. J. M. Friuser, who had resigned