Founder Of Bible Reading Fellowship Visits Gisborne

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22889, 8 March 1949, Page 4

Founder Of Bible Reading Fellowship Visits Gisborne

He had travelled throughout Australia and Tasmania and through most of New Zealand and for spectacular scenery thought New Zealand beat anything he had ever seen, said Canon L. G. Mannering, Bristol, speaking to members of the Gisborne Rotary Club yesterday. During his tour of Australia and Now Zealand he had met many members of the Bible Reading Fellowship, of which he was the founder, said Canon Mannering. He explained that when he was the vicar of a parish in South London lie had felt the importance of helping people to read the Bible. With the assistance of his clergy a pamphlet had been produced each month. Printed on the pamphlet was a passage from the Bible together with brief explanatory notes.

The fellowship had now grown into a world-wide organisation to which about 7500 New Zealanders belonged. Canon Mannering continued. It had been a great joy to him to meet these people during his tour in New Zealand.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the fellowship had been celebrated in London in 1047, when, following a service in Westminster, there was a meeting of over 4000 people in Westminster Hall. Her Majesty the Queen, a member of the fellowship, had spoken at this gathering and had emphasised the necessity of both adults and children reading the Bible.

A handsomely inscribed book, signed by the Queen, was presented to the founder at this meeting and Canon Mannering yesterday displayed that book, together with photographs, to Rotarians.

On behalf of members of the club, Canon Mannering was thanked by the chairman for the day, Mr. C. A. Harries.