BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 21, 16 October 1930, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the British -and Foreign Bible Society, Lower Butt •Branc-h, was held in St. Stephen's Manse on Wednesday, October 2nd. The Rev. J. E. Lopdell presided. After the (minutes of last year's meeting had -been ■read and confirmed,/the election of officers .took place and resulted as follows: (President, Mrs Lopdellj Vice-Presidents Mesdames MeCaw, Hansell, Sharp and •GiWbs. The -president reported that in spite of the general depression, the sum of £28 had been sent to headquarters. I Mr. Lopdell spoke of some of his ex- j periences during the war. When in'! France- he had Teceived regular sup- j plies of Testaments from the Bible So- ! 'cieityi The men kept coming, and ask- ; ing for thorn and carried-them in the ! breast pocket of their tunic. When opportunity occurred behind the lines or enroute, of, having" "a meeting, niimlbers of the lads gathered by a gi'oup of willows '.'or- beside a ruined house, and producing, theiT little khaki books, following the padre's reading. -After an action, when the padre and his burial ipai'ty were out on. the field^ the khaki covered book was f qiind - among the •home lettei-s and as. it usually, had on its front page, the name .and address of the next-of-kin, was.-sent back to these with aueh an account as the padre could give of -t/K-e passing of the soldier boy. '•'■ ■ '. " : ' ;;:' ■ Mrs. Porters told of the miraculous increase in the sales througihau.it the world. Everywhere the colporteurs tell of open doors and ready response and welcome where formerly was hostility and unfriendliness. Tswelve languages have been, reduced to print—-a notalble achievement—-so that friends of the. Society may well take heart and go forward. Canade sent a special gift this yeai' and this sum is set aside for the re-opening of the work in Russia, where, at present the Bible is banned. Very hearty thanks were given to both speakers, and afternoon tea was served by Mrs. Lopdell.