BIBLE SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9090, 29 April 1890, Page 2

BIBLE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Christchurch auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the Y.M.C.A. Hall last evening. There was a fairly numerous attendance, including many ladies. The Rev T. Flavell presided. The “ Old Hundredth” was sung and prayer was offered by the Chairman. The Chairman attributed the paucity of attendance to the many important meetings being held that night. He paid a tribute of respect and appreciation to the late Assistant Secretary, Mr W. H. Shaw. He went on to speak of ,the Bible as a fountain of spiritual power. Dr Boyd Carpenter, a Bampton lecturer, had recently borne testimony to this fact. He (the Chairman) gave two instances of scriptural quotations having been made use of by unbelieving writers, who recognised their power without knowing their source. He apologised for the absence of Messrs H. R. Webb and W. H. Hargreaves. The Rev J. Aldred read the annual report of the Canterbury auxiliary, which stated that the amount remitted to the parent Society was <5285, the same as in the previous year. The free contributions exceeded those of the previous year by £3O. During the year 2030 copies of the Bible had been sold at the central dep6t; 393 had been supplied to branches, and 12 copies given to St Catherine’s Lodge. Two years ago the Canterbury auxiliary had been divided, Timaru being constituted the South Canterbury auxiliary, and this accounted for any falling off in the receipts. During the year it had pleased God to take to Himself two prominent friends of the Society-—the Rev T. R. Fisher and Mr IV. H. Shaw. Mr Fisher was really the founder of the Canterbury auxiliary, had been an indefatigable Secretary and a large contributor to its funds. Mr Shaw for many years was one of the Secretaries. He died with his harness on, having conducted two services during his last Sabbath on earth. The report concluded with a quotation from the parent Society’s report, which stated that the past year had not been : specially progressive. There had been fewer legacies, and the total receipts were i lower than last year’s by £38,,000,and there j was an actual deficit of some £13,000. There was a pleasing increase of Home | free contributions, but the return of issues j showed a considerable decrease, i Mr W. Chrysfcall read the statement of ' accounts, which showed that during the past year the receipts had amounted to . £328 5s 3d; of this £283 had been remitted to the parent Society. The expenses had ■ amounted to £2l 18s, and there was a balance of £2l 7s 3d in hand. He coni sidered that it was gratifying that the ! donations had been so large, and hoped 1 that this year Rakaia, Lseston, Akaroa and Lyttelton, which had not hitherto contributed, would be induced to do so. j The Rev Dr E.lmslie moved that the j report be adopted and printed, and I referred to the great amount of good done by the Society, and the vast number of copies of the Scriptures circulated through . its agency. j The Eev J. Hoatsoa seconded the ! motion in an able speech, and it was I carried unanimously. I The Rev H. T, Robjohns, the parent 1 Society’s deputy, moved ; meeting acknowledges with sincere thanksgiving the continued blessing of Almighty God on the operations of the parent Society and on all kindred Societies, and appeals once more to the Christian public of Canterbury for their prayers, sympathy and support on behalf of the Society's funds.” In view of the falling off in the funds of the Society, he made a strong appeal for further contributions. Last year. New Zealand had only contributed £441, or Jda head of population. He introduced to the notice of the meeting the Bible translated into Raratongan, and gave a number of interesting details about its history. He spoke warmly in defence of the Society’s missions, and answered the unfair criticisms made against them. He referred to the splendid exhibit of the Bible Society at the recent Paris Exhibition, and how the Society found a champion in the editor of Le Figaro, The Kov P. Knowles seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The R sv J. Hoatsoa proposed, and the

Rev Dr Elmslie seconded —“ That tha cordial thanks of this meeting be accorded to the collectors for their efficient services; also to the Treasurer, Secretary. Committee; and that the following gentlemen he the officers and Committee for the year: Treasurer, Mr W.Chrystall; Secretary, Rev J. Aldred; Committee, Messrs C. R. Blakiston, J. Cameron, W. H. Hargreaves, J. Anderson, E. Dawson, H. E. Webb, J. M. Hey wood, R. W. Black, H. W. Packer, R. H. Fisher, J. Broughton, and F. S. Malcolm, with ministers of all denominations who subscribe to the Society’s funds.” The motion was unanimously agreed to, and the meeting terminated with the Benediction, after a vote of thanks to tha Chairman.