BIBLE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9504, 3 May 1911, Page 6

BIBLE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.

ADDRESSES AT TIIE MUNICIPAL HALL.

Tho Municipal Hall, was well filled last nifht, when addresses wero delivered by local clergymen in connection with the Bible Tercontonary celebrations. Tho chair was occupied by the Mayor. Apologies were received from the Rev. G. • J, Spence and t Cr, Haydon, The proceedings were commenced by sinking "All People thflt on Earth do Dwell," and then Pastor C. Christensen engaged in prayer, after which the Mayor briefly referred to tho object of the' gathering. He said it gave him much pleasure to preside at this meeting. As they had been made aware by announcements in the press, the gathering was being held in celebration of the Tercentenary of tho Authorised Version of the English Bible, the period covered, 300 years, has witnessed many remarkable and wonderful achievements l>y civilised people, but in no direction has a greater, a more desirable work been accomplished than in bringing the Bible within the reach of those who, unt.er ordinary circumstances, would bo unable to possess a copy. That such an achievement had been the means of aiding ,the progress and development of civilised countries would be admitted by all. Every intelligent man and woman knew the .vast influence of Bible teaching, especially upon the Anglo-Saxon race, which had always evinced a profound respect and veneration for tho sacred writings. If one was only prepared to study the Bible as a literary production, little 'doubt would remain in one's mind as to its value. But we had tho move important fact that it led our thoughts upward and. onward, bringing to us trie loftiest ideals, and assisting us to promote and foster all thoso ideals that make ' . for higher citizenship. He did not, he said, intend to speak at any length, as there were others present who would address them, who were specially gifted to deal with a subject of this nature, but he could not conclude without brief reference to the work of the Bible Society, which took its rise in England in 1730. It was intended solely for the benefit of soldiers and sailors, the movement being suggested by the idea of their frequent exposure to danger. Within the first two years this Society distributed over 11,000 Bibles among different regiments and ships' crcws._ The greatest of all the Associations is the British and Foreign Bible Society, which was founded in 1801 During the first ten years of its existence 18 different .societies were formed, mostly in imitation of it, and foreign countries have received from it during that period 29,000 Bibles and 127 New Testaments. As time has gone by the number of copies distributed annually has increased enormously, until last year seven million copies in 432 languages were issued. Thoso figures would give some idea of _ the great work carried on by this Society, and at a time like this it was no hardship for us to devote a few hours in recognition of the very great good and thu many blessings conferred upon mankind by the possession of the holy work. Adjutant Haywood then read portions of the- Scripture. REV. A. DOULL. M.A. The Rev, A. Doull was the first speaker. His subject was, "The Moral and Spiritual Value of the Bible." Ho dwelt upon tho great importance to tho whole world of tho first English translation of the Bible three hundred years ago, quoting the historian Green, who declared that "tho effect was amazing, and tho whole nature of the nation being changed," Tho moral and religious value io the English nation had been of incalculable good, whilst it was equally so with the Continental nations. The Bible was God's message to his people, and Holy' Writ told of the great sacrifices made for His people, even the sacrifice of His Holy Son for our delherance from sin. Sin was removed from us, and wc were endowed with a new spirit. The Scriptures had this power in our individual life. It was not confined to the rich; the poor also realised that tho Gates of Life were thrown open to them. The teachings of the Bible, ho said, had strengthened and supported John Bunyan during his mental struggles, and his work was the outcome, of the Bible. God had no message to the believing soul which the Bibie did not. set forth. Tho effect of the Bible upon morals had been twofold. . The law required just and honest dealing, and the Bible had steadfastly set its faco against that religion which ivas not based upon purity and integrity. . It was tho Bible, that had made progress possible with sin-enslaved men by bringing them within the influence of its teachings; men also who had never felt its influence and never opened its pages were protected and looked after by the effect of laws founded upon the fundamental teachings of tho Bible. All these advantages of the Christian life had not followed by regarding the Bible as a fetish, but by observing its teachings, and by following them, men were led to a higher and a bettor life, and to higher and purer principles. The speaker expressed the opinion that we were still at tho beginning of the advantages and truths following upon a knowledge of the Bible, and concluded his remarks amid applause. REV. D. lIIRD, M.A. Rev. D. Ilird dealt with the influence the Bible had had on the literature of 1 the world. He pointed out that the Bible's moral and spiritual effect was its most important mission, 'but this was followed by its literary influence. Its influence on the literature of the world had been great, because the Bible was great, People get into the way of imagining that all Bibles were uniform in their wording, -but no greater mistake could be made. There was a uniformity through, all tho chapters of the Bible, and they all, taught the same message, but the Bible contained all the classes of literature in the English « language. Its history takes us further ' back than any other literary t production, and its poetry reaches to higher heights and descends to lower depths than any other poetry. The Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Job were touched upon as examples of literary thought, and the last-named was described as one of tho masterpieces of dramatic writing. Tho New Testament contained the greatest Epistles of Christianity. In it there was something that could riot help, but impress the Englishspeaking peoples. Its phrases and names of its characters have become household words. This showed the influence it had on the people. When you come to the greater examplo of English literature tho influence of the Bible couid ,be seen in a remarkable degree during the past 300 years. The works of Milton, Shakespeare, John Bunyan, John Bright, Thomas Carlyle, and Jolm Rttskin were dealt with at length, and the influence'' tho Bible had had on these writers' works was very graphically explained, No man could claim to be properly educated without a knowledge of the Bible. It seemed pathetic that editors should have to put footnotes to speeches explaining tho Biblical terms used, as it showed that the people wore not conversant with their Bibles. In refusing to allow their children io become acquainted with this great examplo of English literature, parents were not doing their duty. The whole influence of the Bible on our literature formed one of our grandest heritages, and ho hoped that one of tho results of the Tercentenary would be that all would read and prize their Bibles moro than over before. THE REV. T. T. THOMAS. B.A. The Rev. T. T. Thomas spoke on the Bible in national life. He said that the greatness and (he permanence of tho race did not depend upon tlia number of its battalions, the tonnage of its warships, or its commercial extent and vitality, wealth of land or stability of ' Government, but upon the character of its people and their belief in tho Bible. He referred to the different beliefs held the world over, but said it was realised that each of these had failed to build up permanence in a race; they had all

failed, and been eclipsed in tlio dazzling light of the Bible. The AngloSaxon race must recognise that at'the foundation of its glory was the Sacred Book; nothing could compare with it in building up national character. Hepointed out how the Bible had influenced the history of our nation, whether it was in the realms of State, Church, or politics. In politics we had seen evidences of its power, and he mentioned several of the well-known names of a few hundred years ago— Cromwell, Orarmicr, Wilberforce. Again, it w.13 tho Boole that was at the back of the abolition of tho slavo trade by Britain. There were, perhaps, pages in the history of the Church that might bring the blush of shame, but were there not other achievements that thrilled the blood and glorified our souls within us? He spoke of tho martyrs of old and ' their sufferings borne with fortitude by God's help, Ridley, Latimer, and others, who were sacrificed at the 6tako for their belief. Some of the greatest scientists of our race had been impelled to great sacrifices because of the lessons learnt in the Word of God before they were old enough to look into tho mysteries of nature. Referenco was made to the recent declaration of King Georgo V. regarding tho work and achievements of the Bible, and, proceeding, tho speaker also spoke upon tho possibilities of arbitration rather than war, another illustration of tho teachings of the Bible, that the sword should be turned into _ a ploughshare. He concluded by stating 1 that while our national life was nurtured on the teachings of the Bible tho race would never cease to possess those principles of honour, truth, and purity that constituted the proud crown of national greatness. REV. 11. G. ROSIIER, M.A. Rev. 11. G. Rosher pointed out that all denominations met in tho Bible. The Bible and the world were in a 6ense very small, and they reminded us all of Jesus Christ and his good work, but in other respects they were very large. The Gospel was universal in its nature and mission, but we often unconsciously tried to make it, instead of being as it is intended, very .partial. When Christ told us that the Gospel was for all mankind, He told ,us what it was and what it did. The Apostles tried to keep it to themselves, but found that they could not. and must give it out to the world. Any Church which failed to bo a missionary church was a dying church, and it was only when sho was working for tta spread of the Gospel that sho was living. There ought to bo a glorious ■ mission in view for everyone, for every missionary churchman, when it was remembered that tho national characteristics of tho Chinese, Japanese, and other ' races could bo adapted to Christ's Gospc 1. ; A great deal of the Tercentenary message would bo lost if the opportunity was not taken to mako fresh resolutions to road the Bible more diligently. He appealed to those present to try and mako it an occasion for the quickening of tho great missionary movement. Rev. D. Ilird, as president of the Ministers' Association, welcomed Rev. Mr Rosher to Palinerston. Adjutant Haywood pronounced the Benediction, and votes of thanks were accorded the speakers and chairman. The meeting closed with the singing of the • National Anthem.