BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3495, 3 November 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

FEILDING BRANCH ANN CAR MEETING. The Feilding branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society held its annual meeting on Monday evening in St. Paul's Hall, Mr. C. E. Taylor presiding. There was a good attendance of supporters, and representatives of all churches, including the Revs. C. D. Gardener, A. Mitchell, T. Miller, David Calder (General Secretary for New Zealand), Captain Parkinson, and Mrs. F. Porter (Wellington Provincial Organising Secretary). The proceedings were opened with the singing of the hymn "All People That On Earth Do Dwell.” Solos were rendered by the Rev. A. Mitchell, the accompaniments being played by Mrs. Mitchell. Mr. A. J. Kellow,- (secretary) reviewed the work of tho past year as follows;—

The annual meeting for 1925 was hold before the collection of subscriptions for that year and from that date the work of the branch had been in the capable hands of the ladies’ auxiliary. The total collected for 1925 was £sl Cs Sd, the highest on record up to that time, while last year just over £53 was received. The objective of the branch, £IOO, had still to be attained.

On behalf of the ladies’ auxiliary, Mrs.'Kollow (president) reported on the annual canvass with the satisfactory result mentioned. Heartfelt appreciation to the collectors was extended for their self-sacrificing and splendid work which had been carried out unmurmuringly, cheerfully, and thoroughly. It had been a strenuous canvass as money had not been plentiful. Special thanks was extended to Mrs. J’orter for her most willing assistance during the year. Her presence had always been a spiu 1.0 their efforts and her thoughtful words had always been an Inspiration. Mrs. Porter had addressed the members ol the auxiliary in September last at an afternoon kindly arranged by Mrs. Barltrop (vice-president), and at this gathering all arrangements had been finalised for the effort. The auxiliary greatly appreciated the kind thought of Mrs. T. Millar in inviting Mrs. Ijbrter to address the P.N.M.U. on the work of the Society.

The chairman congratulated the Ladies’ Auxiliary on their excellent work.

The election of officers resulted; President, Air. C. E. Taylor; vicepresidents, the ministers of local Christian churches and the Salvation Army, ex-officio; secretary and treasurer. Mr. A. J. Kellow; committej (with the confirmation of three nominalions), Alcsdames Kellow and J. E. Barltrop and Miss Entwisle. Mr. Taylor, in returning thanks for his election to (he presidency, referred in lhe great work being done hy the Society liirougliout the world to-day. Kev. I)avid (’alder gave a most inspiring and devotional address, and in his remarks, expressed groat pleasure a ( having the opportunity of meeting so ma ny subscribers in Foil ding. The local Auxiliary, one of (ho 10,000 anxiliptries throughout the world, had not been behind in its work for the Society. During the past ten years, the Society had issued a Scripture in a new language over every six weeks, a now version of the whole Testament once every six months, and a new version of

the whole Bible every year. The increase in the demand for Scriptures during those last ton years was something like 610 per cent, and the Society’s sale of English Scriptures had gone up by one million in six years. Mr. \V. J. Smith, of Coiyton, expressed tho appreciation of the meeting to Rev. Calder for tho inspiration given by him. The motion was carried by acclamation.

Votes of thanks to Mrs. Porter, the Feilding Radios’ Auxiliary, and the singing of the Doxology, brought a successful meeting to a close.