THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12269, 13 May 1903, Page 3

THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

WELCOME TO THE DELEGATES.

Last evening a meeting of collectors and supporters of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Allwrt-street, to enable the Revs. Dr. F. \V. Mac Donald and H. A. Raynes, M.A., the recently-arrived British delegates, to be introduced to those locally interested in the work of this world-wide society. The welcome was of a semi-private character, Mr. C. E. Button, president of the Y.M.C.A., presiding over a gathering of close on 100 persons, including a number of ladies. Amoig those; present were the Revs. W. E. Gillain, Thomas, Gittos, Garland, Clark, North, Laycock, Griffin, Campbell, Pinfold' and Day. The apologies for unavoidable absence included one from Archdeacon Calder, president of the local branch of the society. The Chairman first extended a few words, of welcome to the delegates, expressing the hope that their stay in the colony would be a pleasant one and one attended with beneficial results to the great work with which they were associated. The Rev. W. E. Gillam followed with a brief and well-chosen address of welcome on behalf of the community. In the course oi his remarks he said the visitors would find wherever they went in tho colony that the Protestant bodies were being drawn together more closely, a drawing together for which he considered the great question of Biblereading in schools was largely responsible. There was absolute unanimity of thought as to what tho people wanted their children to bo taught in the direction of then spiritual welfare. Concluding, he expressed the hope that tho visit of the delegates would result in much" good. Dr. Mac Donald, who was received with great heartiness, delivered a most interesting address on the object of their visit to the colony and the work of the Bible Society. He said that himself and his confrere had been sent out to do their utmost to strengthen the loyalty, love, aspiration and endeavour to the great cause of the uifl'usion of the Word of God throughout the who'e world. Although the society, now on the eve of its hundredth birthday, had mot w.lh its failures and rebuffs during that loi!g period the people would nc doubt give it credit for an earnest and continuous desire throughout to have the Biblo printed, distributed and made known in every language on the face of the globe, thus spreading far and wide the Word of God. The Rev. H. A. Raynes also addressed the meeting, confining himself mainly to tho internal working and operations of the society. Both gentlemen returned thanks for their cordial welcome, and said that it would strengthen them in the work they were undertaking. The meeting was preceded by a tea, to which between 60 and 70 so* down. To-night a public meeting, under the auspices of the Auckland auxiliary of the society, will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, commencing at. a-quarter to eight p.m. The Rev Canor Mao Murray will -preside, and tho' delegates will deliver addresses on tne work of the society, in aid of which a collection will be taken up. All friends pre cordially invited to attend.