THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13613, 5 December 1907, Page 4

THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Auckland branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society holds it's annual meeting to-day. It is no exaggeration to say that greater organisation than the Bible Society exists in the world. Its immense work is so quietly conducted that oven its supporters do .not usually realise all that it is, although they know vaguely that it maintains the wonderful stream of printing and circulation by which the Bible is translated into every tongue and thrust into the hand of every man who will read it. There are over 400 translations on the list of this wonderful organisation, and every year over six million copies of the Scriptures are spread broadcast over the worlds at . prices that • average only

two-fifths of their, cost, < and are adjusted to meet the wages standard of the poorest labourers in every country. No matter how complex or uncouth a man's speech ; no matter how strange his character or script; no matter how far off or dimcult of access his dwelling-place; no matter how great his natural poverty —the Bible Society places the Bible in his hands. -The Esquimaux read it in Greenland, the Zulus in South Africa, the Tartars in Central Asia, every man in his own tongue and in his own speech. It is impossible to estimate the immensity of the unpaid labour this represents,or the immensity of its influence. But we can estimate the cost in pounds, shillings and pence of the society's expenditure, and it is officially stated that funds are running short. An increased revenue of £8000 is necessary next year if there is not to be, another deficit, and an increase of £03,000 is required if the committee of the society are to embrace all opportunities. The mere statement of this heed should be enough to bring abundant and . sufficient response from the many thousands who should be interested in of the Bible Society. ;'.;,': '" ■";,