BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 89

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Rev. A. Taylor. M.A., senior secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, at present travelling in Australia and New Zealand, met the members of the board of the Ota go Bible Society in conference on the 22nd inst., and afterwards a public meeting of welcome was held in Stuart Hall, Frederick street. There was an attendance of clergy workers, which was presided oyer by Mr W. Brown, president of she Otago Bible Society. The other' members of the board present were the Rev. D. Borrie (secretary), Mr E. Rosevear (hon. treasurer). Revs. P. W. Fairolough, R. E. Dayies, W. Hay, and Mr P. Barr and the Rev. F. H. Spencer, agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society. Mr W. Brown introduced the Rev. A. Taylor as the senior secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who was, if not known to them personally, well known to those who were engaged in Bible work. The Rev. A. Taylor said that the British Society had thought that, as they had so nr any warm supporters in Australasia and India, it was well that he, as representing the society, should visit them and make himself better acquainted- with the bodies with whom he had been in correspondence in various parts of the world, and become familiar with the conditions under which they worked. In a graphic way Mr Taylor pointed out the various problems that faced those societies that were engaged in spreading the Gospel amongst the Eastern nations. China and Korea were now open to them, and in connection with the former Sir Robert Hart, whose recent death they deplored, had written to the Bible Society regretting that he could not attend their annual meetings, forwarding handsome donations to assist the labours of the society. and expressing his belief that the future of China largely depended upon lie dissemination of the Word of God in the Chinese language. The door that was now open to the Bible in China was also the door out of which the Chinese would come to take their part in forming the_ world’s history in the future. What better thing could they do than to sow broadcast the Word of God amongst the peaceful, honest, industrious races like the Chinese arid Japanese? Another great problem they had to face was that of the spread of the doctrines of Islam in Central Africa, India, and Asia. The Bible Society, through its colporteurs, had got a footing in Afghanistan, Tibet, and Nepaul, and even in Lassa, that had for so long been a dosed city to; Europeans. Those were some of the demands made upon the Church of God. They were problems that the whole Church had. to solve, for none of them oould afford to be narrow in their views when sueh important issues ■were involved. He was sometimes disposed to ask where was the missionary spirit that used to prevail i Unless they had a .quickening of their. own spiritual life,_ unless they put aside the many distractions by which they were surrounded, and" exhibited a spirit of self-sacrifice, they oould not hope to compass the great work of spreading the knowledge of God’s Word that lay before them. Unless the Bible filled the first place in their lives how could they plead with men, women, and children to listen to appeals for sending the Voice of God into the dark lands that were open to the spread of the Gospel? The Rev. F. H. Spencer regretted that so many churches that used to, contribute from £2O to £3O per year towards the British and Foreign Bible Society had become less liberal. He urged that as increasing opportunities were being given for the evangelisation of the world their support of the Bible Society be increased in proportion. The Rev. A. Don pointed out that if the missionaries the Presbyterian Church had sent to Canton were not supplied withß'bks they would be handicapped indeed, for they were engaged in a difficult work eyen at present, with the aid of that society. Ho showed how greatly the colporteurs of the society assisted the establishment of new churches in connection with the Canton mission. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon referred to the success of missionary efforts in Japan, and particularly in Korea, as showing the need for increased support being given to the Bible Society. The Rev. D. Borrie expressed' has thankfulness that he had been almost forced into taking the position of secretary to the Otago Bible -Society, for by that connection he bad the more appreciated the great work it was doing. The British and Foreign Bible Society had done noble and priceless work for the regeneration of the world, and on that ground should receive in creased support from the churches. He moved —“ That this meeting welcomes most heartily the Rev. A. Tav'or, _ senior score: tary of the British and Forcig i Bible Society, thanks him for hi* interesting and able address, and tenders him the greetings of the Otago Bible Society, and sends words of encouragement to the parent society and prays that it may long continue to carry or its great work.” The motion woe carried with applause.