OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 50

OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

ANNUAT, MEETING. The fifty-seventh annual meeting of the Otago Bible Society was held in First Church Hall cn the 16th, Mr Peter Barr presiding. 'ihe Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the Rev. Air Barton on his appointment as Foreign Missions Secretary of the Presbyterian Church, and expressed pleasure that the new appointment would not interfere with his continuing in the position of secretary to the Otago Bible Society. He thought Mr roarton was to be envied in occupying positions connected with two great groups of work carried out in the world. Tie expressed regret at the illness of the Kev. R R. AI. Sutherland, which had prevented him assisting the society during the absence of the Rev. Mr Barton from New Zealand. Referring to the report, Air Barr said that the income of the society had been reduced by about £IOO arid that consequently the remissions to the British and Foreign Society and National Bible Society had been reduced, the remissions being equal to about £4OO to each society. Air Barr commented on the magnitude of the figures connected with the British and foreign Bible Society, which at the beginning of the year had a deficiency of £116,000, but this, owing to reductions in expenditure and increase in revenue, had been wiped out and had left a substantial amount in hand. The reduction had been '■■■'o and the increase in revenue £118,700 Notwithstanding the strenuous position the society had been able %o carry on its work and substantially supplement the issue of Scriptures, and it was pleasing to learn that 12 new versions were included in the last list, which was a record for the two societies. ln regard to the Bible Society of Scotland, it had increased its circulation of the Scriptures by nearly 20.000. and the total issue of the Scriptures by the three great societies, including the American Bible Society, vvas now no le3s than 15,600.000. The Otago Bible Society now issued its fifty-seventh report, and the British and Foreign Society its one hundred and eighteenth report. Jbe Rev H. E. Bellhouse, in seconding the motion, said that the fact that it was the fifty-seventh annual meeting augured well for the future success of the society. He emphasised the absolute necessity for teaching the Bible in the world, and mentioned that at a conference there had been only one dissentient to adopting the platfonn of t.he Bible in schools. That was the first time an annual conference representing the Churches had absolutely agreed upon a common platform. It had been resolved at the conference to approach the Government, asking that provision should be made for the teaching of simple Bible lessons, prayer, and singing of a hymn. The conference had waited upon Mr Massey and had received a very sympathetic hearing. It was suggested that pressure should be brought to bear on the society in Wellington to ventilate the matters brought before Mr Massey. Mr Bellhouse went on to emphasise how imperative it was to promote the work of the society. The motion was carried. Air E. Rosevear moved, and it vvas seconded and agreed, to—“ That the constitution of the society be amended by increasing the number of members of the board from nine to 12. so that article 5. clause 1, shall read as follows:—‘The business of Ihe society shall be conducted by a board of 12 members, whereof not fewer than seven shall be ministers of the Gospel. ’ ” Tlie Rev. Air Rallaston moved, and' it was agreed to—“'that the retiring members of the board —namely, Rev. Professor Hewitson, Messrs P. Barr and Jas. rarquharson, be re-elected for a term of three years; that the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse be elected for the unexpired portion of net. M. A. Rugby Pratt's term—i.e., for the next two years; and that Messrs R. S. Oree Brown and J. Inglis Wright and Rev. 11. 11. Barton be elected as members of the board, one of the last three members retiring at the end of one year, one • »t the end of two years, and tfie other at the end of the third year, the member to retire being selected by ballot.” The Kev. 11. Davies, of the Canton Villages Mission, moved, and it was carried "that this annual meeting of the Otago Bible Society express heartfelt thanks to '’- ichty God for His continued goodness to the great parent societies- the British and Foreign Bible Society and the National Bible Society of Scotland; rejoice in the continued success that attends their vitally important task of seeking to give to every man in Iris own tongue that Holy Scripture which is able to make men wise.” In speaking to the motion he referred to the work done in China for many years and said that the Bible was not received in the same way as it was received years ago. To day people were asking the why and the wherefore of everything. The Rev. A. AI. Finlayson moved —“That the heartiest thanks of this annual meeting of the Qtago Bible Society be accorded to the officers of the society, to the secretaries and treasurers of branches, and particularly to the collectors, without whose voluntary and consecrated efforts the work of the society would be impossible.”— Carried A vote of (hanks proposed by Air D. Wright as follows was carried unanimously : To the ladies of the North-East Valley branch for kindly providing the refreshments, and to the Deacons’ Court of First Church for the use of the hall.