BIBLE SOCIETY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 2 November 1933, Page 5

BIBLE SOCIETY

GISBORNE AUXILIARY ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Gisborne auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held on Tuesday niglit in the Methodist Church. There was a full representative gathering. The Rev. 11. Daniel was in the. chair ami expressed Ins pleasure and appreciation of the presence of so many young people. The meeting opened with a hymn. Prayer was offered by the Rev. L. C. M. Donaldson, Baptist minister. A portion of Scripture was read by Captain Dick, of the Salvation Army. Apologies were received from the Revs. .1. Aitken and J. 11. Boyd, Mr F. .J. Marshall, Mrs A. D. Davys and Miss E. Davis. A letter was read from Mr C. Rosie, tendering his resignation as president of the Gisborne auxiliary. The resignation was accepted with regret and the secretary, Mr R. Maddock, was asked ro convey by letter the deep appreciation expressed by many for the fine service rendered to the society by Mr C. Rosie. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr O. K. Pasley; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. E. Toueycliffe and F. Forge; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Maddock; committee, the Revs. ,T. Aitken and J. H. Boyd, Canon A. F. Hall, Revs. F. I. Parsons, L. 0. M. Donaldson, and H, Daniel, Mr M. J. Marshall, Captain Dick, Messrs. W. McC’liskie and H. G. Wellbourne, Mcsdames A. D. Davys, I. Quigley, M. Anderson, T. Smollio, E. G. A. Reynolds, C. D. Stewart, Garrett and Miss E. Davis. INSPIRING ADDRESS. The Rev. H. Daniel, in an inspiring address, said:— “To most people the romance of great movements makes an irresistible appeal, whether they be moral, social or religious. In the latter sphere there is probably more romance connected with the British and Foreign Bible Society than with any other since the days of Jesus Christ and Iris Apostles. “ The secret of personal success has been described as ‘one who sees a chance and tnkes it.’ In the Great War Yori Kluck lost at the gates of Paris by failing to take his chance. A heathen philisopher once said ‘opportunity has hair in front, but is bnJd behind.’ The inference is obvious. The British and Foreign Bible S.ociety, by vision and determination, has, the world over, seized every opening, rattled loose tightly barred doors, and entered into possession, I like its name, British first. We claim to have a genius for expansion. Wc boast of our Viking Wood, of the call of the sea. Without being derogatory, wc are different from tho French and the Germans.

“We have c.olonised Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, and other overseas Dominions, and carried everywhere the seeds of Empire. The Church has followed with the Gospel, and the British and Foreign Bible Society has been her handmaiden. The bones of our finest men, administrators, soldiers, traders, and last, but foremost of all, ,our missionaries, whiten every shore. In all this the share of the British and Foreign Bible Society is largo indeed. “Recently Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flew from England to Australia in seven days. What an unparalleled opportunity this gives for advance in world evangelisation. China's population is 400,000,000. Morrison of the L.M.S. landed there in 1807. Thirteen years later the British and Foreign Bible Society had printed his translation of the Bible into Chinese, 21 volumes, at a cost of 810,000. To-day China is literally honeycombed by the "colporteurs of that society distributing Scripture. To-day Korea is an open country, with the society’s agents busy in every province. India possesses 300,000,000 people, our follow countrymen. AmoDg them the Book is being widely circulated. When my own church, tlio Methodist, entered Hyderabad in, 1888, the work was successful beyond their most sanguine expectations and has continued so. Probably tho colporteur work of the British and Foreign Bible Society for many years previously is the real reason. When Kitchener opened up the Soudan and the Mahdi had fallen, the Soudanese wanted the religion of their conquerors. Wo have given it pitifully sparingly. “What part in all this are you pro pared to play. Your gifts, your prayers, and your service are all wanted. Since this society started in a London office 130 years ago, it has distributed 430,000,000 copies of the Bible in about 650 languages and dialects, and there are possibly 200 more translations yet to be made. The society believes the Bible to be the word of God, the greatest of all human treasures, and God’s greatest gift to the peoples of the world. Last year tho society received £228,000. From the sale of Scriptures it received £142,000, and it showed a deficit on the preceding year of £35,000. Large gifts aro rare. It is the small sums that count most. Let us do our best in our local auxiliary to help this wonderful work, encourage tho local collectors, and gladden tho hearts of those who bear tho burden and heat of the day.” A duet was beautifully rendered by Captain and Mrs Dick, COMFORT FOR THOSE IN NEED The Rev. r. 1. Parsons, in his address, said that it was a great pleasure to be present to speak of the Book that they all loved so dearly. He pointed out the danger of one growing so familiar with it that its deep significance and beauty wore apt to be lost. Ho emphasised the need for prayerful reading of its pages and in two very touching stories showed how the Bible never failed to comfort and bless those who in their deep need read its message of hope. Miss Fawcett mentioned that the collectors were beginning their work and asked for a sympathetic response for them. She expressed regret that the Rev. Mr. Had field, Maori Minister "t Manutuke, had at the last minute been unable to be present and sing. Miss Fawcett reminded all present of the fact that in the very early days the Maori people had shown their gratitude of the gift of the Maori Now Testament (which was translated mainly by the Rov. W. Williams, afterwards Bishop Williams, and was first printed by the C.M.S. in 1837, the Bible Society contributing largely to tho cost), by generous offerings of maize and potatoes which realised a considerable sum and those formed tho first donations from New Zealand to the Riblo Society. The meeting closed with a hymn and the Benediction.