British and Foreign Bible Society.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4990, 25 April 1889, Page 4

British and Foreign Bible Society.

The annual meeting of the Timaru branch of the above society was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street, on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance, the hall being filled. The president of the local branch, Mr J. Ballantyne, occupied the chair. The meeting commenced by singing the hymn “All hail the power of Jesus’ name,’’ after which prayer was offered by by the Rev. B. Austin. Mr R. L. Toshack then sang “ Gates of the West.” The president in a few well-chosen words expressed his pleasure at presiding over so large a meeting, and called upon the secretary, Mr R. Boater, to read the annual report. The report expressed the pleasure of the committee that the revived interest awakened by the visits and addresses of the Rev, H. T. Robjohns in 1887 and 1888 had shown itself in the practical form of the larger amount which they were on this occasion enabled to send 13 ome as a contribution to the parent society. No doubt the present visit of that gentleman would have a similar effect in increasing the interest in the good work, and upon next year’s contribution. With a view to furthering this the committee would submit a resolution to constitute this branch an auxiliary for South Canterbury, having its centre in Timaru. The free contributions for the year amounted to £37 3s, and the sales at the depot to £7 16s 3d. On his last visit Mr Robjohns drew attention to the movement in Victoria to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee by givi-g a copy of the New Testament to every scholar in the State schools, and the committee,after consideration, resolved to obtain 4500 copies for distribution through the schools of South Canterbury, undertaking to meet the expense by special subscriptions. The committee had to acknowledge the kindness of the Board of Education and the various school committees in aiding the distribution, and they trusted that these Jubilee Testaments would in many of the homes into which they have come prove a seed of blessing. The committee were specially indebted to the chairman’s liberality in connection with .this movement. The Testaments cost £43 16s, towards which £2O 9s fid had been subscribed, leaving a balance of £23 6s 6d, in the reduction of which the committee would be glad of any help. The report concluded with expressions of welcome to Mr Robjohns, of the pleasure and profit with which his Sabbath addresses had been listened to, and of a hope that he may long be spared to carry forward the important work upon which he is engaged. The treasurer’s statement having been read, the Rev. W. B. Marten moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. This was seconded by the Rev. H. T. Robjohns, who then addressed the meeting. Commencing with a rapid sketch of the Bible from the year 1000 A U., the rev, gentleman touched upon the translation of the Bible by Wycliffe, and the printing of the New Testament by Tyndale, coming down to the beginning of the present 'century, when there were not more than five million copies of the Holy Scriptures in the world, and contrasting that number with the estimated number at present, viz., 250,000,000. Mr Robjohns then proceeded to give an interesting account of last year’s work, touching upon the completion of the Japanese Bible, the publication of Lasserre’s four Gospela.and subsequently their interdict, and finally the publication by an Italian newspaper proprietor of the scriptures in half-penny numbers. The address, which lasted about an hour, was listened to with great attention, and the speaker was frequently applauded. At its conclusion a collection in aid of the society’s funds was taken, amounting to £3 lls.

The Rev, W. Gillies then moved —“ That in order to a more efficient co-operation with the British and Foreign Bible Society, this meeting resolves to, and does hereby, constitute the Timaru branch into the South Canterbury Auxiliary, of which Timaru will be the centre.” Seconded by the Rev. W. Woollass, and carried by acclamation. The Rev. E. Austin next moved, and the Rev. W. B. Marten seconded —“ That the following officers and committee be elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr John Bnllantyne (re-elected); treasurer, Mr A. Crawford; secretary, Mr R. Foster (reelected); committee, the ministers of the churches, with Messrs J. Jackson, W. J, Tcnnent, T. Wagstaff, W. H. Will way, J. Hilton, and D. McKay, with power to add to their number.”—Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the ladies who had so ably canvassed for subscriptions, and to the friend who had contributed the music during the evening, was moved by the Rev. C, C. Brown and carried.

Mr Willway proposed .a hearty vote of thanks to the Rev. H. T. Robjohns for his able and stirring address. Seconded by Mr B. Foster, and carried by acclamation. The meeting, which was the most successful yet hold in connection with the Bible Society, was concluded by the Rev. W. Gillies pronouncing the Benediction.