THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 143, 23 July 1914, Page 3

THE BIBLE SOCIETY.

GREAT PROGRESS EFFECTED.

The Rev. F. M. Spencer, the New Zealand agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, gave au address last night on the work of the society. In describing the progress of the distribution of the Bible, the speaker said that at the present time the Premier of Japan was taking a leading part iu propagating the truths of the Bible, and of nearly one and a-quarter millions of Bibles distributed throughout Japan last year the British and Foreign Bible Society had sent out no fewer than 633,000 copies, the American Bible Society having sent out the remainder. As indicating the attitude of the Japanese towards the Bible, the speaker mentioned that Count Okoma and other nobles had invited the British and Foreign Bible Society to hold its next convention in Japan. The sales of the society had increased from 200,000 copies to 2,182,000 copies in 15 years, and one-third of the total number printed was for the * Chinese, and the Bible was also well distributed in India. The circulation ih Persia was now 24,000, and 7500 had been sold in Turkish Arabia. Eleven years ago the sale in Egypt amounted to 39,000 copies, but last year the number sold was 104,800 copies. In contusion the speaker appealed to all for help iu furthering the work of the society.