BRITISH AND FOREING BIBLE SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15203, 16 October 1919, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREING BIBLE SOCIETY.

GATHERING AI METHODIST x HALL. At the invitation of the Rev. F. H. Spencer, agent tor tho British ami Foreign Bible Society, a large rmrnbe;; vi gutbi-s, ineiuuing mauy kidies, were cuter tamed at luncheon in the Methocsst Hall yesteiday. Bishop Sadlier presided. After lunch had been partaken of, The Key. Mr Spencer delivered a short address on tne vvoiii of the society. He expressed pleasure that such a numoer liad responded to tho invitation, and trusted -tnat it would lead to Ci>'icerted action in tne circulation of the Holy Word. The need of keeping the liioie before oho Christian public was greater than ever, and by the diligent sowing of the seed he behoved they would reap a crop far exceeding their upmost anticipation. He felt they must put into this work the biiine, v not greater, energy than they did in tho war, to bring victory for Jenis Ckriafc. Mr. Spencer then referred to the organisation of tho society, and said the world was open u.s never before for the spread of tho Gospel. In China, 21 years ago, tne circulation, of the Bible was about 250,000 copies. To-day it was between six and seven million copies, while m May last from Shanghai alono 565,70u copies were sent out by the society. In Abvssiniu, the first copy of the Bible was given to a Mahommedan, but now no less than 10,000 had been distributed to those who were abjuring Mahommedanism for Christianity. In the Nile districts also there weru 350,000 converts, while in Turkey there ■was a greater demand for the Scrip*tures than ever before. During the war period the work was carried on, and had never stopped. Mr. Spencer spoke of the necessity of centralising the work in New Zealand in Wellington, where a site and building had been secured for £12,000. One-third of tho cost was being paid by the society at Home, leaving £8000 to be raised* in New Zealand. Centralisation it was believed, would lead to economy and efficiency, and they were asking the people of Nelson district to raise £-500 as their proportion of the cost. Mr. Spencer also •mentioned that it was proposed to erect a Bible House in Jerusalem. Australia was contributing £5000 to the cost, and he hoped New Zealand would not be behind. . ' . Bishop Sadlier said that in looking through some old correspondence that had passed between the late B*snop Suter and persons living m the diocese, he found that many years ago attacks were made on the iWord of God. The focus of criticism since then appeared to have moved from the Bible to Christians. The antagonism to the Word of God had happily passed away. The change of focus behoved activity on the part of the church. Tho Bible was the most wonderful book in history, and still endured, notwithstaiicV ing the efforts made to abolish it. iho society, in spreading the Gospel, was faced 'with grave difficulties. The cost of printing the Testaments had increased enormously, and there was urgent necessity for better organisation m order to meet the financial demands on the society. In regard to the centralisation scheme, and Nelson's contribution towards it, he trusted that the appeal would be responded to, and the total asked for reached. It was only by. sustained effort that they could " keep up the average income. The Mayor (Mr. W. W. Snodgress), who was present by invitation, was also asked to speak. He said a knowledge of the Bible was essential to good citizenship, and if people had a bettor knowledge of the Bible they would make better citizens. No false interpretation,- he said, could be put on the passages in the Bftle, and if their own laws and by-laws were as clearly set out as the Ten Commandments there would be fewer mistakes. (Laughter.) He concluded by expressing his pleasure at being present . At the invitation of Sir- Spencer, representatives from the various churches were invited to form a con> mittee for the purpose of promoting the interests of the society in Nelson, and the proceedings closed with the singing of the Doxology.