BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1768, 31 May 1895, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

♦ The South Canterbury Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society held its annual meeting on Wednesday evening m the Congregational Church. There was a good attendance. The Rev. C. C. Brown, vice-president, occupied the chair. After devotional exercises, conducted by the Rev. C. E. Beecroft, the chairman gave an interesting address on the Bible as the inspired word of God. The annual report and balance-sheet were then read by the Rev. Mr Gillies, secretary and treasurer. The report was as follows: — " Your committee regrets that at this annual meeting of the auxiliary we are not favoured with {.h.e presence of a representative agent of the parent society. This arises from changes, which are m process of taking place, m the manner m which the connection between the Howe society and the colonial

auxiliaries is to be kept up. The Rev. R. B. Deurlf, from London, visited this colony m the beginnine of the year m relation to this matter, and had arranged to hold a meeting m Timaru ; but, unfortunately, m consequence of an accident m Christchurch, he was not able to carry out the arrangement. He has now returned to London, but as yet nothing has been determined on by the Home authorities. Your committee are glad to report that the branch at Geraldine has been specially active and energetic during the past year, and has sent m the sum of £22 8s to the free contribution fund. From Waimate nothing lias been received for this fund since last report ; but we are glad to acknowledge £9 16s 9d as received from Teinuka. Since balance-sheet was audited and report drawn up £8 19s has been received from Waimate for free contributions. The great depression prevailing m Timaru has lessened the amount collected m town for the past year; our amount being £29 3s 6d. The total from the district of South Canterbury for the year is £61 8s 3d, which with balance of £8 13s 6d from last year, makes a total remitted Home of £70 4s 9d. To the collectors special thanks are due. Those for Timaru were Mrs Armstrong, Mrs Macrae, and the Misses Ballantyne. The sale of bibles for the year amounted to £33 2s lid, to be increased by £1 Us since received from Waimate. The balance-sheet gives all details. Your committee very strongly commends the objects of this great society to the sympathy and support of the members of all the churches, as it has been a right royal handmaid of all m the carrying on and extension of the Redeemer's kingdom." In connection with the report Mr Gilliew specially referred to the activity of the Geraldine branch, and expressed sympathy with them m their loss of the late Dr Fish, Avho had taken a deep interest m the society. He regretted that the report from Waimate had not arrived m time to be included, but was glad to be able to state that the branch there was m a healthy staie. The Rev. R. B. Deurlf's report on his mission to the colonies arrived the day before, which recommended that m future the connection between the parent society and the colonies be maintained by one efficient organising agent, who should endeavour to develop a system uf honorary secretaries throughout the colonies similar to what is found to work so well at Home. Mr Gillies also mentioned that on the 9th of March last the society had held its 91st birthday celebration at the Guildhall, London, by a large gathering of juvenile friends and collectors, presided over by Aldex-man Sir Joseph Laing, Bart, M.P., m the absence of the Lord Mayor through illness. The Lady Mayoress was present, and- a distinguished company of friends of the society. On the platform was a huge birthday cake weighing 911bs. After addresses had been given a knife was plunged into the cake by a little boy of about 12 years of age, the great-great-grandson of the Rev. T. Charles, of Bain, one of the founders of the society, and from whom the little AVelsh girl, Mary Jones, bought her first Bible, from savings she had been long gathering, and who to secure her much yearned for treasure had to walk fifty miles. A distribution of the cake followed. The Rev. C. E. Beecroft moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet m an effective allegorical speech, m which he represented a venerable gentleman 3000 years old, yet showing no signs of decrepitude or decay, coming upon the platform and narrating some of his experiences and travels. The aged visitor possessed of perennial youih was, of course, the Bible. The motion was seconded by Mr Blackwood and carried. The Rev. Mr Williams then delivered a vigorous speech, m which he sketched the work of the society, referring specially to some of the European countries and Africa. He mentioned that m addition to having its depots for the sale of the Bible all over the world, the society employs 600 colporteurs, whose work it is to read the Bible to individuals and meetings, wherever they can get an opportunity, as well as offer the book for sale. It also employs 400 Bible-women m the zenanas of India and the East. It has now translated more or less entirely the Bible into 320 languages and dialects and during the past twelve months it had supplied nearly fonr million copies to churches and missionary societies or circulated by its own agencies. But what is that number among the fifteen hundred millions of this world's inhabitants ! The society being undenominational and the handmaid of all the churches, both m their home and foreign missionary work, is deserving of the support of all Christians. Such hearty support he hoped it would receive m Timai-u. He concluded by moving that " This meeting records its thankfulness to God for the great and noble work being done by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and recognising the many and strong claims which that society has upon Christians of all denominations, pledges its support thereto, and heartily recommends the work of the society to the sympathy and support of our fellow citizens. Mr Edward Holdgate seconded the motion which was agreed to with applause. The following were the office-bearers appointed for the ensuing year:— Mr Edward Holdgate, president; Rev. C. E. Beecroft, vice-president; Rev. Mr Gillies, secretary and treasurer ; members of committee, the ministers of the town c.v officio ; and Messrs Ferrier, Vogeler, Hooper, Lane. Hilton, and Granger. . During the evening the united choirs of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches rendered some pieces of sacred music, and Miss Peters sang "The Better Land." Votes of thanks to the chairman, the choir, and the pastor and deacons of the Congregational Church for the use of their building, brought a most interesting meeting to a close.