BIBLE SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13676, 19 August 1908, Page 6

BIBLE SOCIETY.

«*- • ADDRESS BY MR SPENCER.

.The work of the British, and Foreign Bible Society in 1907 formed the subject of an interesting address by the Rev. P. H. Spencer, delivered in the Wesley, School laet evening. ■' The attendance .'was meagre. In the absence of the president of. the local branch of. the society, the Ven. Archdeacon Harper, the Rev.: Mr Baumber presided and ; ' introduced the speaker. ■,'.-,.

Mr Spencer, who spoke briefly and rapidly, covered a large area, of- 1 ground, touching on the work done by the society iii.the direction of translating and circu-

lating the scriptures in China; Africa and other parts of the globe. In connection with China he quoted Sir Robert Hart to the effect that "our best safeguard against that country was its evangelisation; and woe betide "us if China and Japan came forward as heathen powers." For many years the western nations had,- as it were, held China under their thumbs, but things had now changed'and'China was advancing and of all times this was the opportune one to introduce the Gospel, for before long China would lead in the Far East and those best acquainted with that country simply marvelled at its progress. China had gripped the opium traffic with a strong hand and large districts had already purged themselves dean of the curse; and now a great demand for the Bible had sprung up, giving the agents considerable difficulty in fulfilling requests, in fact, no country was asking for the scriptures as was China, as was shown by two and a half million copies, having been sold last year. In the case of Japan a prominent."individual had stated that the great need of that country was consolidation, and : this, could'only ■'be attained by the spread of the christian religion, which all were recognising as being: a" powerful factor for good and a guarantee of the peace of "the world. Korea; -Manchuria,: jigypt and Uganda were- briefly touched upon and instances were given, to . show ihe marvellous rate of progress these counties were making in, becoming christianised, but still there was even yet ?a> very'' Ijirge fiald open for missionary work andthe° spread of the scriptures, one authority Stating that China uould easily "take a quarter of a million teachers. But what; \fere we doing in the matter? The'speaker thought we were not contributing to the funds as we might and he mentioned methods employed for the raising tjf'money. He pointed out how, through the medium of a magazine issued by the iiciety, Waimate, was now contributing about £7O a vear to tlie society, where jjiefore £3 or *£4 was the amount; and (Jeraidine and some small North Island towns were doing equally-well. -' Mr Spencer then- came to the subject cf the proposed Australasian Bible Society, irhieh % had been suggested should be jcrmed on the lines of the Canadian one, jractically independent, yet affiliated to {he parent organisation in London. In Canada a greater enthusiasm had been infused into (the work, tlie internal work £i that country was now done.more thoriughlv and the contributions to. the parent society, about £SOOO per year, were iow double what t.hey were prior to lha formation of the society. The speaker thought it was time Australasia did similarly" to Canada in this respect: In reMy to Rev. Mx Hunt he stated .that it h"as proposed to retain the branches as M. present and to have a central board jn Australasia. The financial and interjial work could be done better in Australasia than in. London. .

j Mr Hiimt objected to decentralisation, ind argued that the change would lessen jthe financial and sentimental interest in the work; pejople would think the money Was all to be ppent in local work instead pf in the larger work in foreign lands, ft would be a thousand pities if the coionise we.re separated from the. parent society and he opposed the innovation. ! Xlr Spencer pointed out that there wrs b'o intention of confining-the, work to Australasia, nor had Canada confined her operations, but hs thought the local p-ork could be conducted, better on the spot than in Londqn. '■....

Mr Baumber advised carefully weighing tha matter before .expressing .any opinion. Mr Hunt said that the very name of the Australian, instead of the British and Foreign Bible .Society, would militate against its success. Mr Spencer said there was no need for haste; nothing would be done befc-ne 1910, when probably the various auxiliaries would be asked* to vote on the question'. . Mr .. Vogeler favoured the proposed change. No further action was taken in the matter, and the discussion dropping, a vote of thanks, on the motion of the Rev. Messrs 'Stinson and Buchanan, was accorded to Mr Spencer, and the meeting closed.