AN URGENT APPEAL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7914, 4 August 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

AN URGENT APPEAL.

To all who in these unprecedented times of struggle and stress have the moral courage to put first things first, it must be gratifying to know that in spite of the war the woik of the British and Foreign Bible Society has been carried on with undiminished zeal, and that the Society has continued to faithfully fulfill its mission during the most tragic years we have ever known. From a summary of the 113th annual report of the Society, as incorporated in the annual report of the New Zealand Agency, we learn that tho great work of translation and revision goes forward unchecked. Jt is recorded that “the list of versions ni which the Bible Society has helped to produce and circulate God’s message to men now contains 504 different languages. These include a complete Bible in 132 forms of speech, and a complete New Testament in 119 more No fewer than 104 new languages have been added in the last eleven years—which is at the rate of one in less than every six weeks. During the past year versions have been published for the first time in seven fresh tongues.” The work of distribution has been correspondingly enormous. During the last three years the Societv has sent out more than 30,000,000 copies of tlie Scriptures, and each of these million? of copies yas either a Bible, or a Testament. or at least one complete book of the Bible. Of last year's issues, two million books were in English—which is 700,000 more than in the year before the war, and in tins connection it mav he noted I that the demands for English and Welsh editions for British troops, which became imperious in 1915, had been largely satisfied by 1916. The Society has indeed been mindful of our gallant soldiers and sailors, and amid the storm and earthquake and fire which are working havoc in the world it has lost no opportunity to distribute the gospel message. We read that in trenches, dugouts, in prison-camps, in barrack-rooms and on battleships, the fighting men of all the nations now at strife have been reading the khakibound pocket Testaments and Gospels and Psalters issued bv our Society. Since the war began we have been able to provide over six million volumes 11 half a hundred languages. If only wo could follow those little books on their sacred mission, we should see them discoloured by mud and rain, torn with shell-splinters, stained with blood; we should hear them whispering comfort by the bods of countless wounded, we should watch them reverently from tho pockets of tho dead.” It follows, ot course, that special funds arc inquired for the maintenance of this effort, to enable the Society to meet the ihcreasing demand. There may he some of our readers who will be interested to learn tnnt fifty pounds provides for the supply and distribution of one thousand well-hound'New Testaments! On the financial side, the Society’s executive while able to announce with thankfulness that, despite the war, tlie contiibutions from the Society’s Auxiliaries, not only at Home but overseas, have 'nearly everywhere increased—stand? fWe to face with grave difficulties. The Society s is controlled by rigid economy carried to the utmost limit consistent with efficiency. The war has contracted the possibilities of colportage in several countries, but other expenses have inevitably increased. The total payment for the past year have amounted to £257,263 which is £6606 more than the Society received. During the ast three years the Society received altogether £12,00') less than it was compelled to spend. ‘‘Hie world,” the report savs, “has learnt to regard the Bible Society is tlie chief source from which the Scriptures are provided for our own peopb, for nations overseas, for the soldiers of all races engager! in the war, and especially for the ever-growing mission? to non-Christian lands. . . . England

to-day is suffering from a scarcity of many things. At the present time, however, we can say, broadly speaking, Jdint the Bible Society lias not run short -of its necessary editions of the Scriptures. Its directors have looked ahead in these critical times, so as always to have adequate supplies in hand or guaranteed. Before the end of 1916 they looked further ahead still, and placed •orders lor new editions to provide at least for the needs of the present year. Sirdi a step entails very heavy expenditure. The alarming increase in charges for paper and printing and binding” is compelling the Society to lay out this year £30,000 extra nierely to produce its editions, besides spending far more money for freight and insurance.” In those circumstances the directors of the Society are endeavouring to raise an emergency fund to provide for present liabilities, and the claims of the immediate rtiture. ' o this fund, His Majesty the King, who has told his people that, he himself reads the Bible every day, has graciously contributed £IOO, to show his personal sympathy witli the work of sending out the Scriptures to the world ; and members of the committee have endorse! the appeal by themselves subscribing £SOOO already. The work carried on by the British am! Foreign Biolo Society is of such importance both in tlie religious and general life of the world, that its representatives in New Zealand may, we feel sure, lely upon being able to report a practical and generous rev-ponso to the Society’ urgent appeal.