SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22513, 23 November 1944, Page 8

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

BIBLE SOCIETY’S ACTIVITIES Appreciation of the efforts of collectors in the society’s interests during the past year was voiced by the president, Mrs Stephenson Craig, at the annual meeting of the Hamilton district branch of the New Zealand British and Foreign Bible Society yesterday. The financial report was satisfactory. Mrs Craig mentioned the notable results achieved by the Hamilton East branch and stressed the splendid work performed by a 1 youth, N. Crossan, in assisting with the collection. The Dominion secretary, the Rev. David Caider, of Wellington, said that indications were that very shortly local members would become separate from the Auckland centre, for a South Auckland or Waikato centre would be formed. An interesting account of her work in China was given by Miss Ina Tebbs, of Hamilton, a missionary who recently returned from China on furlough. Miss Tebbs said that the demand for Bibles in North China became so great that the supply was insufficient to meet the demand. Remarkable efforts were required by missionaries in distributing books and it was necessary to run risks of being captured by the Japanese. To the Chinese a Bible was a most valuable possession, Miss Tebbs continued. They looked after it with the greatest care. The speaker remarked that the Chinese people proved adept at learning to speak English through the missionaries’ asMiss Tebbs said that the people of China were overcoming idol worship and heathen practice. The oldest missionary in China was 84 years of age. ,A vote of thanks to Mr Caider and Miss Tebbs was proposed by the Rev. C. L. French. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs Stephenson Craig; vice-presidents, Mrs W. Fraser, Mr E. V. Stace and the ministers of the churches; secretary, Miss L. M. Clark; treasurer, Mr C. B. Mac Diarmid. All were re-elected.