BRITISH AND FOREIGN SOCIETY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1522, 1 April 1887, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SOCIETY

The meeting held on Wednesday night m the Presby erian Church m the interests of the Hritish and Foreign Bible Society was very well attended by a gathering representing all the Proteatant churches m Aahburton Rev. Alex. Beattio presided, and after giving a short address, introduced the Rev. Mr Bohjohns, the Society's agent, to the audience The latter ab once took those present into his confidence, and very clearly and rapidly explained many interesting facts m regard to the Riblo Society he co ably acts for. We quoto come of hiß figures : 130,000 Bibles have been distributed m Now Zealand, printed m the Muori tongue. This fc-ociety was now engaged translating and printing the Hible into Japanese. In 1800 tlvre were only 30 languages m which the Bible was printed ; m 1887 it, could h Q had m 325 languages and dialects. Pr fossor Gust, a standard authority, gavo 539 languages to the Fast Indies ; 590 to Africa (of these only 70 had the Biblo), an f l about 2000 to the whole world. The Hittite Bible history which had been very strongly criticised by Professor Newman m his writings, had within the last 10 years been completely and fully proved reliable by discoveries m Assyria of anoient inscriptions. Hymns printed for the meeting were sung, Misa Kidd acting as organist The Rev Mr Nicall proposed, and Mr Sawle seconded a resolution, " That a branch of the Bible Society be formed here, with Mr G. Jameson as president, Mr D. H. Brown treasurer, and Rev A. Blake soorotarp, and several other gentlemen as a committee." This was carried, also a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Robjohnß for his very instructive and entertaining address, which had been closely listened to by all. Mr Bobjohns, m returning thanks, expressed a hope that a depot for the Society would soon be opened here, and invited anyone visiting London to see the Society Bible House, cm© of the wonders of London,