BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1946, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

VISIT OF SECRETARY The 24th annual meeting of the Otaki branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in Chalmers Presbyterian Church refcently, Canon Fry presiding. After the singing of the hymn, "Thou Whose Almighty Word," Rev. W. B. Pickering read from Ephesians, chapter six, and Rev. A. Ashwin led in prayei;. The secretary read the annual report, which was' duly adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: — President: Rev. W. B. Pickering; vice-presi-dents: Local ministers and their wives, and also Mesdames Swabey and Hickling, the Misses Bennett, Evans and L. Grant and Mr. and Mrs.- F. S. Simcox; secretary: Mrs. Beattie; treasurer: Mrs'. W. Tay101*. In extending a warm welcome to Mrs. Markham-Jones, organising secretary for the Wellington district, Canon Fry stated that 'all present were looking forward to an interesting address on the work of this great society, a work that brought the members of the different churches together in a spirit of comradeship. Many had been privileged to attend the centenary meeting in Levin recently, and to hear ui'iose world famous women of God, the Misses French and Miss Mildred Cable. All were grateful for theii inspiring and challenging message, and thrilled to hear of the indispensable lielp the society had been to them in their labours. Mrs. Markham Jones then addressed the gathering, firstly thanking Canon Fry for his kindly welcome. She said the secretary had mentioned in the report that :he small increase last year of ,12s cn the previous year's local financial result had perhaps been a little disappointing, but she reminded collectors that although the amount sent by Otaki friends direct to Bible House had decreased by £5, the result of the house- tohouse collections had actually been an increase of £5 10s, so there was really no cause for discouragement. She was very grateful for so fine a response to her appeal last year. This year was the New Zealand centenary of the society, which in Britain was 142 years old. For so young a country as New Zealand it was a fine achievement to have arrived at the 100 years mark on September 2 of this year. In previous years Mrs. Jones said ffife*"had spokeil of the- work done by the society in foreign lands, but ihe would like this year to speak of -,he British side of the work and Darticularly of what was being done '.n New Zealand. At the annual meeting in London, Bishop Bergrav lad said that Britain was like a rock, so firm and sure, no one ippealed to her in vain. All over ;he world were to be found copies ;f the Scriptures which had been irinted in Britain. With regard to fche special work for the New Zea'aild centenary, the Maori Bible was being revised, a work that was nuch - appreciated by all th; ^ociety's Maori friends, and a •pecial edition of the New Testament had been printed in English toi* the Pakeha peoples of New Zealand, with a message specially given by the King and Queen for he young people. These were nttractively bound and being solcl 'or the small sum cf one shilling iach, muoh below cost of producion. Mrs. Jones mentioned the ack of knowledge of the Bible in he young people of todav, and trusted that many older folk would ake advantage of this offer and lass on Gcd's word to those young folk that they knew. A book telling of the 100 years' history of the society in New Zealand had also aeen printed. The Dominion executive commit:ee had approached Britain with regard to having one 01* more pecial speakers sent from home chis year and, as had already been mentioned, the Misses French and Miss Miidred Cable, renowned jxplorer missionaries and writers, were holding meetings throughout the country on behalf of the society 's work. rlnese/ women oi God, as Canon Fry had aptly termed them, were everywhere received by crowded gatherings, and their messages were indeed an inspirarion to all who heard them. ' Rev. Paora Temuera thanked Mrs. Markam Jones for her very interesting and heipful address. He was sure that they should go forward 71th renewed viaour in the days : hat lay ahead: He then closed the meeting by pronouncing the Benediction in the Maori and English language. Afternoon tea was served by the ladies, and collecting books and literature were distributed. It was decided to finish all collecting by "ihe middle of October if possible. The collectors for 1946 are: Mesdames W. Taylor, K. Taylor, Henwood, Tulley, Turner, A. E. Taylor. Maberby and Beattie/ and the Misses Both, Evans, Frier and Elliott.