BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 48, 26 February 1901, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

GISBORNE AUXILIARY,

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Gisborne auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the Native' College yesterday afternoon. There was a fair attendance, the Rev. Canon Webb presiding. The following report was read by the Chairmon:—

“ In presenting the report for the year 1900 your committee has again to express regret that the operations of the auxiliary have not been characterised by great activity. Various circumstances have contributed to this result, and it will be for the auxiliary to devise some means of preventing the recurrence of the avoidable causes! The balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £59 12s 6d, as against £4l 10s lOd last year. But oven this cannot be claimed to bo a matter for congratulation, for, while the sale of Bibles is nearly £1 higher than last year’s, that amount is mainly accounted for by the receipt from Hawke’s Bay of the proceeds of the Maori Bibles for some time back. Subscriptions have fallen £2S 7s to .£24 18s 2d, and collections from .£24 19s lid to £l7 16s 2d. It appears, then, that the increased credit balance is due to tho fact that expenditure has been curtailed, It must also be borne In mind that the balance includes a sum of £22 6s received for Maori Bibles, which has to bo paid over to the parent Society. In May the district was visited by the Rev. F. H. Spencer, the Society’s paid agent in New Zealand. Ho delivered lantern lectures in town and at Matawhoro and Ormond, which were fairly well attended. Whilo recognising the earnestness of Mr Spencer’s work, the connnittoc is of opinion that some better system could be devised than that of a travelling paid agent. Correspondence was therefore opened with other auxiliaries suggesting a periodical conference of delegates from the various auxiliaries. The suggestion did not meet with approval, but tho Auckland auxiliary preferred the triennial visit of a representative of tho parent Society, and at tho same time intimated that it had not availed itself of the services of the Society’s paid agent. Our thanks aro duo to our country collectors for their kind assistance, and to Mr Pollock for his voluntary caro of the depot.” Tho Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, made an excellent speech, traversing the work of tho Society during recent years. Referring to tho loca branch, he expressed regret that the report was not better, but owing to a variety of reasons there had been a scarcity of funds. He did not think that one could devote one’s attention to forwarding a more worthy object, and ho hoped in the first year of tho new century to see better results. A most valuable feature about tho Society was that the Word of God was set forth without any human explanation or comment. The books were given out and were left to make their own way. They found that in every land where God had placed tho Bible that it had made its own way, and that without tho aid of preachers. In conclusion, Canon Webb urged all present to take a greater interest in the affairs of the Society. The Rev. J. G. Paterson seconded tho adoption of the report. Tho election of officers was then proceeded with, the Rev. Canon Webb being re-elected President, whilst the following ladies and gentlemen were elected lay members- of the committee: —Mrs. McNair, Misses E. Morice and L. Pasley, Messrs DeLautour, Kano, Matthaws, Pasley, Thomson, Warren, Witty, Graham, and Kohere.