BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 898, 22 May 1903, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS'

3EV. F. W. MCDONALD’S VISIT,

A special meeting of the Gisborne brunch of the B i t.-h and Foreign Bible Society was held last evening iu the Holy Trinity schoolroom for the purpose ol meeting the Rev. F. V,’. McDonald, one of a deputation from London, who comes to the colony in connection with the Society's centennial celebration. Despite the unfavorable state of the weather there was a tivviy n-pres,-illative attend.nice cl lunti-

hers of the (iiherem churcsn s. His Worship the .Mayor presided, and amongst those on the platform were the Revs. J. G. Paterson. \V. Welsh, B. F. Rothweil. H. Williams, Adjutant Cook (Salvation Army), Messrs C. A. DcLautour, J. l’eekover (secretary), Campbell Thompson, A. Graham, T. Stafford, and a number of ladies.

Tne proceedings opened with the singing of the hymn “ Cling to the Bible," followed with short prayer by the Rev. W. Welsh and the reading of a portion of Scripture by the llev. J. G. Paterson.

The Mayor congratulated the dc-puta tion and the meeting upon the fact that the Bible Society Pad arrived at its hundredth year, and that the work that it hail been doing had proved such a great blessing to the world. Ho called upon the Rev. McDonald to address the meetiug. The Rev. F. W. McDonald, who was cordially welcomed, said that it was the custom of peoples and nations to celebrate certain events in their history. A few years ago the English nation had celebrated the jubilee of their Queen, and subsequently the Diamond Jubilee. There was no great nation but had similar commemorations of great events, and the Bible Society had thought it desirable that the completion of the first hundred years of its existence should be commemorated by efforts being made to obtain funds to largely increase their labors. The century during which the Society had existed manifested greater progress than any other century in the history of the world, with tho exception of two ; one was the century from which all Christian nations dated their period of time, A.D., the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the other was the century in which America was discovered and the printing press established. Tho wonderful effects that had been produced in the history of tho world by these great discoveries had been fraught with immense benefits to tho civi iised world. After referring to the excellent work done by the British and Foreign Bible Society and other agencies, Mr McDonald added that one could not he better exorcised nor bettor use his time and money than in endeavoring to multiply tho various versions of the Scriptures. The Scriptures vindicated themselves by their own work, they proved their own value by their silent influence as leaven upon the hearts and lives of those who were brought under their influences. The rev. gentleman at some length dwelt on the growth of the English language, which, he said, was now spoken by no less than 160 millions of people. He deemed it most fitting that the centenary anniversary of the Bible Society should be appropriatly celebrated. Great, as had been the success of the last hundred years, there was no reason why it should not bo even greater in the future. The seventh of March next would be completion of the hundred years of the Society’s work, and on the previous day, Sunday 6th, would be regarded throughout England as Bible Sunday. It was desired to bear a universal testimony to the supremacy of the Scriptures. They could not afford to allow the supremacy of tho Bible to diminish, and if they wanted moral homes every influence for good should bo sought. If modern Britain, whether in tho northern or southern hemisphere, let tho Bible become a neglected or despised instrument, it would deterioato as other nalious had done before it. Continuing, the rev. gentleman pointed out that man’s ministry to man had been used by God as the various centuries had passed, by the co-operation of , various agencies, as shown by the discovery of printing. He considered that they should deem it a high privilege to be permitted in auy way to increase the work of tho Bible Society, which in a hundred years had distributed 170,000,000 Bibles or portions of the Bible throughout the world. , The speaker quoted the names of many eminent missionaries of the century who had added priceless treasure by their

labors to the blessings of their fellow-men. In conclusion, Mr McDonald urged a closer study of the Bible which alone was calculated to make men pure and holy. He appealed to his brother ministers who were present that evening to assist in this great work, and so send or assist in sending a thrill of new hope and gladness of love and purity through this portion of the British Empire. Several Native students from. To Rau College, together with the Rev. H. AVillianas and Mr R. T. Kohere, then sang a hymn in Maori, in a most impressive manner.

Mr Peckover, secretary of local branch, made a short appeal for subscriptions to , the fund, stating that the auxiliary hoped to be able to raise the sum of £IOO as Gis- . borne’s donation towards the 250,000 guineas which the Society were endeavoring to raise. Mr DeLautour, on behalf of the Gisborne auxiliary, thanked His AVorship the Mayor for his kindness in attending the meeting that evening. “Mr Townley is such a remarkably busy man,” remarked Mr DeLautour, “ that such a kindness deserves appreciation at our hands. AVhere is not Mr Townley, to be found when there is an object for doing good ?” Continuing Mr DeLautour moved the following resolution in regard to the Centennial movement “ That the Christians of Gisborne express their thanks to the British and Foreign Bible Society for sending out the deputation, and pledge themselves to show their appreciation in every possible way, and to endeavor as far as possible to assist in this work of raising the sum of 250,000 guineas to extend the operations of the Society.” Ho considered it a welcome privilege to be allowed to share in this work. The work to be done was enormous, and although great results had been obtained in the past they had to remember the fact thas there were 450 millions of heathen who did not know the AVord of God. The great British Empire would not be doing its duty if it did not respond to the call of the Bible Society and give a quarter of a million or double that amount towards the work of the Society. He was sure that it could be done, but it was only by a “ multiple of littles ” that they would succeed. He sincerely hoped they would carry the resolution meaning to give it effect. . The Rev. J. G. Paterson seconded the resolution, heartily endorsing the remarks of the previous speaker. The Rev. H. Williams *sup.ported the resolution, and said that whilst 160,000,000 spoke the English language, there were 450,000,000 to whom at present the Bible was an unknown book, and the work that they had hitherto done had only touched the fringe. A’otes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and the Rev. F. AV. McDonald, and the meeting concluded with the sin"ing of the Doxoiogy, the Benediction being pronounced by the Rev. AV. AVeish. The Rev. Mr McDonald will attend a drawing-room meeting at 2.30 this afternoon at the residence of the Misses Morice, and he will address a meeting at Ormond this evening.