Bible Critics.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3541, 1 July 1905, Page 3

Bible Critics.

The British and Bible'Society has the misfortune this year to show a deficit of more than £35,000. The society, however, is in the possession of a reserve fund to draw upon, and though the total deficit for the seven rears 1899-1905 reached no less than £1x2,339, this large sum has, in the words of the secretary, been met from “the granaries of the society, which were full to overflowing.”. The total income ot the society for the past year reached the sum of £218,589, whilst the expenditure for The same period totalled £253,822. For the Centenary Fund of the society 250,000 guineas were needed, and the receipts and promises towards this sum amount to the present to £238,791 03 gd, leaving a balance of £23,708 19s 3d, to.be raised. Some of die most remarkable and encouraging gilts towards this fund have come from native Christian communities in the mission field. *

Of the vast and ever-increasing work in which the society is engaged the report gave ample evidence. During the past year twelve new versions of the Bible have been published, bringing up the total versions to 390. Last year the society issued 5,857,000c0pies »f the Scriptures, making the total issues since the foundation of the society 192,538,000. During the past year the 930 colporteurs abroad have sold the record number of over 2,250,000 copies. The society has, too, given away about 350,000 copies ol the Russian and Japanese to the troops ou both sides at the front, to the sick and wounded in hospitals, and to prisoners of war.

The Marquis of Northampton, in the course of an address at the annual meeting in Exeter Hail, made reference to the revival work that was going on in the country, and remarked that as all revivals must proceed from, and be based on, the Bible, their society was taking its share in all revivalism. Alluding to the unquestioning faith with which the heathen received the Bible, his lordship said he wished some of the higher critics they had at home would also receive the Bible more as little children. But instead its amhi-. guides were magnified by microscopical treatment, and mysteries too deep for the human mind were treated as though they were propositions of Euclid, whilst undue stress was laid upon immaterial details and the most simple truths were laid upon one side, i Applause).

In connection with the deficit for the past year, the noble chairman contended that this was not the time to talk of a reduction of their work ; Christian people should see it was not reduced.

The Bishop ot St. Albans moved a resolution adopting the report, and calling upon the Churches to provide the necessary funds for the maintenance and extension of the work. His lordship said their financial deficiency proued the success ot their work. (Applause). The motion was seconded and adopted.