OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 12

OTAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The forty-fourth annual meeting of the Otago Bible Society was held on the 3r<J inst. in First Church Hall, there being a good attendance of Tiembers. Mr W. Brown presided. The annual report, submitted in pamphlet form, gave a comprehensive review of the year's work. After prefatory thanks to all workers, it stated that the year had not quite equalled last year's result, as the total income had been only £552 19s, instead of £627 18s - 3d, as in the previous year. ■ Only £225 was sent so each of the Home societies, in place of £250, and the total sent Homo was £500, es against ££60 in the previous, year. The manager of the New Zealand Bible Depot, reporting upon Scripture circulation, said about 6000 copies of the different publications had been distributed during the year. An attempt pad again beeu made to inaugurate a Bible Sunday, and a number of churches responded to the circulars sent them advancing the claims of such an institution. It was trusted that this movement would become general. The literature distribution department; maintained its activity in dealing with the numerous publications of the parent societies. The Rev. F. H. Spencer again visited Otago and Southland, bringing the needs and work of Bible distribution before the people. He spent 10 weeks preaching, lecturing, and visiting. The direct money outcome of his meetings was £47 6s 7d, but the indirect results must have been very much greater. Mr Spencer will visit the district; again this year. Alter a detailed review of the numerous country branches, and a comparison of the results of last year's work and this year's, this comparison showing a general falling off, the report concluded : — There is a decline in all parts of' our work, and we need as a society new vigour and purpose and fresh zeal. We will need a little more effort, more faith, more prayer if this decline is to be arrested, and if we are to go forward in the Lord's work of giving the Bread of Life to the starving millions of the world who have it not. Do we not hear our Lord's command, " Give ye them to eat." The Secretary of the National Bible Society, in thanking the society for 'ts donation, mentioned that since 1870 the society had forwarded no less a sum than £3292 10s, increasing from the original £25 to £250 — a notable increase. The Secretary of the British and Foreipm Bible Society also wrote conveying thanks for assistance rendered. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, mentioned that the British and Foreign Bible Society had last year published 5,934,000 copies of the Scriptures, making the total since the inception of the society 215,000,000. The National Bible Society, to which they also contributed, had published 2,056,000 copies, making a total of 31,500,000 copies of the Scriptures since its inception. The British and Foreign Bible Society had now translated the whole or portions of the Scriptures into 418 languages and dialects. The report was seconded by the Rev. W.Mawson, and adopted unanimously. On the motion of the Rev. J. Chisholm, hearty thanks were accorded to collectors, branch secretaries, and officers, etc., for work done. Special mention was made of Mrs H. Nisbet for her labour in collecting 1 £44 in Dunedin. The Rev. D. Borrie said a felt want in Dunedin was the lack of collectors. He thought it would never be righted till a Ladies' Committee was appointed to take up the matter heartily. On the motion of the Rev. D. Borrie, it was resolved to adopt the recommendation of the board that the closing of the society's books should be changed from March 31 to June 30. Messrs R. Chisholm and B. Rosevear (reelected) and the Rev. P. W. FaircloughJ were appointed members of the board for the next three 'yeaw. The meeting closed with expressions of thanks to the ladies of Kaikorai, Roalv», and Maori Hill for providing tea, Firsfi Church for the use. of the hall, etc., and ttf the chairman, secretary and treasurer, and the hon. auditor (Mr J S. Hislop) for their services. . " LINSEED COMPOUND." Trademark of Kay's Compound Essence of Linseed for Coughs and Colds.