BIBLE SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2499, 6 May 1893, Page 3

BIBLE SOCIETY.

There was rather a small attendance at the annual meeting of the Geraldine Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society held in the Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening, and Dr Fish (president) occupied the chair in the absence of the Kev. Mr Preston, who would have been in the chair but had another engagement elsewhere. Dr Fish was glad tr> do anything for the society that he possibly could, but he considered that he had held the office of president long enough, and they should elect someone else in his stead. The Bible Society was one he was specially interested in because he felt it to be the first society of the day. In his opinion they had done very well in Geraldine so far.

The secretary, the Rev. Mr Todd, then read the report and balance-sheet, as follows ; —« The committee are pleased to be able to lay before you a report of the proceedings of the branch during its second year, the keynote of which is progress. The collectors, who are the mainstay of the society, have in most cases done their work well; and the sum of £24 in free contributions has been forwarded to the South Canterbury Auxiliary in Timaru. This is an increase of £ll 9s. on the former year. Collectois are still wanted for one or two districts. The depot for the Bale of Bibles and Testaments was opened in June, 1892, under the charge of Mrs Gibson, and has been as successful as could have been expected. Books were sold to the amount of £2 7s 4d, and this the committee consider vei/ satisfactory. The annual visit of the Rev. H. J. Robjohns was made last month, but, owing to the wet weather and counter attractions on St. Patrick's night, the attendance at the meeting was small, though thoroughly representative. Mr Robjohns well sustained the interest, created by his former visits, and encouraged u& in our work. The organ of the society, the Monthly Reporter, is now subscribed to by some members of committee, who find it full of information, both useful and interesting. The secretaiy will be very pleased to procure further copioe for any who are interested in the work of this great society. The annual meeting was held on the 4th May, 1892, the, same day as the annual meeting in London, and at it the retiring committee was re-elected. In retiring from office again they desire to acknowledge with appreciation the devoted efforts of the collectors, to whose labors the success of the branch is largely due, and to wish for even greater success in the future/'

The balance-sheet showed receipis : Balaneo from last year, £1 7s 4d; collected, £24 3s; depot sales, £2 7s 4d; total, £27 17s Bd. Expenditure : Sun£2O 4s lOd ; total, #27 13s iQd. Credit balance in hand, as IQd. On tho motion of M? Moore, the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

On the motion of Mr Sherratt, the retiring committeo were ro-elected, with the addition of Mr R. McKenzie,

Mr Sherratt thought that the society's collectors had done exceptionally well considering the various subscription lists out during.the year. Votes cf thanks were passed to the collectors, Dr Fish (president),, and the Jlev. A. B. Todd (secretary). " Tho mooting then closed-"