BIBLE SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, 21 February 1927, Page 5

BIBLE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF CARTERTON BRANCH. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Carterton branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held on Friday in the Anglican Vicarage grounds, where afternooh tea was provided by the Anglican ladies ana was much appreciated. There was an excellent attendance. Mrs. Raine was elected president, and presided at the meeting. Mrs' Porter (oragnising secretary) congratulated the branch upon securing the services of Mrs. Raine, whom she had known at Ma nt in bo rough and whose help as well as that of the Vicar, had been greatly appreciated by the Bible Society. Mrs. Every (secretary) read the report and balance sheet which were most satisfactory and interesting. Several ladies offered to collect, and the following were elected: Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Connell, Mrs. Dunn, Miss Edwards. Mrs. Ingley. Miss Keall, Miss Knowles, Mrs. A. King, Mrss Jones, Miss Sorensen, Miss Doris Maitland, Miss J. -Moncrieff, Miss Moncrieff, Miss Ordisli, Mrs. Pepperell, Misses Reynolds, Miss Saywell, Mrs. Tyler, Miss Telford, Mrs. Wakelin, and Miss Lask. Several other names will be available in a few days.

Mrs. Every was re-elected secretary. This will be her sixth year of service. A very hearty vote of appreciation was accorded Mrs. Every for her splendid record of work.

Sympathetic reference was made to the recent illness of Mrs. Johnstone and grateful thanks wore tendered for the work she had done as president. Mrs. Porter spoke upon the work of the society, mentioning that in New Zealand last year 25,762 copies of the Scriptures were distributed from the Bible House, in 24 languages. This established a record. In .1924, 8976 co£ ies were sent out. and in 1925 19,867 copies. The increase shown this year was very inspiriting to all concerned. Quoting the annual report, Mrs. Porter said: “Our slogan for the year must l>e 5s in the pound increase.” During three years, she added, there had been an increase of nearly two million copies of the Scriptures. The expenditure was necessarily greater; it had gone up by nearly £68,000. They wished their friends to understand clearly that the deficit of £34,000 was not a sign of failure; it was a sign of success. The deficit arose out of the increased demand for the Scriptures. That was something to rejoice about, but they did not wish to continue marking success by financial deficits. An advance of 25 per cent. in the 'contributed income was needed.