BIBLE SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1938, Page 10

BIBLE SOCIETY

• MASTERTON BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual meeting of the Masterton branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in St Matthew’s Parish Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a large and representative attendance, the chair being taken by the Rev E. J. Rich. The Rev A. T. Thompson, M.A., 8.D., late Commonwealth Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was present and gave an inspiring address on the world-wide influence of the Bible, tracing its progress through the ages. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Rev F. J. Parker; vice-presidents, the Revs J. Davie, E. J. Rich, D. McNeur, R. Dickie, T. V. Pearson, Major Mahaffie, Mrs J. Macßae; committee, Mesdames J. Macßae, F. J. Parker, E. J. Rich, J. Davie, D. McNeur, F. Ractliffe, J. W. Perry, L. B. Maunsell, S. N. Kilgour, T. M. Aplin, G. G. Tolhurst, E. J. Brown, Miss Lois McGregor, Mr E. Hale; secretary and treasurer, Mrs E. J. Brown; Ladies’ Auxiliary, president, Mrs J. Macßae; committee, Mesdames J. W. Perry, L. Moore, F. Ractliffe, J. M. James, L. B. Maunsell, G. G. Tolhurst, S. N. Kilgour, T. M. Aplin, E. J. Brown, Misses Lois McGregor and Pearce.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Rev A. T. Thompson for his address, the officers, collectors and afternoon tea committee.

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was adopted on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mrs L. Moore, stated:— “In presenting our report of the year’s work we again place on record our heartfelt gratitude to God for the privilege of service in connection with the distribution of Scriptures through the medium of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The year just closed has proved a.very successful one, the sum of £l2O 12s having been raised as against £ll6 Ils 6d last year, an increase of £4 Os 6d. This result has only been attained by the fine spirit manifested by our willing band of lady collectors, and they have our deepest thanks for their assistance. Several of them have grown old in this sphere of work and feel that though they would willingly go on their bodily strength will not permit them. We do pray that our Heavenly Father will touch the hearts of some of the younger generation to step into the breach. Miss R. Fawcett, Organising Secretary, held meetings of all the local branches and was greatly cheered by the warm welcome extended to her and is deeply grateful to the following ladies for their excellent organisation and kind hospitality:—Mesdames J. Macßae, F. Ractliffe, A. T. Thompson, D. McNeur, G. Tolhurst, L. B. Maunsell, S. Kilgour, J. W. Perry, T. Aplin, and Miss McGregor. As a result of these meetings new collectors came forward to help with the year’s work. We desire to express to our Ladies’ Auxiliary, with Mrs Macßae as President, the warmest thanks for their ever-ready help and support at all times. At the last annual meeting we were greatly inspired by an address given by the Rev A. T. Thompson, late General Secretary of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is pleasing to-note that dVIr Thompson has again consented to address our annual meeting this year. We also desire to express our deepest thanks to all our Ministers for their kindly interest and co-operation. May we continue to pray that rich blessings crown all our efforts for the extension of the work of sowing the seed in the vast world field which seems to be so speedily ripening to the great harvest.”