BIBLE SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1940, Page 8

BIBLE SOCIETY

COMBINED MEETING.

LANSDOWNE AND CENTRAL BRANCHES.

A combined meeting of the Lansdowne and Central Branches of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the residence of Mrs L. Moore in Cole Street yesterday afternoon, Mrs John Macßae presiding. The minutes of the Lansdowne branch were read by Mrs S. N. Kilgcur, secretary, and duty adopted and signed by the President, Mrs L. B. Maunsell. Mrs E. J. Brown, secretary of the Central branch followed with the branch minutes which were signed by Mrs G. G. Tolhurst, president.

Mrs Violet Wakelin spoke of the magnitude of the Society’s work, illustrating her remarks by means of comparison with the height of the tower at the recent Centennial Exhibition. The number of Bibles and Testaments distributed each day, she said, if piled one upon another would reach to a height approximately four times that of the Centennial Tower. The additional work which the Society faced this year in connection with the provision of Testaments for the troops was referred to, and much interesting information given concerning the provision of the Scriptures for men on the the minesweepers, for Polish sailors now serving with the British Navy, for the soldiers of our Allies in France and Belgium and for the French and Flemish speaking forces. There are also appeals to the Society on behalf of German prisoners of war in England, and through the Red Cross, for British prisoners in Germany, and Russian prisoners in Finland. All would realise, sad Mrs Wakelin, that this work, added to that done in past years in other spheres would necessitate additional gifts to the Society’s funds. Friends were thanked for previous efforts and were urged to greater enthusiasm than ever, during the coming months, when the collections in the Masterton District would be made. Mrs Moore served a much appreciated afternoon tea, and received a hearty vote of thanks for her hospitality.