The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-17 00:00:00

PRESENTATION OF A BIBLE TO THE

SULTAN OF ZANZIBAR.

In London, on Tuesday morning, a deputation from
the British and Foreign Bible Society waited upon the
Seyyid of Zanzibar at the Alexandra Hotel, to present
him with a copy of the Bible in Arabic, and a transla-
tion, as far as printed, of the Psalms and part of the
'Gospel of St. John in his own native dialect; and his
attendants with copies of the New Testament. The
Earl of Shaftesbury, who introduced the deputation,
was accompanied by Mr. G. A. Denny, Dr. Maurice
Schulhof, Baron von Streng, and several other gentle-
men.

The Earl of Shaftesbury said he was much obliged
to his Highness for receiving them in order that they
might present him with a copy of the Holy Scripture
in Arabic. He might be allowed to tell his Highness
that they represented a society founded more than 50
years ago for the purpose of diffusing the word of God
throughout all the nations of the earth, and they had
already, by God's blessing, been enabled to translate
the Scripture into 210 languages. He would only
say to his Highness what the Archbishop of Canter-
bury said to the Queen at her coronation, when he had
placed a copy of the Bible in her hands—" Your
Majesty, this is the best book in the whole world." He
humbly prayed his Highness to do all in his power to
circulate the book among his people, and expressed a,
hope that his Highness would be blessed in his govern-
ment for the good of his people and the glory of Gocl

The Seyyid of Zanzibar, through Dr. Badger, said
he trusted that this prayer might be carried out,
through the protection they received from the English
people, and their kind wishes on his behalf. Dr.
Badger added that the Seyyid knew perfectly well
what the Scriptures were, as he had a copy of them
at Zanzibar. He would say on this occasion that the
words of Jesus, upon whom be peace, are always
acceptable to us.
- -

Copies of the New Testament in Arabic were
handed to several members of the Arabic suite, and
the sovereign of Zanzibar was himself presented with
the Gospel of St. John and the Book of Psalms in
Swahili, and as an indication of the extensive opera-
tions of the society, a small book contained the sentence
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only be.
gotten Son," and so forth, in 134 different languages.
The Sultan expressed himself much pleased with this
curiosity, and looked through the little work with
apparent interest.
After a renewal of courtesies, the deputation with
drew.

DEPUTATION FROM THE SOCIETY
OF ARTS.

When the deputation from the Bible Society had
left, his Highness received a deputation from the
Society of Arts, consisting of Lord Alfred S. Church-
hill, the chairman of the council; Consul Petherick,
Mr. Andrew Cassels, Major-General Eardley-Wilmot,
Colonel Strange, Mr. Hyde Clarke, Admiral Omman-
ney, Mr. Edward Brooke, &c.
After the usual courtesies, Lord A. Churchill read
an address, beautifully engrossed in gold and colours
on vellum, the most important portion of which was as
follows :

"It is with deep gratification that this large and ancient
society has seen the enlightened efforts your Highness has
made, and is still making to promote commerce, trade, and
civilization in your Highness's dominions, and it thoroughly
appreciates the difficulties which your Highness has had to
overcome in this great work; and it earnestly hopes that
your Highness's visit to our land, and personally viewing the
effects which have been produced in it by the cultivation of
intelligence, industry, and trade, may strengthen your High-
ness in the further pursuit among your own people in Zanzi-
bar of the same elevating and civilising influences."

The reply of the Sultan, previously prepared, and
translated by Dr. Badger, was as follows :

"To the Hon. Members of the Society for the Encourage-
ment of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce,—We thank you
heartily for your kind congratulations, and for the honour
which-you have conferred upon us thereby. We have been
informed of the useful objects of your society—objects
which conduce to the happiness of mankind. You have a
wide though still uncultivated field for the exercise of
your praiseworthy zeal in the continent of Africa, and we
sincerely trust that you will not overlook that part of it
comprised within our dominions, and we promise you our
cordial co-operation. We need hardly say that we have seen
some of the wonderful triumphs of arts, manufactures, and
commerce in this great country, and we shall do all we can
to promote them among our own people. Your kindly wishes
for our prosperity and happiness are extremely gratifying to
us, and we heartily reciprocate them. Bidding God speed to
all the members of the society, and to its meritorious efforts
to aid the welfare of the world at large.—Written in the pro-
tected City of London, July 13th, 1875.—BARGHASH-BIN-
SAID."

Having shaken hands with his Highness, the depu-
tation withdrew.