The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
sixty-Second Annual Meeting of the Bible
Society of Virgipia.

This Society held its s.rty second annual meet
ing at the First Baptist church on Tuesday even
ing, the 9th inst. the President, Rev. George w.
Woodbridge, ID. d., in the chair. Rev. Dr. VIM.
Brown read the
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
The report sets out by saying that one of the
the Holy Scriptures is that, from the very begin
ming of the Christian era, there has been an in.
tense desre-it might be called an intense passion
for translating them into other tongues. Before
the art of printing was known there was such In
finite toll and cost involved that even original
manuscripts of the masterpieces of Greek and Ro
man literature were multiplied to but very linn
tied extent. Much less did the work of mere
translation occupy their attention. But no such
difficulties repressed the energies of Christians
where the Bible was concerned. By the middle
of the second century there no less than three
Greek versions OF the Old Testament in addition
to the Septuagint-those of Aquila, Theodotian,
and Symmachus Still earlier the Peshito-Syriac
version, including the Old and New Testament,
was completed About the same time it appeared
in Latin 1.-THE old Italic.) 1t was translated again
into that language by Jerome. Dy the end of the
fourth century the Scriptures were translated in
whole or in part-but certainly nearly the whole OF
the New Testament-into the Coptic, Sahidc,
Armenian, Ethiopic, aad Gothic. Nor did the
holy work cease even during the dark ages -
In the sixth century the Bible was translated into
Georgian; in the ninth into Sclavonc; and vari
Gus ranslations of the Gospels and other parts of
the Scripture into Anglo-Saxon and several other
Teutonic languages were executed at intermediate
dates.
Another interesting fact is the enormous mass of
literature which the Bible has evoked. About q
century and half ago man of distinguished
learning gave a catalogue as far as he could of all
the books that had been directly or Indirectly
brought out by the Bible down to his time
Though not exhaustive, it forms quarto volume
of more than 700 pages, and it is probable that
similar work brought down to the present time
would be three-times as large.
A still more interesting and encouraging fact is
found in the immense and increasing circulation
now given to the Word of God. One OF the most
distinguished authors OF the present time in Great
Britain. in his last work recently published, speaks
as follows: Il observe that during the year 1872,
1879, no less than 1892 $50 copies of the whole
Bble. or large portions of it, were issued by the
british and Foreign) Bible Society. Now the
nublishers circular tells US that last year (lS72)
4 Sl4 works of all kinds, including pamphlets mot
sermons) and reprints, were published in London.
And if we suppose each impression to average
900 copies, (rather liberal allowance, and per-
hans only too fatteripg to most authors, then the
comics of this one old book issued in London ex.
ceeded the half Of all the copies of the new and
old books of the year put together" If an exami;
nation were made it would probably be confirmed
BY similar state of facts in this country.
The following is q statement OF the work Of the
Virginia Bible Society during the past year by
agents and colporters: Auxiaries visited, "A; an
piyersaries attended 81 auxiliaries and branches
organized, 30; ecclesiastical bodies visited 3d. ad
dresses delivered, ZIG; documents distributed
about 20, 600; numder of miles travelled about 25,.
600; families visited, 1916. In many of the fam
lilies visited instruction in religious truth was given
and the afflicted we're prayed with and comforted
Number of families found destitute. 5S7 fam
lilies supplied, 1867; individuals supplied, 1856
total number of persons visited, allowing six to a
family, Sc ,256; total number of persons supplied
9 522; number of volumes sold by colporters, l.,
79l: value of volumes sold by colporters, 1891 09
number of volumes donated by coporters, $50;
value of volumes donated. 1924 49, Volumes on
hand April LIST, 1874, 2.O36; purchased from the
American Bible Society, 4457; grants to the Vir
GINA Bible Society by the American Bible Society,
/, $50; received from other Societies, 746; total
in the Depository during the year, I462S, value OF
Auxiliaries, Agents and Colporters, 636; sales
at Repositories, l.4l2 gratuitous distribution, l.,
346 total life members 1899; total issues from the
Depository II 500. value of which is 465 81; on
hand April lst, 1875, 2O35, value of which is $3.50.
90; total, a. 62S.
The General Agent (Rev. NJ. W. Staples) then
read summary of the
WORK ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST THREE
AND HALF YEARS.
Total number of families visited 81 S54 allow
ing six persons to family, this would constitute q
population of 1000 persons. Total number of
families found destitute, 7,4l3; total number of
families supplied, 1887 total number persons
supplied, outside of families 635. From this |
il will be perceived that about 30 600 persons have
Turing the past three years and a half received |
The precious word of God from the hands of the |
Virginia Bible Society. The total number of vol |
lmes received into the State since April, 1871. is
50, OS4. The total number of issues from the De.
oository in Richmond is 6l049 volumes. The
lumber of volumes now on hand is 2,035.
On motion of Mr.. VIM f. Taylor the report was
.dopted, and referred to the Board of Managers to
De published.
THE soCIETY's FINANCES.
Mr.. William Willis Jr., the treasurer, was pre-
,ented from attending the meeting on account OF
ickness, and his report was read by Mr.. Staples.
t shows that the amount received to date was ST.
90 So: paid out during the year, 1927 81 BAL
nee on hand, 9l9 Isl balance on hand April 18th,
S74 l,006 90.
The report was received and referred to the
Board of Managers for publication.
The chair announced that Rev. DR.. T. d. With
rspoon. of Petersburg, one OF the gentlemen who
ad been invited to address the Society, was pre-
emit.
THE address was admirably suited to the occa-
ion, and it is hoped will be published. II