Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-01
DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES.
SOMETHING OF THE WORk no
BE DONE IN saw AMMAN.

The Mass Meeting at the Independent
Presbyteri IN Church Last NiCh'-Ad-
dress by the District superintendent OF
the American Bible society-Fhe sa-
vannsh Society ReOrG I
Church Services.
Nearly all of the city churches suspended
services last night so as to allow their
congregations to attend the mass meeting
at the Independent Presbyterian church
In the interests of the Savannah Bible
Society. The members OF the various con-
gregatiOns turned out we'll and the church
was crowded.
The meeting was opened by Rev.
/. 5. K. Arson, who on behalf OF
his church extended a cordial vel
come TO all denominations. He
spoke briefly OF the i'm portance Of having
the Bible distributed among the destitute
classes aud the great good that would re-
suit from such work. He read the re-
port OF Col. Charles II. Olmstead, Secre-
tary of the society, in which vas briefly
set forth the workings Of the society and
what it has done in the past. The society
was organized several years before the
war, and con adorable work was accom-
lliehed. During the war 10 langulshed
aud virtually went out Of existence. On
July IS, 1885, the society was reOrgRn-
lied on an independent basis and
new board of officers was elected.
Since then canvasses Of the CITY have
been repeatedly made by Rev. Richard
webb, Rev. W. A. Jones and other agents
lof the society TO ascertain the destitute
families in which the Bible could b.
placed. At present several OF the Offices
Of the society are vacant either through
death or removal from the city. 1t was
to I'LL these offices and TO thoroughly reOr-
gRniZe the society that the meeting was
held last night.
Rev. Fl. p. Myers. District Superintend-
emit of the American Bible Society for
Georgia. addressed the meeting, and urged
the necessity OF Bible distribution among
the poor and destitute CLASSES. The re-
sponsibility of aiding in the work, he said,
rests upon every church member.
the uperntendent gave some facts and
figures concerning the history OF the
American Bible Society, showing the
magnitude Of it's work and the immense
amount OF good 1t has accomplished
The society was organized in 1916.
In that year there were only $40
Bibles issued by the society. Since that
time the mum Der has increased until In
the past year there were 1,545. 175 Bibles
Issued and distributed. These were
distributed not only among the poor and
destitute families OF the United States,
but throughout almost every country in
the world.
In Georgia, he stated, the society eX-
pended during last year SO, 59S 3d. and it
received from the State but S46S -. Peo-
pie, he said, labor under the mistaken
idea that the society has all the money it
wants, and that it needs no help. During
last year the fixed expenses were S279,-
953 IL, and trade receipts were but $272,-
212 80.
At the conclusion of his remarks a col
lection was taken up in the interest of the
savannah Bible Society, and quite sum
was raised. Before adjourning an cleo
ton for officers of the society was held,
and resulted as follows:
President-DT. |. $. Il. Arson.
Vice President-Dr. w. 5. Bowman.
Secretary-Col. Charles II. Olmstead.
TreasuTer-C. w. West, Esq.
DepositoTy-J. j. Prater. Secretary of
the Young Mems Christian Association.
observation-disclosures Crane, Esq, Robert
Mcintyre, ESQ, George n. Nichols, Esq,
and 5. R. Abrams, Esq.
The officers wilt meet In the lecture
room of The Baptist church at 8 O'Clock
this morning to confer with Supt. MYERS
as to the best plans TO be pursued In fully
organizing the society, and getting the
work of distribution started.