The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1901-08-21

OF the year preceding by nearly $1,000, and from
egacies by $4,000, while the ret income from
the Bible House was also considerably larger. The
distribution of the Scriptures, too surpassed that of
last year, the issues in 1900 being I,4o6,SoI as
against ,554,I2S this year, marking increase of
1882 volumes.
But what seems specially deserving attention in
the reports placed in hands is:
1. The continuous and rapid development of the
work in the foreign field. While the circulation of
the scriptures in country fully main
tained reaching 5So5I3 volumes Ga larger num-
Der than the previous Year,, o736I5, sixty per
cent more, circulated in the foreign field. The
Bible Society has been prompt in reaching with the
Word OF God the benghted inhabitants of the islands
lately brought under the protection of govern
ment, and in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine
Islands the work is being vigorously prosecuted with
signal evidences OF In China despite the
interruption caused by the late troubles there the
circulation little short of that of the year pre-
vious many OF the native coporteurs, in their con
secrated zeal to give Gods Word the people, per
ishing as martyrs to the cause. In Japan, too the
work is rapidly expanding; while in other lands not
so closely connected with own missionary opera
tlons the work Is steadily going forward. We note
this as most cheering fact i'll relation the evan
gellzation of the heather and papal nations.
2 Another matter which has impressed us as
worthy of special notice in this work is the magni6-
cent opportunity now presented, through divine Pro
violence, for the distribution of Gods Word H.
Bible Societies have 1t in four hundred versions
ering all the leading languages of the earth they
are able, through the improvements in printing and
bookinakng TO provide it at the smallest cost then
agencies engirdle the earth, so that they can dis
tribute 1t with the greatest facility and the world
stand open before them with almost every outward
barrier removed and the people ready and waiting to
i,,t Il,
the Church send out Gods light and his truth TO
the nations sitting in darkness and cover the earth
with the knowledge OF the Lord this is that good day
g. third fact brought to attention is that
the only thing hinderng the large expansion
OF this fundamental work is the lack OF funds The
American Bible Socetys operations are restricted
on that account; it is unable to do nearly so large
work as the British and Foreign Bible Society be
cause the means provided it are so much smaller
The report before states that at least $4,000 2
year IS needed for the proper prosecution of the work
And now how far is Church responsible for this
holding back the word of life from those who are
perlshng without it? The contributions of our
churches as reported in the tables sent up to this
Assembly, covering both the local Bible work and
that done directly by the American Bible Society
amount to $335o.H; less than that contributed 10
any other object OF scheme of bene6cence and
averaging about and one-half cents per mem
Der. The trouble be that this cause is not
presented to our people by pastors and sessions. as
duty requires so that the ma ority of our con
gregations neglect it altogether, and many others
make but nominal contribution. Even i'm MANY of
our wealthy city churches it is almost altogether neg
Ieced Are we not seriously at fault in this natter
In view of these facts we recommend to the As
sembly the following resolutions:
o. That our pastors and churches be reminded
that the collection for the Bible Society on the third
Sabbath ~ October, some more convenient dav
is embraced in the Assembly's Scheme of Bcnef
oence, and should be regularly and faithfully at
tended to along with the other causes recognized