The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-10-20
9lSt ANNIVERSARY
OF The WAYNE
COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY

Report of Rev. H. G.. Harmed,
superintendent, to the Wayne Coun-
ty Bible Society at the 91st anniver-
sary held in Grace Episcopal church,
October 13, 1909:
Since the nineteenth anniversary
of the society, which was observed
by meeting held in the First Meth
odist Episcopal church of Homes
dale, Pa, on Wednesday evening,
July 15, 1908, it has become more
and more apparent that the Bible
Society, as well as other missionary
societies, has mission work to do
in the United States, as we'll as in
Foreign Countries, and the revival
of home mission work in all of the
churches has increased the demands
on the Bible Society as their helper.
The immense influx of foreigners
pouring into this country, whose
trend of thought has been so differ
ent from that which is expected of
citizens of this country, and especi-
ally Of those who have built up the
religious and civil institutions of
the United States, that the great
men, have been led to say, 1.-The
immigrant is Americas greatest
problem" and that the Bible is
the only solution
The Bible societies are endeavor-
ing to meet the demands upon them
and they are succeeding as far as
their funds will allow. County
lines cannot divide mission work.
This is especially true in Northeast
ern Pennsylvania.
Since the Northeast Department
of the State Society was instituted
comprising six counties, including
Wayne county, in little over two
years, 1890 volumes were dis
tributed in this territory. valued at
S5,3S7.34.
2,278 volumes of these were do
mated and large number of the
others were sold at cost of making
or less than cost. Many foreigners
learn the English, especially the
younger ones, and of course, the
English books are most in demand,
but of those 697 we're Italian, 2O2
Polish. III Welsh, 81 Ruthenian,
rs German, "a Russian, 2S Hungar-
ian,' "a Romanian and various num-
bers in Spanish, Bohemian, Bulgar-
ian, Slovak, Japanese, Swedish,
Greek, French, Latin, Arabic, etc.
During the past year we have
distributed 271 volumes to Wayne
county people, whom we know to be
such, but many come to us in our
office and Bible store at 1876 Wash
ington Avenue, Scranton, where we
have more than thousand dollars
worth of Bibles constantly in stock,
whom we do not know, and doubt
less, many more sold to Wayne
county customers. 1t is a good thing
to have place available where a
large stock and great variety of
Bibles can be had conveniently.
We aim to see to it that every
one is supplied with a copy of Gods
Word, whether born in America, or
any other land, even beginning at
our "own household"-our own
people. And 1t is not difficult to
believe that some of them may be,
or become, as bad as any Of the
iOl Cl6hClo, WIN COuuS W uS,-SSpeC-
tally when we take into account our
greater advantages in this country.
We supply every new mission
among the foreign people as soon
as one Is fairly organized, and keep
in touch with the missionaries and
help them supply all with Bibles.
Many of those, who read foreign
languages, come themselves and get
their books. We give a large dis
count on Oxford, International and
American Standard Revised Bibles
to churches and to Sunday schools
and to Christian Workers, gener-
ally, and donate to those who are
unable to pay for them.
We have received contributions as
follows:
First Presbyterian Church, Homes
dale, $1,000; from the M. E. churches
in Wayne county: Honesdale $40;
Ariel, $40, Carley Brook, 81, Beach
Lake, 81. Bethany, IS, Damascus
50, Hamlinton, 81, Hawley, $3.4O,
Sterling 81 South canaan go