The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-21

societies cooperating with the American Bible society, giving the home agencies of the society a total distribution of 2ooS,6o5 for the year. In 1916 there were 2,l00.OO0 copies of the scriptures circu- lated in the United States, having been supplied or printed by the American Bible society. The increase in circulation in China in 1916 over 1915 amounts to about 3O,OO0, and the society is encouraged to believe that it's total circulation abroad will show an increase in 1916 over 1915. If this be true, the total circulation for the 101 years of it's history will amount to total of not less than 10000, 600 at home and abroad.
 SOLDIERS OF EUROPE
 During the present war the society has distributed among the soldiers in Europe about 750,O00 copies of the scriptures, chiefly New Testaments. and among the soldiers that were mobilized on the Mex ican border, it distributed about 100,vW.
 The budget of expenditures and ap- propriations of the society for the present year has been estimated at S643,39S. The receipts from all sources for the work of the society during the year 1915 amounted to s190,65S, and during 1916 these receipts amounted to $250,S51
 The report calls special attention to tiiC ldSt tHdt tiic oOulIcIll IIcSpy lClttH church has always shown the liveliest interest in the work of the society, but that during last year the total amount reported from this church was only $915, and that of the 33S3 churches on the roll of the general assembly 1898 reported no contribution to the society during the year, the church as a whole thus falling short of the minimum contribution of 1 per cent as fixed by the assembly,
 In its conclusion, the report recom- mends that the general assembly ap- prove the plan of the society for ncreas- ing it's endowment by $5,OOO, 900, and its an- nual increase from the churches to at least s250000, and that it appeal to South ern Presbyterians to make special con tributions to the emergency fund of $15O,- 000 which the society is raising at this time.
 It recommends also that in view of the claims and importance of the society, the permanent committee on the Bible cause be directed to arrange for suit able service to be held on Sunday evening of the next assembly in the interest of the society, and that the docket be ar ranged accordingly.
 The Rev. M B. Porter, D. D., of Rich mond, Va, is chairman of the perma- nent committee on Bible cause. Dr. Por- ter is secretary of the South Atlantic agency of the American Bible society.
 WOMAN'S AUXILIARY
 The report of Mrs. w. c. Winsborough, superintendent of the womans auxiliary of the church for the past year, which will be submitted to the assembly will show that in every department of their work the women have made marked prog ress during the past year. The woman's auxiliary has been organized only five 1s-.ks ~&o% I~-~~ ~.-k~. AL church, and during these years the ac- complishment of the women have far sur passed any that was achieved in many years prior to that time. The secre- taries of the four executive committees of the assembly constitute the super visory committee of the auxiliary.
 Of special interest in connection with the work of the auxiliary is the admirable executive ability that has been shown in the management of the expenses of the superintendent's office.
 Three years ago the supervisory com mittee assumed the expenses of the of flee of the superintendent and outlined a tentative budget of $600v 70 the expenses of the office. An accurate and itemiZed report has been rendered to the commit- tee each year since it assumed this ex- pense and each year the report placed in the hands of public auditor has been approved for its accuracy and neat ness.
 Each year the constituency which the auxiliary serves has increased, the in- crease in the three years amounting to more than 4000 members and the amount of literature handled and the number of letters written has been multiplied many times Notwithstanding these facts and the facts additional that during last year the increase in the cost of paper and printing an increase in office salaries amounting to $300, and the necessity of the purchase of office equipment and an increase in the amount of travel upon the part of the superintendent, there was no increase necessary in the budget pro- vided for the expense of the office. The necessity for this increase was avoided by careful economy in the office and by the judicious handling of the sale of literature issued from the office. As result, all expenses of the office have Teen met and each year has been closed with small balance on hand,
 INCREASED MEMBERSHIP
 ,Tha ,,,,r,hor~ of rneY,,ber in the a,ixilia rv