A large gathering of members, friends and supporters of the Trinitarian Bible Society met in Westminster Chapel, London, on Saturday, 10th June for the Society’s Annual General Meeting. After Rev. John Shearer of Nuffield preached, several reports were presented to the meeting. Some extracts from the first of these reports, that by Mr D. P. Rowland, the General Secretary, are given below.
“IN RECORDING the activities of the Society during 1994 in this, the 164th Annual Report, we desire to ascribe all praise, honour and glory to Almighty God for the inestimable treasure of the Holy Scriptures that He in His infinite wisdom and grace has been pleased to give unto mankind, and for the provision, guidance and encouragement granted to the Society during its long history of publishing and distributing the Divine Word. Especially, we acknowledge with profound thankfulness the Lord’s remarkable provision for the work of the Society during the year.”
In referring to the purchase and refurbishment of their new premises, Tyndale House, he acknowledged “the Lord’s goodness in so ordering His providence that the whole of the removal process, including the sale of 215/217 Kingston Road, was completed within a twelve months period.”
In dealing with the circulation of the Scriptures, he said that in the Lord’s goodness the Society was enabled to distribute more than 431,000 Bibles and 138,000 New Testaments during the year. In addition, more than 157,000 Bibles and 4,676,000 New Testaments were distributed under royalty arrangements. The total number of Scriptures published during the year was in excess 7,863,000. These Scriptures were published in more than 37 languages and distributed in 118 different countries.
More than 1.6 million items of Scripture (including 45,000 Bibles, 24,000 New Testaments and 800,000 Golden Thoughts Calendars) were distributed free of charge. Their value totalled £317,174 including costs of distribution. A considerable proportion of the Society’s resources were also used to supply many thousands of Bibles, New Testaments and other Scripture items at subsidized prices. These were primarily supplied to countries where it is difficult for the people to purchase Bibles at the full retail price.
“Whilst it is very humbling to realise that someone in the world is receiving a copy of the Bible bearing the name of the Society every minute of every day of the year,” said Mr Rowland, “we are not so concerned with statistics as we are to follow with prayerful interest the copies of God’s Word that are placed in the hands of men, women, boys and girls throughout the world.”
With regard to finance, the income of the Society during the year amounted to £1,930,756, of which £726,116 came from gifts, including legacies. The Society’s total expenditure totalled £1,837,874, of which the cost of the Scriptures sold and granted was £1,123,347.
The Report then deals with editorial and distribution work.
With regard to English language scriptures, it notes that many Christians, living in countries where English is not the native tongue and where standards of education are rudimentary, continue to appreciate the Authorised Version of the Bible for its accuracy of translation and theological fidelity. Letters have been received by the Society from countries in Eastern Europe and Africa, India, China and elsewhere telling of how the writers prefer the Authorised Version of the Bible to the less literal translations available to them in their own languages.
More than 1.7 million Scripture items, including just less than 156,000 Bibles in the Authorised Version, were distributed throughout the English-speaking world. Many auxiliaries, supporting churches and other friends of the Society have been encouraged by the wonderful openings they have found for the placing of Bibles in schools, old people’s homes and other institutions. Many appreciative letters have come from recipients.
With regard to European language Scriptures, the Society has been greatly encouraged by the reception given to its Portuguese Bible published early in 1994. More than 130,000 copies were distributed during the year for circulation in Brazil, with copies also going to Portugal, Mozambique and other areas of the world where the Portuguese language is spoken.
“The Society’s members and friends will rejoice with us,” said Mr Rowland, “that after over twenty years of preparation this Bible is now being so widely circulated. May the Lord’s rich blessing continue to rest upon it that it may prove to be the means of much spiritual light and life to Portuguese speakers throughout the world. Gideons International have continued to use the Society’s edition of the Portuguese New Testament for their work in Brazil and during the year published just under 4.6 million copies under a royalty agreement with the Society.”
Under royalty agreements with other distributors, more than 157,000 Spanish Bibles were printed for distribution primarily among the Spanish-speaking peoples of Central and South America.
With regard to Scriptures in non-European languages, The Society has distributed editions in Afrikaans, Arabic, Chad Arabic, Fila, Gio, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Kabyle, Kashmiri, Kikaonde, Kisanga, Lisu, Malayalam, Ndebele, Pokot, Simte, Tamil, Telugu, Xhosa and Yoruba during 1994. “Although complete Bibles and New Testaments are not available in many of these languages,” Mr Rowland added, “and in some of these languages the quantities of Scripture items circulated were very few, it is nevertheless encouraging to be in a position to supply a Gospel, a Scripture Calendar or other Scripture item when the opportunity arises, knowing that the Lord is able to use even the smallest portion of His Word to the glory of His Name and the furtherance of His Kingdom.”
Editorial Work continues on preparing new translations and revisions of the Holy Scriptures for publication by the Society. Many of these translations and revisions have been in the course of preparation for a number of years. Those engaged in the work would appreciate the prayers of the Lord’s people.
In thanking members, supporters and staff, he said, “One of the Society’s strengths over the years has been the prayerful support of its members and friends, and we take this opportunity again of thanking individuals, churches and auxiliaries throughout the world for remembering the work of the Society on a regular basis at the Throne of Grace.”
He also said that although the Society’s practice is not to appeal for funds, this is not because it does not need a substantial income to maintain and extend its work. (The total expenditure on the publishing and distribution of the Holy Scriptures by the Society in 1994 averaged out at a cost of more than £1,000 per working hour). Rather, the Society believes that its friends will be inclined by the Lord to provide, as they are able, for the work. During 1994 the Society has once again been deeply conscious of the faithfulness of the Lord in providing through His people all its needs, and it thanks Churches and congregations for making regular reference to the Society in their public prayers and meetings.
“It is appreciated that in one very public area of the work the Society is understaffed,” he continued. “There are areas of the United Kingdom (especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland) which are not adequately covered by speakers and it is therefore hoped that, in the providence of the Lord, it will be possible to employ suitable men to add to the number of those who speak on the behalf of the Society to supporting churches.”
In speaking about the Committee, he said that “because of continuing ill health, Mr A. J. Levell resigned from being President of the Society at the close of the year. Following eleven years as Chairman of the Committee, Mr Levell has continued his active interest in the Society as President and until his illness attended most meetings of the Committee. Mr Levell has kindly agreed to continue his association with the Society as a Vice-President.
“Sadly, in January 1995 the Rev D. B. Macleod passed away. Mr Macleod had joined the Committee of the Society in 1962 and has been a Vice-President since 1974. His prayerful association, support and practical endeavours to further the interests of the Society in Scotland and elsewhere were greatly valued. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved family… The Rev K.M. Watkins, the minister of the London congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, was recently invited to join the Committee and has kindly agreed to serve the Society in this capacity. The Committee will value your continued prayers.”
In concluding, Mr Rowland said, “Whilst the world remains and any of our fellow-beings have not in their hands Protestant or uncorrupted translations of the Holy Scriptures, there will be a need for the work and witness of the Society. Vast numbers are without a Bible or even a portion of the Holy Scriptures in their own language. Many languages only have Bibles that are based on a defective form of the Hebrew and Greek texts. Some languages only have translations that are plagued with erroneous notes whilst other languages only have Bibles available in a ‘story book’ form. An appreciation of the Bible as the divine volume of absolute truth given by inspiration of God is that which is largely lacking among peoples denominated Christian…
“Indeed, wherever in the world one looks there is a desperate need for sound versions of the Word of God to be translated, published and distributed prayerfully. In our day, professed atheism and false religions abound. Roman Catholicism, Islam and numerous other evil systems of man-made religion appear to be on the ascendancy. There is a need in our day for a clear, distinctive, uncompromising and unashamed testimony to the uniqueness, the Divine inspiration and the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures. The world, being in a chaotic state with all its false philosophies and consequent God-dishonouring beliefs and practice, needs the Word of God in all its glory and purity. It needs faithful and reliable translations of the Word of God. It needs godly and valiant preachers of the whole counsel of God. Above all, it needs the Lord to arise in His mercy to grant the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit to attend His Word, that sinners throughout the world will be brought to humble themselves before the Most High God. May the people of God continue to beseech Him at the Throne of Grace, echoing the prayer of the Psalmist, ‘And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen’ (Psalm 72:19).
“May the Society’s prayerful desire, expressed by the words, ‘The Word of God among all nations’, be more fully accomplished in the future. The prayers of the Society’s members and friends of the Lord’s guidance and overruling will be greatly valued.”