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Annual Meetings of Auxiliary Societies:- their necessity and advantages.

It will be perceived, by the specimens, that all the books and papers are so constructed, as to give as little trouble to the Officers and Committee as is consistent with regularity and accuracy in the accounts.

The advantage of printed forms is obvious, not only as they tend to facilitate the business and diminish the risk of error, but as they are more carefully preserved than loose memoranda. The expense attending these forms does not exceed that of good writing paper.

This appears to be the most suitable place to introduce the Order of Proceedings at the Annual Meetings of Auxiliary Bible Societies, and such observations connected with the subject as experience has suggested, in addition to the remarks already submitted in the 8th division of Section XIV. Chapter I.

1. "As a general principle," says a judicious writer, "it will be allowed that an Anniversary Meeting of a charitable society, to inspect the accounts and to choose officers for the ensuing year, &c. is absolutely requisite, in order to prevent abuses, and to satisfy the subscribers of the due appropriation of their bounty. I doubt, however, whether the members of our charitable societies could ever be brought together, merely to hear a report and attest proceedings which they can afterwards read over in print."

An interest must be excited and maintained; but this should be effected in a manner consistent with Christian simplicity; [and it is highly gratifying to perceive, that a desire to render our festivals of benevolence all that they ought to be, 'is increasingly manifested both by the speakers and the members at large.

"The spirit displayed," observes the same writer, "is sober, yet cheerful -animated, yet rational-grateful for the past, and hopeful for the futurein a word, as far as earth may approach to heaven, a spirit imitative of those celestial beings whose matin song, on the day of the Nativity, was 6 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men.””

The collateral benefits which result from these meetings are numerous and important:

"The mind becomes stimulated to new and more healthy action in the cause of God and man; the social and benevolent feelings are excited; the importance of Eternal things becomes more fixed upon the heart; a spirit of prayer is cherished and increased; and from hearing what is our

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See an admirable paper, entitled, "Beneficial effects of Meetings of Charitable Societies," in that excellent periodical work, "The Christian Observer for July 1818, and a judicious letter signed S. N. in the same publication for April 1820.

Alterations suggested in the mode of conducting Annual Meetings.

duty at a time when the mind is particularly affected and impressed, a more permanent and active desire is often excited for its performance. It is almost impossible for an individual to plead the cause of this society, without feeling himself in some measure excited to be and to do what he describes ; and it cannot be doubted that many holy resolutions have been formed on these occasions, which may have materially affected the future life. If there were no other advantage connected with the system, it would be an important one, that the members, and especially the committee of a society, are animated to begin another year with diligence and hope. Few men can labour long and zealously in complete retirement and shade; the stimulus of social feeling is often necessary to animate the heart, and recruit the exhausted powers. Subscribers, also, soon become uninterested, and gradually drop off, without this occasional excitement: so that, as long as the excitement does not exceed the bounds of sobriety, and remains duly regulated by piety and discretion, it is rather to be encouraged than repressed."

2. But it is worthy of serious consideration, whether these and the other advantages derived from our public meetings may not be strengthened and extended, rather than impaired, by a little alteration in the mode of conducting them ;whether, instead of the customary votes of thanks, the resolutions may not be so framed, as to recognise principles and practice rather than men, and express the opinion of the meeting upon the past prosperity and opening prospects of the society whose objects it is convened to promote. It is respectfully submitted, that, by the adoption of a plan somewhat similar to the following," the addresses would be more especially confined to the main subject of the operations and efficiency of the society; and the praise of all the good effected would be more readily and cheerfully and entirely ascribed to Him alone, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed.' Every species of adulation, on occasions like these, is foreign to the production of that Christian humility by which we ought at all times to be actuated, and at variance with the genius and spirit of the Gospel of Christ."

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3. There is another branch of the subject which cannot with propriety be entirely overlooked, although it is difficult to recommend any general rule, where local circumstances and individual feeling must define the line of prudence. The time occupied by the General Meetings of Bible Societies is, in general, profitably spent; but it may be extended beyond the period which a right judgment and correct taste would prescribe. It may admit of a doubt whether this period should in any case exceed four hours; and, perhaps, if the duration of those of Auxiliary Societies and Associations were limited to three, the beneficial effects

Order of Proceedings at an Annual Meeting.

would be increased. It is evident that, in any arrangement of this kind, much will depend on the respective speakers :the length of an address, however, is usually estimated by its interest, rather than the time occupied in its delivery; but it should never be forgotten, that there is a courtesy due to the audience, as well as to those who are invited to take part in the proceedings.

4. ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION

AT THE ANNUAL MEETINGS OF AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETIES.

The President, or one of the Vice-Presidents, having been called to the Chair:

1. The Chairman will open the business of the meeting, and conclude by requesting one of the secretaries to read the Report of the Committee.

2. A. B.

3. C. D.

4. E. F.

5. G. H.

6. I.K...

7. L. M.

will read the Report, including the Treasurer's account as audited.

will move the Resolution No. 1

"That the Report now read be received, adopted, and printed under the direction of the Committee." will second the Motion No. 1.

The Chairman having put the question, will move the Resolution No 2

"That this meeting avails itself of the renewed opportunity now afforded. to express its undiminished attachment to the object and design of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and desires to congratulate the Committee of that Institution on the success of their benevolent exertions at home and abroad."

will second the Motion No. 2.

The Chairman having put the question, will move the Resolution No. 3

"That this meeting congratulates the Committees of the several Branch Societies and Associations connected with this Institution, on the progress already made towards supplying the destitute in their respective districts with the holy scriptures, and on the assistance afforded to the Parent Society in extending the same invaluable blessing throughout the world."

8. N. O.

9. P. Q.

10. R. S.

11. T. V.

12. W. X.

13. Y. Z.

14. B. A.

Branch Societies generally less productive than Auxiliaries.

15. The Chairman.

will second the Motion No. 3.

The Chairman having put the question, will move the Resolution No. 4

"That this meeting participates in the satisfaction which the success of this society, during the past year, must afford to the President, the Vice-Presidents, Officers, and Committee; and that the following gentlemen be the officers and committee for the ensuing year, with power to fill up any vacancies in their number; viz."

[Here insert the names of the Treasurer, Secretaries, and members of the Committee.]

will second the Motion No. 4.

The Chairman having put the question, will move the Resolution No. 5

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"That this meeting cordially acknowledges the kindness of those gentlemen who have attended on behalf of the Parent Society, and who have thus afforded a fresh illustration of that spirit of harmony and love which unites the various denominations of the Christian Church in this work of mercy."

will second the Motion No. 5.

The Chairman having put the question, will move the Resolution No. 6

"That this meeting aknowledges, with grateful respect, the obliging manner in which the Chairman has conducted the business of the day."

will second the Motion No. 6.

The Mover having put the question, will acknowledge the Resolution, refer to the plates for receiving contributions, and adjourn the Meeting to the day specified in the General Rules.

SECTION VI.

BRANCH BIBLE SOCIETIES-CONDUCTED BY GENTLEMEN.

1. It has been already intimated, that Auxiliary Societies are, in general, more productive and efficient than Branch Societies of the same extent; and where the population is of sufficient magnitude, and suitable patronage and officers, with an effective Committee, can be obtained, the constitution of the former may be recommended as preferable.

But there are many situations wherein it may be desirable

Rules and Regulations recommended for adoption by Branch Societies.

to establish a "Branch Society," but where it may be impracticable or inexpedient to form an "Auxiliary;" and the subject will now be considered in reference to such cases.

2. It will be recollected, that the only difference between the two establishments is this:-that an Auxiliary Society remits its funds to, and draws its supplies of Bibles and Testaments from, the Parent Institution; while a Branch Society maintains a similar connexion with the Auxiliary Society. The extent of privilege, collectively and individually, is precisely the same in both cases.

Where a Bible Association is established within the district embraced by a Branch Society, the latter possesses the same unlimited right of purchasing Bibles and Testaments at cost prices, with the funds and on account of such Association, from the depository of the Auxiliary Society, as the latter enjoys from the Parent Institution on behalf of an Association connected directly with it.

3. The following are the RULES and REGULATIONS recommended by the British and Foreign Bible Society for adoption by Branch Societies; the parenthetical additions being suggested, to render the plan more explicit :—

1. That the object and constitution of the British and Foreign Bible Society have the cordial approbation of this meeting.

2. That a society be (now) formed, to be called "The Branch Bible Society of ," for the purpose of co-operating with the British and Foreign Bible Society (through the medium of the Auxiliary Society), in promoting the distribution of the holy scriptures both at home and abroad. 3. That, conformably to the principles of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Bibles and Testaments to be circulated by this society shall be without note or comment, and those in the languages of the United Kingdom of the authorised version only.

4. That all persons subscribing one guinea per annum, or upwards, or ten guineas, or upwards, at one time, shall be members of this society.

5. That the business of this society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, Secretaries, and a Committee consisting of other members, half of whom shall be members of the Established Church; and that members of this Committee constitute

a quorum.

6. That every clergyman, or other minister, who is a member of the Society, shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeetings of the Committee. 7. That the Committee shall meet once every month, or oftener, on some day to be fixed by themselves.

8. That the Committee divide this neighbourhood into districts, and appoint two or more of their members for each district, who may associate with themselves any subscribers for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions and donations from the inhabitants thereof; and that they establish proper agents and correspondents in different parts within the limits of this Branch Society.

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