Calcutta Christian Tract & Book Society,

Transcription

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2 THE NINETY.-EIGHTH REPORT OF THE Calcutta Christian Tract & Book Society, (Incorporated) INSTITUTED IN 1823 CALCUTTA: PUBLISHED BY THE CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY 16. ELGIN ROAD, AND PRINTED AT TH~ BAPTIST MISSION PRESS

3 CALCUTTA Cbrlsttan tract and Book SOCI~tV. OFFICE-BEARERS AND COMMITTEE FOR President: THE LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA. Vice-President: PRINCIPAL J. R. BANERJEA, M.A., B.L. Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, REV. F. F. LONGMAN. Members of the Committee. PROF. S. M. BANERJEA. REV. R. C. BISWAS. PROF. S. P. BISWAS. MR. S. BOSE. REV. A. CAMERON. " N. N. CHATTERJI. MISS H. B. DAY. " M. L. EDDY. REV. B. C. GROSE. " P. KNIGHT. MISS E. G. KNOTT. REV. D. KYLES. MISS A. M. LEES. REV. D. H. MANLEY. " S. K. MONDLE. " E. T. NOAKES. MR. C. S. PATERSON. MISS E. M. PAYNE. MRS. EVA}\" REES. REV. JOHN REID. MISS J. R. TAYLOR. REV. A. WILLIFER YOUNG.

4 THE NINETy-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY was held at 23, Chowringbee Road. presiding. Principal J. R. Banerjea, M.A., The proceedings were opened with prayer, after which the report of the Hon.. Secretary and Treasurer was presented. The following resolutions were adopted. :- "That the Report now presented be adopted and printed, together with the A.udited Accounts 01 the Society for the year ending 30th Septemher, 1928." "That the following be appointed Officers and Members 01 Oommittee lor the current year." [N.B.-The names embodied in the Resolution were those printed on the preceding page.]

5 CONSTITUTION. That the Society shall be denominated "THE CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY" and that it~ design be to supply, in various languages, Tracts for distribution among the Heathen, Mohammedans and others; and Books of Christian Instruction for Schools, and for the spiritual good of professing Christians. That this Society, cordially approving of the object and the constitution of the Religious Tract Society in London, is desirous of holding friendly intercourse and co-operating with that Institution, in the circulating of Christian Books and Treatises. That all contributors to the objects of the Society shall be considered members thereof, and be entitled to vote at thf> General Meetings. That the business of the Society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a committee, consisting of at least twenty members, all of whom shall be elected annually. That the Committee for the time being shall be empowered to fill vacancies occuring during the year. In al1 elections the representative character of the Committee shall be preserved. That the Committee shall meet monthly for the despatch of business, or oftener if necessary, at a time and place appointed by themselves-five members to be a quorum. That the Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held on a date of which public notice shall be given; and at this Meeting a Report of the Committee's proceedings for the past year shall be given and officers for the ensuing year appointed.

6 THE NINETY-EIGHTH REPORT OF THE CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY, BEING THAT FOR THE YEAR END- ING 30TH SEPTEMBER, COMMITTEE'S REPORT The position described in our last Report arising from the sale of the Tract Society's property at 23; Chowringhee Road to the British and Foreign Bible Society continued practically unchanged during the greater part of last year. From informa.tion recently received from London, however; it seems likely that the legal difficulties which have hitherto stood in the way of the actual conveyance of.the property to the Bible Society will soon be removed and for this we are grateful. Meanwhile the interest on the money which is at present held in trust for the Calcutta Christian Tract and Book Society by the Incorporated British and Foreign Bible Society Association. and which is the amount paid by th~ British and Foreign Bible Society for the Calcutta Christian Tract and Book Society's share of the Calcutta property has enabled the Tract Society not only to meet its obligations to the Baptist Mission Press as its selling Agency but also to issue during the year a considerable number of useful publications. Chief perhaps amongst the books published during the year has been an improved edition of "Daily Light," the cost of which has been largely horne by a grant from the R.T.S. London. A revised and attractive edition of the" Holy War" has also been published. The translation has been thoroughly revised by the Rev. S. K. Mondol of the Methodist Episcopal Church to whom our best thanks are due. This revision has also been made possible by a grant from the Home Committee of the Religious Tract Society. Some new books in Bengali have been issued during the year. Amongst the last of these is "The Story of J"esus" by Miss C. Williams, for which, published as it is at 1 pice, we anticipate a ready sale. Several reprints of popular books in Bengali have also passed through the Press. Amongst these are "Just Balances," (a translation of a well-known Hindi book, Dharm Tula), Khush Kechcha and Tattwa Sar-this last being a short account of the Life of Christ in verse which has had a most remarkable sale.

7 COMMITTEE'S REPORT. In the Santali language during the year more work than usual h as been undertaken. We have just published" 24 Bible Stories "-a translation of a book originally prepared in Urdu for use in Mass Movement areas in the United Provinces and since then translated into several Indian languages. Two other important books in Santali are still in the Press, viz., an Old Testament History-a helpful book of which a reprint was urgently required and also a revision of the Santali Pilgrim's Progress, for which the Religious Tract Society has not on~y given a generous grant but for which they have sent us 1~000 each of 8 Copping Pictures for illustrations. The Rev. T. Lenman of the Church Missionary Society is seeing this revision through the Press. We ha. ve also continued the publication of special literature for Mos]em readers under the supervision of the Rev. L. Bevan Jones B.A., Convener of the Sub-Committee of the Christian Council of Bengal and Assam for work among Moslems. One of these books Khush Khabar (Glad Tidings) which has been for some time out of print is now again in the Press. Another volume in the Series of Commentaries by the Rev. J. M. B. Duncan B.D. viz., the volume on I and II Timothy has just been issued. In order to make available these very useful Commentaries to a wider circle of readers it has been decided to offer, from January to June 1929, Commentaries to the value of Rs. 10 for the small sum of Rs.2. Mention should also be made of a valuable gift received during the past year from the R.T.S. London! at the suggestion of the Rev. J. M. B. Duncan, of 5,000 each of 16 Copping Pictures. These pictures 80,000 in all were sent out with blank pages for letter-press in Bengali. A certain number have been made into booklets of 16 pictures each and are being sold at 2 annas a booklet. We are greatly indebted both to the R.T.S. London and to Mr. Duncan for this beautiful gift.

8 COMMITTEE'S REPORT. It will be remembered that during 1927 a Prize Competition in original Bengali literature was arranged for and duly advertised. In connection with this scheme prizes aggregating Rs. 1,000 were offered for original compositions on various flu bjects. About 30 MSS. of different sizes, both on Theological and general subjects, have been sent in. These MSS. are still under examination an& it will be Slome time yet before any results can be announced.

9 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS received from 1 st October, J 927 to 30th September, Grants from Missions:- Rs. A. P. The American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society per Rev. E. C. Brush Personal :- THE LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA- (For and ) Mercantile :- Messrs. Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co. Messrs. Mackintosh Burn & Co., Ld

10 Vernacular Books and Tracts received into the Depository from 1 st October, 1927 to 30th September, BOOKS NEW PUBLICATIONS. BENGALI- Clayton's Graded Bible -Lessons, Part III Story of Jesus MUSSALMANI-BENGALI- Sachha Dost (The Best Friend) MUSSALMANI -TRAcTs- Jesus reveals the Heart of God God looks upon the Heart Jesus and the teaching of Moses Religious Duties BENGALI-TRAcTS- R. T. S. Picture Tracts BOOKS. REPRINTS. BENGALI Chandra Lila Tatwashar Just Balances Jibon Sangit, Part I Jibon Sangit, Part II My Own Story.. Daily Light (Morning and Evening) MUSSALMANI-BENGALI- Khush Keccha Sweet First Fruits BENGALI-TRACTS The Best Life New Birth What to reply Who is Jesus BOOKS IN PRESS. The Holy War in Bengali 24 Bible Stories in Santali Old Testament History in Santali. Pilgrim's Progress Part I in Santali. Khush Khabar in Muss. Bengali ,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 (Now Completed) dit.to

11 CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY Balance Sheet as at 30th September, LIABILITIES. Rs. A. P. GENERAL BALANOE- As per last account 1,12, Profit for the year B. & F. BIBLE SOCIETY- Cash in advance in respect of purchase of Freehold Property SUNDRY CREDITORS- Audit Fee Rs. A. P. 1,12, ,04, ASSETS. FREEHOLD PROPERTY FURNITURE INVESTMENTS at market value Rs. 5,500/- 3!% Government Papers SPECIAL INVESTMENT- 3!% Government Papers Re. 1,34,500/- at cost STOCK OF PUBLIOATIONS- Ae per Baptist Mission Press' valuation CASH- With Ohartered Bank oj India, A UBtralia and Ohina. General Account Publication Account.. Rs. A. P. Re. A. P , , , ,04, , ,953 7 TOTAL 2,16, TOTAL 2,16, CALOUTTA, 14th December, Examined and found correct. LOVELOCK & LEWES~ Ohartered Accountants.

12 CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY Trading Account lor the year ended 30th September, To STOOK AS AT 1ST OOTOBER, C.T.S. Own Publications 5 " Miscellaneous Vernacular.... " PUBLIOATIONS "LANDING AND CLEARING CHARGES " BINDING CHARGES " FORWARDING CHARGES TOTAL Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. 2lJ, , , By SALES- Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. C. T.S. Own Publications Miscellaneous Vernacular 3, , STOCK ON 30TH SEP'I'EMBER, C.T.S. Own Publications.. 25, Miscellaneous Vernacular 2, , " Loss FOR THE YEAR TRANSFER RED '1.'0 PROFIT AND Loss ACCOUNT TOTAL 1, ,

13 CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY~ Profit and L088 Account for the year ended 30th September, L: Re. A. P. To SALES AGENOY (Twelve months) 3, OFFIOE EXPENSES " PETTY PRINTING CHARGES " STATIONERY CHARGES " PENSIONS "LEGAL EXPENSES (Morgan & Co.) " AUDIT FEE " DEPREOIATION ON INVESTMENT " SUNDRY GRANTS " Loss AS PER TRADING AOOOUNT " NETr PROFIT TRANSFERRED TO GENERAL AOOOUNT Rs. A. P. By SUBSORIPTIONS AND DONATIONS " GRANT FROM NATIONAL CHRIS. TIAN COUNOIL INDIAN LITER- ATURE FUND 3, I' INTEREST ON INVESTMENT, etc , Re. A. P. Re. A. P , TOTAL 6, TOTAL 6,