ANNUAL REPORT SOUTH FUKIEN RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. of the

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT of the SOUTH FUKIEN RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 1941

2 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE FOR 1941 PRESIDENT Miss K. R. Green SECRETARY & TREASURER Rev. A. F. Griffiths COMMITTEE Mrs. W. R. Angus Miss E. K. Beekman Miss B. C. Chiu Miss P. H. Liu Miss J. M. Nienhuis Mrs. T. V. Oltman Miss D. Pearce Mr. S. G. Shen Mr. R. Tully Miss R. Broekema (Co-opted) Rev. W. R. Angus (Co-opted)

3 ( 3 ) CONSTITUTION I. NAME.-This Society shall be called the "South Fukien Religious Tract Society," and its headquarters shall be at Amoy. II. Ol3J"ECT.-The object of the Society shall be the publication and circulation of books and tracts, prepared on the same principles as those of the Religious Tract Society of London or the American Tract Society. III. MEMBERSHrP.-Any person interested in and willing to further the object of the Society, and recommended by the Committee may! on application through the Secretary and by payment of an annual subscription of FIVE DOLLARS or more, become a member of the Society. Friends, not resident in South Fukien, willing to further the object of the Society may, on payment of a subscription of FIFTY DOLLARS and upwards, become Life Members. IV. OFFICERS.-The officers of the Society shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually. V. ExgcU'l'IVE.-The business of the Society shall be conducted by an Executive Committee which shall consist of the officers and six other members elected at the annual meeting. This committee shall have power to fill vacancies in its membership during the year. It shall meet when necessary for the transaction of business, four to form a quorum. VI. ANNUAL MEEtrING.-The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held at Amoy before the 31st. of January of each year. At the Annual Meeting a report of the year's

4 ( 4 ) working of the Society shall be presented for adoption together with a statement of accounts; and the officers and Committee for the ensuing year shall be elected. Should fewer than fifteen members be present any matters decided must have the support of three-quarters of the members present. GENERAL MEETINGS may be held at other time~ when business requires, a quorum at these meetings shall consist of one-third of the total membership present in South Fukien. VII.. PUBUCA1'IONS.-All books and tracts published by the Society must first be submitted to the Executive Committee for examination, and no tract or book shall be adopted which is not approved by a majority of the Committee. Nothing relating to denominational controversy shall be published by ~his Society. VIII. SALES and GRAN1'S.-The price of books and tracts shall be fixed by the Executive Committee. Persons ordering the Society's publications from the secretary or the book depot shall be responsible for the payment of the catalogue value of the same. Requests for free grants or discounts must be referred to the Executive Committee. IX. SUBSCRIPTIONS.-The Treasurer shall be authorized to solicit subscriptions on behalf of the funds of the Society. X. REPORT and CATALOGUE.-A Catalogue and Annual Report shall be printed and circulated. XI. AMENDMENTS.-Changes in the Society's Constitution can be made only at an Annual or General meeting by two-thirds vote of the total membership in South Fukien, and provided that one month's previous notice has been given. Members unable to attend may send their votes to the Secretary.

5 5 ) SOUTH FUKIEN RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY Thirty-third Annual Report It is with deep thankfulness to God that the Committee presents this Report of another year of work in the provision of Bibles and Christian literature to the many Church centres in South Fukien, in the midst of continued difficulties owing to war conditions. The work has not only been maintained, but substantial increases in sales and circulation must be recorded. Once again the sales of Bibles and Testaments are higher than in any previous year in our history, though the cost of production has at least doubled all prices during the past twelve nlonths. The Bookshop Staff have had to face many difficulties. hut the work has been faithfully carried out by Mr. E. K. Chng and his assistant, Mr. Peter Lim. Mr. Chng's Depot main task has been once again the keeping of stock and accounts, and this has been done in a most careful and efficient manner. Distribution problems have added greatly to the work of the staff, and Mr. Lim especially has shown considerable initiative and resource in solving them, undertaking cheerfully all the extra work involved. Weare very grateful to those responsible for branch bookshops upcountry, especially in Tungan, Changchow, Chuanchow, H weian, Yungchun, and Kimchi for their patience and co-operation in the work of distribution, and to the Hope Hospital, Kulangsu, for the use of their motor boat in carrying packages to the mainland. The boat is our main life-line, without which it would be impossible to carry on. There have sometimes been delays and mistakes, and for

6 ( 6 ) these we tender our apologies, but in view of the present difficulties of communication it is Inatter for wonder that so much has been accomplished by our small staff. The following table gives the sales Sales and Circulation. and circulation of Bibles, portions, books and tracts: 1. Bibles Mandarin Wenli Romanised English... 5, , New Testaments Mandarin Romanised English... Chinese-English 3. Portions Mandarin Chinese-English N. T. & Psalms, Mandarin N. T. & Psalms, Chinese-English... Psalms, Romanised 1, , ,318 1, S. F. R. T. S. Publications (a) Romanised (b) Character , , Books Sold on Commission (privately owned) (a) Romanised 416 (b) Character

7 ( 7 ) 6. Books Published in Formosa Books Published by other Societies , Evangelistic Tracts & Booklets... 54, Calendars & Pictures , Dictionaries Commentaries Sunday School Lessons & Daily Readings Romanised-Character 5, , Amoy Church News (Seng Hoe Po) Romanised & Character, monthly Owing to cost of production no new books have been published during the year, though given increased resources several new works could be issued with great Printing advantage. When the reserve Printing Fund for the publication of new works has grown sufficiently we shall be able to go forward with the printing of several books which are already in preparation. The Printing Fund is gradually growing, as will be seen in the Financia1 Statement. We are very grateful to the Reformed Church in America Mission and to the London Mission, and to those individuals who have subscribed to this Fund. May we commend it once again to the generosity of our supporters, so that new books may be quickly added to our shelves. The re-printing of the Romanised and the small Character Hymnals has been completed, and a new edition of the large Character Hymnal has been delivered and is now on sale. Our stock of the "Peh-oe Ji-bu" has been replenished by the printing of 10,000 copies. and 3,000 "Iu-ti Kho-pun"

8 ( 8 ) have been added to stock during the year. The "Daily Bible Readings" for 1941, in Romanised and Character have been prepared and 5,000 printed as in previons years. The "Seng Hoe Po" was run during the year at a considerable financial loss, though it has developed a great deal in usefulness Amoy Church News (Seng Hoe Po) under the able editorship of Mr. S. G. Shen and Mr. S. H. Ho. to whom our gratitude is due for their labours. The paper has been issued this year monthly instead of bi-monthly, in Character and Romanised, and meets a felt need. May we appeal once again for literary contributions, and above all for local Church news to be sent in regularly to the Editors. Owing to the increased cost of production we are forced to double the subscription for 1941 to.80 for the year. This is still ridiculously low, and our missionaries can help by pushing the circulation wherever possible. The Financial Statement submitted in this Report shows a successful year's trading in spite of greatly increased prices. Comparison with former years is difficult, since Finance the sums involved are so much larger, but the total volume of sales is considerably more than last year. The general increase is partly due to the fact that more stations on the mainland are buying through us and availing themselves of our services. This is very satisfactory, and we hope to be able still further to develop this cooperative service to our mutual advantage. The increase in the sale of Bibles, however, is only partly accounted for by this development. There is at present an intense desire to study the Scriptures, creating a demand which the Bible Societies find it almost impossible to supply. Our own sale'

9 ( 9 ) of Mandarin New Testaments, for example, has more than trebled during the year. The Committee is grateful for the loyal support given by the members of the Society. Once again the Membership Roll shows an increase, and the amount subscribed is a new record in our history: $ as against $ last year. That we are able to close the year with the small credit balance of $ is partly due to this continued generosity. We look forward to the New Year with confidence in Him, Whose guiding hand we can trace with gratitude in all the work of the past thirty~three years. Especially in these times we are conscious that we can go forward only in complete reliance on our Heavenly Father. The work of circulating the Scriptures is His work, and we are called to redouble our efforts in meeting the need of our fellows in these troubled times for the eternal Word of God. Kulangsu, Anwyl January 21, On behalf of the Committee, A. F. Griffiths Secretary

10 ( 10 ) List of Members and Subscriptions for 1940 A. Ordinary Members Rev. R. Mobbs... $16.75 Miss N. Wheeler, Rev. Frank Eckerson... o Miss Margaret Fraser, Dr. & Mrs. T. V. Oltman, Mr. & Mrs. S. E. Ting Rev. & Mrs. N. B. Slater Miss J. M. Nienhuis Mr. A. K. Forsyth Miss K. M. Duncan Miss Margaret Clarke Mrs. W. W. Jett Miss I. P. Read Dr. F. C. Read Rev. H. A. Poppen Miss G. E. Hewett Mrs. D. V. Fenwick Miss Tena Holkeboer Rev. W. Develder Rev. & Mrs. E. W. Koeppe Miss S. D. Keningale Mr. & Mrs. S. G. Shen Miss K. R. Green Miss I>aisy Pearce ' Miss Jeannette Veldman Miss L. van der Linden Miss E K. Beekman Mr. C. I. yang

11 ( 11 ) Miss A. E. Lindsay.... Mr. &1 Mrs. Peter Anderson.... Rev. &1 Mrs. F. K. Balchin.... Rev. &1 Mrs. L. G. Phillips..... Mr. &1 Mrs. Robert Tully.... Miss Ruth Broekema.... Rev. H. J. Voskuil.... Dr. &1 Mrs. D. J. Harman..... Rev. &1 Mrs. A. F. Griffiths..... Mr. &1 Mrs, H. J. P. Anderson.... Miss D. M. Arrowsmith Rev. I. R. M. Latto..... Rev. &1 Mrs. W. R. Angus..... Miss B. C. Chiu..... Dr. &1 Mrs. C. H. Holleman.... Rev. William Short.... Miss J. P. McKay..... Mr. R. A. Rogers.... Dr. David Landsborough.... Dr. Norman Tunnell $ Received after audit, Miss G. C. Smies B. Honorary Members Rev. H. P. Boot Dr. Charles R. Erdman Miss L. N. Duryee $107.65

12 ( 12 ) GENERAL To Debit balance... $ " Salaries " Light " Printing Report :69 " Discount on sales " Municipal Taxes " Printing " Refund, Sales on Commission " Purchase of stock " Miscellaneous " Seng Hoe Po " Credit 'balance $ TRIAL To Property Project $ " Superannuation Fund " Printing Fund " Credit balance $ BALANCE SHEET PROPERTY To Balance carried forward $

13 ACCOUNT ( 13 ) By Seng Hoe Po... $ " Membership Subscriptions (Regular} " Membership Subscriptions (Honorary) " Sales on account " Cash Sales " Commission on Sales BALANCE $ By F /D Property Project... $ " F /D Superannuation Fund " Current account balance PROJECT $ By Balance carried forward $ " Interest F /D $

14 ( 14 ) SUPERANNUATION To Balance carried forward $ PRINTING To Balance carried forward $ Audited and found correct, E. W Koeppe January 18, 1941 STOCK IN HAND Bibles $ S. F- R. T. S. Publications Books Sold on Commission Books Printed in Formosa Books of Other Societies $

15 ( 15 ) FUND By Bala.nce carried forward I' Society's contribution " Mr. Chng's contribution " Interest F /D $ FUND By Balance carried forward $ " "A Friend" per Miss J. Veldman " Miss M. Fraser " Miss D. M. Arrowsmith " R. C. A. Mission " London Mission Respectfully submitted, A. F. Griffith Treasurer. $

16 ( 16 ) ANNUAL MEETING The thirty-third Annual meeting of the South Fukien Religious Tract Society was held in Union Church, Kulangsu, on Monday, January 20th 1941 at 5.00 p.m. The President, Miss D. M. Arrowsmith, took the Chair and opened the meeting with a brief devotional service. The following members were present: Miss D. M. Arrowsmith (President) Miss N. E. Arrowsmith, Miss E. K. Beekman, Miss R. Broekema, Miss E. G. Bruce, Miss K. R. Green, Mrs. C. H. Holleman, Mrs. E. W. Koeppe, Miss P. H. Liu, Miss J. M. Nienhuis. Miss D. Pearce, Miss G. C. Smies, Miss J. Veldman. Mr. R. Tully, Dr. & rs. T. V. Oltman, Rev. W. Short, Rev. H. J. Voskuil, Rev. A. F. Griffiths (Secretary) The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on January 24th 1940, were read and confirmed. The Secretary read the Report of the Committee for Dr. T. V. Oltman proposed and Miss J. M. Nienhuis seconded, and it was carried unanimously, that the Report be adopted, printed and circulated. The Treasurer presented the Financial Statement for the year ending December 31st 1940, and pointed out that it had only been possible to close the year with a small credit balance by exercising the most rigid economy in printing. Mrs. T. V. Oltman proposed and Miss K. R. Green seconded, that the ~inancial Statement be adopted, printed and circulated. This was carried unanimously.

17 ( 17 ) A brief discussion followed on various matters connected with the work of the Society. It was agreed that further efforts should be made to increase the circulation of the "Seng Hoe Po" by an advertising campaign from the Depot, and by more strenuous efforts on the part of missionaries to introduce it to Church Members. A Committee and Office-bearers for 1941 were elected as follows: President Miss K. R. Green Secretary & Treasurer Rev. A. F. Griffiths Committee Mrs. W. R. Angus Miss E. K. Beekman Miss B. C. Chiu Miss P. H. Liu Miss J. M. Nienhuis Mrs. T. V. Oltman Miss D. Pearce Mr. S. G. Shen Mr. R. Tully Co-opted members Miss R. Broekema Rev. W. R. Angus The meeting was closed with prayer by the Rev. W. Short. A. F. Griffiths Secretary.

18 _..._ Herewith I enclose....._... being my subscription to the South Fukien Religious Tract Society for 194 To the Secretary, SOUTH FUKIEN RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, AMOY

19 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1111I1~11Il~1 ~llill ~Ilf 1I l1l~ I111111l1 II

20 PRINTED BY THE ZIH ZUNG PRESS. SHANGHAJ 1941