'Sir Peter Grain presided, supported by Dr. H, Paul Douglass, Dr. T. H, Lee (Futan University). Dr. T, T. Liu, and the Revs. C. W. 'Allen, A. J.' Garnier (Secretary), and F, C. Millican, very large audience, representative of many denominations, present to hear the many interesting speeches that were do-
The proceedings were opened with a prayer'iiy the Rev, C. W. Allen, after which the Rev. A. J. Garni progress of the Society since the last meeting The Society presented fine example of ce-operation, amens Christian men and women wh? belonged to different denomination: and who held: differing theological views, he said; All were working together with no thought denominational conflict or theological dispute. It was the intention of the Society to remove Museum Road within the next six or eight months, a change of venue which would sotve to centralize its work, The Society had purchased fine piece of ground where a building was now being erected One of the best features of the new builiing, when completed, would be the} Timothy Richard Library at the top overlooking the river. The Incorporated "Association was shoaldering the heavy financial responsibility. involved in this scheme and had done $0 after carefal deliberation and with the conviction that it would greatly Denefit the Society's work.
Sir Peter Grain,, who received an ovation when he rose to deliver the presidential address, said that oe-fore he referred to the Society's work during the year he wished to express the hope that the disturbed tate of affairs recently prevailing 4n China would soon give way to an} would it the Chinese people era of peace and prosperity which
anid all concerned, directly of indirectly, with their welfare, "there have, been "hope pieeeing the clouds of doubt fand disturbance, giving rise to ex: pectations of a more settled state of affairs. But gloom has, isevitabi replaced the hope, making ma tora very diffenlt, if not actually trying, for all those working 93 "Dehalf of religion, and their supporters. There has in consequencs of only been heavy loss of life bu' falso.a great deal of damage t> Christian property—more damage than at-any other period in China's lengthy history. Extreme unhappiness must have been caused thereby to those engaged in the: spreading of the Gospel.
There does -still vappoar to be hope of ponce vand prosperity de conding on the land, despite these disappointments, when we hear of two Ten—men of great power, tellectual capacity, and honest tention—mecting each other the -announcod determination 40 decide on a mutually satisfactory method of settling the differences! cathieh have to-date torn the country apart. 1am sure all of us wise them every success in the great endeavour they have undertaken, "As regards the aljairs of the Society, you will be pleased to he that. its membership has now reached* the very, large namber of over 700, That is a very encouraging—state of affair al When it. is remembered that membership comprises re-=presentatives- of many denomina~ tions working together with a comim, including Anglicans and its, "Methodists and Presbyterious, Lutherans and Congregationalists—I don't think I could mention a quarter of the religions represented. As an aside, may T say that it has always puzzled me how there could so many denomina-ions? I thought at one time that there would not be enough differences to go round. However, I suppose itis: the: utmost wish of all present: that the'time will come when all swill be members of the same denomination -with the same objects: and manner of worship, "During the past year 93 new books have been published and the sales of books.have reached a larger figure than in any previous year. +|Last year the receipts were $25, 850,90, beating the previous record, established in 1910, of $22,192.04. That is a very handsome increase] and I think we can all congratulate ourselves for it. There is another}
/matter for congratulation in my opinion and that is: Not only has] great care been taken to preserve] the deservedly high repute of the jeontext of "C.LS. publications but} equal care has been falcon with their Jontward appearance. I-do not know how you feel about it, but I prefer to handle well-bound books rather than their vulgarly-got-up proto-pes.
"You have heard that the Society is soon to remove to new premises. I, personally, was glad to hear that [this magnificent library will be on the top floor of your new building Jwhere, in the lazy summer months, Jone etn sit and browze—or just sit, was also very pleased to see that an old favourite, Louisa M. Aleott's 'Good Wives,' one of the most popular books in the library, has of gone 10 a second edition. T do not Know whether the library also, has on its shelves 'Little Men' and 'Little Women' which I read and enjoyed a long time—say 47 years ago. And as another aside may T say that I then thought 'Little 'Men' to be the best? I still have it on my shelves at home- You also have Swiss Family Robinson, which has gone into a third edition. I read that book at least 50 years ago—all in words of one syllable, if I remember correctly—and lasting impression of it is that T could not understand how they arranged the one-syllable words nicely. I thought than that they must have resorted to some electriealyprocess to achieve the desired
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.