The third anniversary meeting of the Geelong Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Tuesday evening last, the Rev. Ebenezer Collins, President, in the chair. We regret to say that the attendance was but thin, and that the Report of the Secretary did not speak very favourably for the progress in Geelong of so very excellent an institution. An extemporary prayer having been delivered by the Rev. Francis Tuckfield, the President rose and said, that he much regretted that so poor a report of the past year's proceedings of the Society could be laid before the meeting. Other societies and other institutions had progressed in the objects they attempted, but the Bible Society appeared the only one which did not keep pace with the times. He should not anticipate the business of the evening, but would at once call upon the Secretary to read the Report.

The Rev. Andrew Love made a few introductory remarks, in which he satisfactorily showed that although the operations of the Geelong Branch of the Bible Society was of limited extent, they had nevertheless been the means of doing some good, while there was still every reason to hope and believe further benefits would result. In confirmation of his remarks, the Rev. gentleman related one very striking instance, which lately came under his notice, in which a poor bushman of the Roman Catholic persuasion had, by reading the Protestant Bible, while tending his sheep on the run, became convinced of its important and holy truths, and had called upon him for the purpose of having his child baptised, when he voluntarily handed over to him (the speaker) the sum of forty shillings as a donation to the Bible Society; the like sum for the benefit of a Missionary Society, and had subsequently given ten shillings towards the school fund of the Scotch Church.

The speaker then read the subjoined report:-

"As on former occasions of the kind, it may be said that there is extremely little to be brought before the meeting in reference to the proceedings of the Committee during the past year, still there is reason to believe that some good has been accomplished, and that though but very few copies of the Scriptures have been sold, yet the seed has been scattered abroad to some extent; and there are grounds to hope that fruits to the glory of God, and the well being of immortal souls may be the blessed results."

"During the past year, Mr. Myles has disposed of 63 Bibles and 51 Testaments, being 114 copies in whole, and leaving on hand 126."

"The following account of receipts and disbursements, will shew the state of the Society's funds at the present date, viz:-

Mr. J. G. Carr, in moving that the report now read be approved and adopted by the meeting, regretted to hear that so very important a Society, presented such an unfavourable account of its progress, but trusted that this, instead of throwing a damp on future efforts, would act as a spur to renewed exertions, and if the members generally could not command success, they would, by their exertions endeavour at least to deserve it. The adoption of the report was seconded by Mr. Thomas Forster.

The Venerable the Archdeacon moved the second resolution in a very long speech, delivered with that eloquence and ability for which Dr. Macartney stands so pre-eminent, as an advocate for religious advancement.

The resolution was:-

"That this meeting, believing the Bible to be the word of God, and the principal means intended by divine mercy for the salvation of a perishing world, humbly desire to express their thankfulness for the increased circulation of the scriptures in various parts of the world during the past year, and for the little which this Society has been enabled to do in furthering this great and glorious work."

Having briefly averted to the object and constitution of the Society, the speaker dwelt at some length on the difference of opinion which existed among professing Christians and repudiated in forcible and striking language, those concessions which some writers had advocated as proper to be made. At the present time when latitudinarianism, superstition and wide differences existed between man and man such concessions ought not to be made where they compromised conviction and severed truth from truth. Were we even agreed, first, in the object of worship, second in the rule of truth, and third in the act of worship, then all Christians might unite; but when they did not agree in these essentials, union was impossible. The speaker entered minutely into the nature of these subjects and so beautifully interwove the whole into the question of the resolution in hand, as elicited the warmest admiration and applause from every person present in the meeting.

The Bible, he observed, possessed one most remarkable characteristic which was not to be found in any other book in the world, its apparent differences, and yet its unity as a whole; written in past ages and at various periods of time in different countries and in different languages, by men differing in their usages and forms, and each using a different style, each book spoke a language separate and distinct, now thrown together without any connection; here history, there a poem, here a prophecy, there an exhortation. Sometimes a brief epistle, containing a beautiful yet simple exposition and sometimes maxims, the result of profound wisdom and knowledge, all giving evidence of many hands but of one mind, and each conforming and strengthening the other. That which, when taken separately might appear dark and unintelligible, when taken in connection with other parts of the Holy Word is rendered clear and distinct.

The Rev. speaker, in a succeeding part of his speech, attributed the firmness with which Britain had withstood the shocks which so shattered continental countries, and had shook them to the overturning of their foundations, to the wide spread of the gospel which prevailed throughout the land, and the inhabitants being a Bible reading people. "The Bible" emphatically observed Dr. Macartney, "has been the guardian of the land, and has saved her from downfall and distraction, from ruin and overwhelming misery and calamity."

Mr. Bloomfield seconded the resolution.

The Rev. Francis Tuckfield moved:-

"That renewed efforts be made by the members, and especially by the Committee of this Society for procuring subscriptions and donations in the view of extending as widely as possible the benefits to be derived from a knowledge of the scriptures."

The speaker dwelt at some length on the nature and objects of the institution, and expressed his hopes that the Committee and Members would really pledge themselves to renewed exertions, and that subscriptions would be obtained.

Mr. Myles, in seconding the resolution, considered the committee had not been so active or efficient as they should or might have been, and, as one of the Committee, he took upon himself a degree of censure which he was sorry to say would apply to most of the others also. He hoped the members present would nominate such committee-men as would be best likely to advance the interests of the society, and that they should not accept those names proposed on the list, if they thought more valuable men could be obtained.

The following resolutions were then moved and seconded:-

By Mr. G. Wright, seconded by Mr. Buckland:-

"That the clergymen of the several Protestant churches in Geelong be requested to preach each in his turn an annual sermon, at which a public collection will be made in aid of the funds of the society."

By the Rev. Andrew Love, seconded by Mr. Raven:-

"That the following gentlemen be the office bearers and directors of the Society for the ensuing year, viz: The Right Rev. Charles Perry, Bishop of Melbourne, Patron; Rev. Ebenezer Collins, President; Rev. Andrew Love, Secretary; J. Matheson, Treasurer; Depositary, Rev. Dr. Hussey Burgh Macartney; Rev. Francis Tuckfield, Rev. John Ziegler Huie, Messrs. Addis, Champion, Woolley, Roadknight, Faircloth, Strachan, Lloyd, Timms, Howell, Myles, Drummond, Towle, Forster, Hill, Raven, Sheppard, Willis, S. Learmonth, Marsden, Macmillan, Drs. Alexander Thomson, Jonathan Clerke, Forster Shaw, Hope, Learmonth, and Bailley."

All the resolutions of the evening were carried unanimously, and the few that were present appeared to evince much interest in the proceedings, and the success of the Society.

The Rev. Ebenezer Collins made a few closing remarks, and the meeting separated after a hymn had been sung, and a most beautiful and impressive prayer delivered by the Archdeacon.