WORLD FAMINE IN BIBLES

Chronicle (Levin), 11 September 1947, Page 4

WORLD FAMINE IN BIBLES

UVIMENSE TASK FA'CES UNITED BIBLE SOCIETY In the world today four out of avery five persons could neither read ndr wriite, but there was evident a mass movement towards iiteracy, said Mrs. Markham Jones-, of Wellingto'n, when. speaking yes,- , terday at the annual meeting of , ihe Levin branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The illiterate peoples of the world were learning quickly, particularly in Africa, India and China, with the result that there .. - was: a growing interest in the Seriptures- and a " tremendous demand ! for copies- of the Bible. So rapidly r were the people learning to read j that there was now a famine in Bibl'es, which the society had to meet. The end of the war found four j million children between the ages of • six to f ourteen in the British zone of Germany who were receivLng no religious education, said Mrs. Jones. The supply of Bibles to such children in their own language was one of the immense tasks before the society. The introduction of the Scriptures in Germany, both to these children and more particularly to the older age groups, would do much to influence the country in future years and guide the people into paths of peace. "What a field it would be for us if we can get the Bible back into Ger$nany," added MrsUJones. Already there were signs of a, growing interest in the Scriptures m Germany, and this should be fostered by the society to the fullest pxtent. This was a mere fraction of the work before the society, but it was an important one requiring the financial backing of places like Levin. Money donated oy Levin and other' New Zealand towns would largely be used in this type of work. Levin Raised £232 Congratulating the Levin branch on the result of its eollection last year, Mrs. Jones, who is the travelling secretary of the society, of the Wellington Auxiliary, said that £232 had been raised in Levin. This was a wonderful effort, not soleiy from the financial aspect but for the fact that it showed that the knowledge of the society's work was spreading. -The British and Foreign Bible Society in New Zealand had last year celebrated its centenary, having begun its work in the Dominion in 1846. The society itself was established in London 43 years earlier. Among its principal objectives was to encourage the wider circulation of the Scriptures without note or comment and to enableevery person who desired ■ to do so to secure a copy at a price the poorest could afford to pay. Appealing to all who were not .already doing so.tp send to Bible House in WelliiSg^on or local branch any used[f;New; Zealand stamps, Mrs. JonesQsaid that. money derived from the s-ale of these last year had amounted to £50. Commenting on the formation in England last year of the United Bible Society, Mrs. Jones. said that this had filled a much need'ed want. Thirteen different countries were represented at last year's conference, and-at a later conference early this year the number had risen to 18. The Bible Societies of the world w7ere now. formed into one great society, though each one still retained its identity. This meant that in future overlapping in foreign fields "would be avoided. London would be the headquarters of the United Bible Society, but every year conferences would be held in the various towns of Europe. Brighter Bibles? Though the British and Foreign Bible Society had already distributed to the children a New Testament similar to- that issued to the armed forces during the war, in the front page of which was a personal message to the children from the King, Mrs. Jones said she felt that there was a" "crying need" for " eomethirg different. "We want the children of this country to read the Bible as ° pleasure, and not juat because they are told to by their parents and teachers." For two •years she had been a strong advooate of an attractively illustrated Bible for children, but outdated rulQS of the society had prevented her from making a great deal of progress. Instead of the division of the pages into two columns, she would like to see the print carried straig'ht across the page, and attractive illustrations inserted. She had recently again raised the cubject and had hopes. that communications that had been sent to the headquarters in London might ho.ve results. Following this interesting address, the new president, the Rev. H. S. Kings, moved a vote of thanks, which was carried by qcclamation. The retiring president, Rev. A. Salmond, added his thanks, and also thanked. the Methodist Church for the use of the hall and the ladies for pro.viding afternoon tea. Officers Elected The election of officers resulted as follows: — President: Rev. H. S. Kings; vice-presidents: Mrs. Kebtbell and the ministers of the local churches and their wives,; secretary and treasurer: Mrs. T. C. de Mey; assistant secretary: Mrs. O. Webb.