365,000,000.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5123, 9 May 1927, Page 3

365,000,000.

THE WORLD’S BEST SELLER.

“THE BIBLE IN THE WORLD.”

Antony Ashley-Cooper, seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, the greatest of England’s social reformers, was president of the British and Foreign Bible Society for 35 years. He regarded the society “as the glory and the strength of the British dominions.” The society has issued Scriptures in 587 languages, a total of copies of Scriptures, 10,000*,000 of which were issued in 1926. No other single influence in- the dissemination of Christian truth can lie compared with the distribution of the Scriptures in the speech of nationals, races, and tribes.

Innumerable have been the “miracles of grace” wrought in the hearts of learned and ignorant alike of white and coloured races all round the world through the reading of the Bible. Its influence, often uiwecn, has curbed the natural and evil tendencies of • mankind beyond the world’s realisation. An army of translators have- devoted their lives to the preparation and revising of the whole or part of the Scriptures into the vernacular. May is the month in which the society makes its annual appeal for funds to continue its notable work. £450,000 is asked for in 1927. New Zealand is well able, and we- believe willing, to bear a proud share of the cost. What the society has done, is doing, and hopes to do will be publicly explained on Thursday night at the Presbyterian Church, Paeroa, by the Rev. David Calder, the N.Z. organiser. Mr Calder is a Presbyterian minister of high standing, and a capable speaker. His message is one that everyone should hear. No collection will be taken at this gathering. The district canvass will be made in the following weeks. Remember —Thursday next, May 12. at 7.45 p.m. All are welcome*