The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-16
THE BIBLE.

Its Circulation In the Prussian Army-320,000
Copies Distributed since the BEGINNING OF
the War.
A German correspondent OF the London Neps
it is rather curious that one OF the incidental
effects OF the war should be an immense increase III
the diffusion OF the Scriptures The assemblage Of
large masses OF men under circumstances pecu-
nary calculated to make them feel the uncertainty
OF life and to call out all the religious earnestness
OF their nature opened vast field to the operlt
of the British and Foreign Bible Society in the war
of 1866 OF which it was not slow to avail ITSELF In
the present campaign it has again taken up the
work with the additional advantage Of increased
shce oe Tne sSs'y SSs so Ss G
and =, single Gospels separately, Tp and and
in all the bapgaages mas sso1d adoRteS sS
some appreciation OF what he receives, and be will
ing to make small sacrifice to receive it, The New
Testament and the Psalms, for instance are sold to
the unhuu soldiers for silver groschen, or Ibid
each, or at two silver groschen II bound together.
On the other hand this appreciation is presumed on
the part OF the SICK, the wounded and the prison.
ers and they accordingly receive the boon gratis.
The number thus given on the part Of the German
agency alone has already amousted In round num-
beTs to about 60,00e The whole number OF volumes
distributed by that agency since the beginning OF the
about 100000 were either given or sold by the
society's own coporteurs; the remaining
vaTious uESU "eaS Societies Sf for " the relief Of the
wounded and distributed by them In the
hospitals and elsewhere If classified according to
2G5756; French 4I9I8; Polish, 4472 Lithuanian s46
various languages, 240S; Arabic 266; Hebrew, 2ll.
The last two languages were those demanded by the
captured Turcos who were especially anxious for
the New Testament to them quite new book, and
who read IL with great interest The railways az
forced great facilities for the distribution. When
ever a military train either left Berlin or passed
through it, the colporteurs were always at the
tion, and III this manner sold no less than 5000
volumes In the first fortnight after the declaration
of war. But they did not leave the soldier here
They followed him to the field and shared his
hardships In the commencement OF the campaign
the transport Of these Immense bales OF
Bibles in the neighborboed Of the seat OF war was
accompanied with considerable difficulties, as the
railway service and all other means Of conveyance
were required for military purposes. This induced
Lieutenant Wolff formerly an officer in the Prus-
sian service, wounded in 1866, and now one OF the
socetys most active agents, to purchase cart and
horse which rendered him Independent OF railway
and post. To keep the books dry the cart rs tent
which is Inscribed with the name OF the society II
large letters and bears the red cross OF the Genevs
Convention The permission to use this emble EN- o
a peaceful mission was granted by the Gernan mill
tary authorities, who, indeed on all occasions have
shown every disposition to further the objects o
the society.