Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-05
BIBLE
SOCIETY
CENTENARY

London, March SIN these stirrin
times, when war and preparations 70
war are engrossing the public mind
II is pleasing to note the extraordinary
plans that have been made for tn,
observance tomorrow Of what has
been designated Universal Bible
Sunday" The day has been set aside
for celebration Of the centennial OF
the British and Foreign Bible society
which was founded March Z. 1904.
Considering the controversial trend
Of the times, It would have been suf.
hciently noteworthy to arouse com.
ment had the united demonstration
been limited to the various Christian
communions Of Great Britain. But this
unique feature is in the drawing to-
.gether Of the churches of other lands
in one great celebration, all minor
differences Of race, language and sect
being merged in the great bond of
common heritage-the charter OF sal
yation as contained in the Word of
God.
Among the earliest to indorse the
suggestion that March should be
observed as Bible Sunday were the
Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
The idea was also taken up with en-.
thusiasm by the Nonconformists. in.
cluding the Baptists, the Congrega.
tionalists, the Society Of Friends. all
denominations Of Methodists, the
Morayians and the Presbyterians.
The chief celebration is to be hell
tomorrow morning in st. Pauls Ca.
thedral' and will be attended by the
King and Queen and other members
OF the royal family The sermon will
be preached by the Archbishop of
canterbury The American Bible So.
ciety, which is an ofr-shoot Of the
British society, will be represented at
the celebration by its secretary. the
iSv Or, Edward Payson Ingersoll of
New York.
Advices received at the headquar.
ters OF the socitey show that the dav
viii be observed in almost every mart
Of the civilized world. In the British
colonies the idea has been greeted
with universal approval. The Metro
ropolition Of Rupert's Land and
Primate Of all Canada. the ArchbIsbon !
1f sydney, the Archbishop of the !
West Indies, and the Archbisbon NJ
Cape Town have written. cordially |
ndorsing the observance of the dav |
rhe chief representatives Of non.
Episcopal churches In the colonies
lave responded with equal readiness
md the proposal has received tho /
Hearty sanction of the Dutch Reform.
"a Church In South Africa.
But the most significant item I'm tho
huge program is the bringing into liro
i the Protestant church on the con.
inent OF Europe, and ESTABLISHING
link between those that are most
'ideiy sundered on minor poipts Tho
archbishop Of Upsala. in the name o,
he bishop OF Sweden, has promised
ne cooperation OF an their CLERGY
ne Danish bishops have unanlmouslv /
esolyed TO observe the day. and simt
ar resolutions have been passed nv
he conslslory OF tho Protestant state
hureh OF saxony, and by the Inthar
ms and Calvinists Of Hungary.
Il Is obvious that such a festival as
his could only be organized by an
lstituuon absolutely Catholic IN us
inns, worldwide in It's work. and nm
es'Fleted by any merely national
lterest The object Of the society
rieny stated, IS 10 translate the Holv
eriptures into various languages oil
'e world. ana circulate them without Il
o'e or comment free OF charge IN
'ses OF necessity. but otherwise Al
riees irrespective of the original
'st which brings them within easv
'aco of the poor During the hun.
'ed years Of its existence the British
ooiety has distributed more than
'o,ooo,ooo volumes IN about s70 \
nmsges. and at a total expenditure