Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-03-07
BIBLE
SUNDAY

LONDON, March Sin these stir
ring times. when war and preparations
for war are engrosslng the public
mind, !: is pleasing to note the extra
ordinary plans that have been made
for the observance tomorrow OF what
has been designated Universal Bible
Sunday The day has been set aside
for celebration Of the centennial OF
which was founded March Z, 1904.
Considering the controversial trend
of the times, 1t would have been sum
eiently noteworthy TO arouse comment
had the united demonstration been
limited to the various Christian COM
munions OF Great Britain. But It's
unique feature Is the drawing togeth-
er of the churches OF other lanis In
one great celebration all minor differ
ences of race. language and sect be.
Ing merged In the great bond OF COM
mon heritage-the charter of saliva.
ton as contained In the Word Of God.
Among the earliest to endorse the
suggestion that March should be OBJ
served as Bible Sunday we're the Arch
bishops of Canterbury and York. The
idea was also taken up with enthusiasm
by the Nonconformists. including the
Baptists, the Congregationalists, the
Society of Friends, all denominations
of Methodists. the Moravians and the
Presbyterians.
The chief celebration Is to be held
tomorrow morning In St Paul's 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
ciety. which Is an off-shoot OF the Brit
ish society. will be represented at the
celebration by it's secretary. the Rev.
DR.. Edward Payson Ingersoll of New
York.
Advices received at the headquar.
ters of the society show that the day
VIII be observed In almost every part
OF the civilized world In the British
colonies the idea has been greeted
with universal approval. The Metro
politan OF Rupert's Land and Primate
OF all Canada, the Archbishop OF Sgd
ney. the Archbishop of the West In
dies. and the Archbishop OF Cape
Town have written. cordially indors-
ing the observance of the day. The
chief representatives of Episcopal
churches in the colonies have respond
ed with equal readiness, and the pro-
posal has received the hearty sane
ton Of the Dutch Reformed church In
South Africa.
But the most significant item in the
huge program Is the bringing Into line
of the Protestant church on the CONT
nent of Europe. and establishing a link
between those that are most widely
sundered on minor points. The Arch
bishop OF Upsala, In the name of the
bishops OF sweden, has promised the
cooperation of all their clergy. The
Danish bishops have unanimously re-
solved TO observe the day, and SINH
lar resolutions have been passed by
the consistory OF the Protestant state
church OF Saxony, and by the Luther
ans and Calylnists of Hungary.
IL Is obvious that such a festival as
this could only be organized by an In
sitution absolutely catholic In It's
aims. worldwide in Its work. and un-
restricted by any merely national In
teresL The object OF the society.
briefly stated, is to translate the Holy
scriptures into the various languages
OF the world. and circulate them with.
olt note or comment. free OF charge
In cases OF necessity, but otherwise
at prices. irrespective OF the original
cost. which bring them within easy
reach OF tho poor During the hum
dred years of it's existence the Brit.
ism society has distributed more than
lo0,OO0.OO0 volumes In about $40 Ian
gaages. and at total expenditure OF
4 S10.000,0C0.