Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-29

Recent data compiled by the publishing
trade shows that there are more copies
OF the Bible being sold and distributed
this year than any other of the hundred
best sellers" This is due largely to
the activities Of the worlds Bible socie-
ties. The methods OF utilizing every pos
sible avenue of Bible distribution has
been so marked that the marquis of
North Hampton predicted last summer
at an international Bible conference that
the aeroplane would soon be used in the
distribution of the Good Book. The Amer
lean Bible society first utilized the au-
tomobile for Bible distribution. The sue
cessful work Of Colporteur Fow and his
wife in distributing Bibles through rural
California from an automobile. demon
strated the adaptability of this machine
for the purpose. The motorcycle is used
extensively both in America and England
for the same purpose.
The Bible societies OF the world are
united IN their efforts to place a, copy
Of the Bible IN the native tongue with
in the reach OF every man. woman and
child upon earth, and philanthropists and
churches are joining hands in this great
movement. At every summer resort,
pleasure park or town In the Christian
world a colporteur is likely to be found
who in many cases displays remarkable
versatility in attracting attention to his
wares. In heather countries the work
of the Bible distributor is being pushed
with even greater vigor, although vary
ing methods are employed.
Every Christian country has it's own
national organization for Bible production
and distribution, but the great bulk of
the work is carried on by the American
and British Foreign Bible societies.
These two great English-speaking or
Plantations control large publishing
plants in many places and print Bibles
IN every language OF Europe, in addition.
to the various othar tongues into which
the Bible has been. or is being. trans
lated.
During the past two years special at
tention has been called to the enormous
increase in the contributions to the
American Bible society through the
beneficence Of Mrs. Russell Sage who
gave half a million dollars on condition
that the society raise an equal sum for
a perpetual endowment fund. The COM
mittee in charge Of the endowment fund
campaign completed their task last June,
having secured contributions amounting
TO an average of sl.OOO day throughout
the campaign which lasted for over
year Most of this amount was from
small contributors in America and for
eign lands reached by the society's
work.
A conservative estimate places the re-
sources of the American society at So
600 600 including all endowments and
trusts and the publishing plants in
America and in foreign countries. The
endowments and trusts are invested TO
WELD the largest possible returns. Be-
sides the regular income from these.
the work Of the society is supported by
the donations, which are increasing lib
orally each year and which are imme-
diately utilized. The plans for the work
Of the coming year call for 100000 To
secure this sum the committee will en-
deavor 10 keep the daily contributions up
TO the mark reached during the endow-
ment campaign. This great annual ex-
penditure will be required to carry out
the present plans for Bible publication,
including translation and revision, dis
trfbution. travelling and emergency ex-
penses. The resources Of the British BIZ
BILE society are more than double those
of the American. In addition to its heavy
endowments, the organization is well
supported by the Established church,
while very liberal private donations are
being received each year. Much Of the
work Of the British Bible society IS done
IN India. where the numerous dialects
spoken require large number OF trans
iations in order that every British sub
feet IN that land may possess a copy
of the Scripture I'm his native tongue.
The work OF translating the Scriptures
IS recognized as important TO the worlds
development from an Intellectual, as well
as a spiritual standpoint. Putting a Bible
into a language possessing neither lexi-
con nor a grammar is a distinct literary
achievement, because II at once gives
that language the foundation of a ma
tional literature. In most cases the
translation Of the Bible into an illiterate
language speedily results in the opening
OF a public school. Many of the countries
visited by missionaries have no written
language. Their vocal communication
seems to consist OF beast-liks grunts.
Reducing these sounds to words and re-
producing them in printed form immedi-
ately gives a higher tone OF communi-
cation which cannot but advance the in
telligence OF the people receiving it. A
keen ear and a thorough acquaintance
with the people are prime essen
tials for translating the Scriptures
into unwritten languages. The pa