The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-16
ME:N IN PRISQN ASK. AME RICAN PEOPLE. F0R H0LY BIBLES
Workers Declare Unfortu- mates Without Means Go
 For Scripture Reading

A blple TOT In6 QeSpdlrlnS man III the prison celia gift that will give him daily message of inspiration, helping him to regain his manhood, such is tho work now being carried cn by the foundation for the free distribution of the American Stand ard Bible, which has recently been organized in honor of the American Bible revision committee.
 Strange as 1t may seem, there is at present no organization for the purpose of putting Bibles in prison cells. Concerning the great need of prisoners for spiritual help, Rev. Rufus W. Miller, secretary of the foundation, says:
 Anyone who has visited the pris- ons of the country, and has seen the terrible monotony Of routine prison life cannot help but feel deeply touched by the need the man in the lonely cell has for some necessary guiding star of inspiration-if that man is ever to be born again. The only hope for such a man to get back on his feet, to take his righeful place in society, as I see it, Is the message given to us all by the founder of Christianity himself.
 "Picture to yourself hundreds of thousands of men, women and chill dren, who, through some misfortune, have been placed by their fellow men in prison, and you will see the immediate number in need of spir- itual assistance. These men and women, boys and girls, are not wholly bad. Is it not true, there Is much good even in the worst of us?
 "In this connection I sometimes 8 wonder if we have not lost sight of the importance of having copy of the Bible always at hand-a constant companion and friend, in the words of the man who 2,000 years ago gave us the greatest sermon ever preached to- despairing mankind?''
 Work Progresses.
 The first actual distribution of Bibles made by the foundation was a consignment recently sent to Maj. L. A. Odom, who is in charge of Hope hall, an institution for the reforma- tion of prisoners at Jacksonville, Fla. In his appeal for assistance, Major Odom wrote the foundations:
 "In my district, comprising the states of Alabama, Georgia and Flor ida, there are at the present time about 15,000 men. women and chill dren In the prisons, prison camps and reformatories. The officers of my division visit each and every one of these institutions as often as prac- tical. We find less than per cent of the inmates have any religious literature whatsoever.
 We are appealed to daily by those unfortunates for Bibles. We have an unusual opportunity In that we are able to reach these people when they are at leisure to study the Word. There is absolutely no limit to the amount of Bibles which we could use in this cause, and I can conceive of no work more deserving than carrying the Message to these unfortunates. We will greatly ap- preciate receiving any amount Of Bibles which you may be able 10 send us for this work"
 Tn commenting upon this lock of Bibles, Mrs. Ballfngton Booth pioneer in prison reform work, says: We have had many similar, appeals from the various prisons throughout the country and would like to respond to these appeals by forwarding Bibles to the chaplaius for distribution to the ttThe Bible offered flor distribution is similar to that supplied by the Gideons to the hotels of the country, It sof good type and size, an deasily read, and can be supplied in quanti- ties at 65 cents.
 Donations Asked.
 Checks should be made out for as many Bibles as you are willing to contribute 10 J. T. - VnVA S oii ~ ", Bankers, and sent to The Foundation for the Free Distribution or the American Standard Bible, 50. Union Square, New York city.
 The Foundation for the Free Dis- tribution of the American Standard Bible is the outgrowth of an interest created by the Fiftieth anniversary exercises in honor of the American Bible revision committee, held at the Brick Presbyterian church, New York city, on Sunday evening, No- vember 26, 1922, when glowing tri- butes to the self-sacrificing labors of the revision committee were read from President Harding, Secretary or State Charles Evans Hughes, and a long list of university presidents and denominationaI leaders. The presld- ing officer at the meeting was pr. John H. Finley, and the principal ad- dress was delivered by Albert J. Beveridge.
 In his message, President Harding said in part: T cannot but join in your expression of the hope that the occasion may serve to direct pubic interest and attention to the Bible as an eternal source of inspiration m and idealism in our day by day life.'
 The suggestion of the orgination of the Foundation, as public tribute to the work of the American revisors, was made by Dr. Edwin Wilbur Rice, honorary editor the American Sunday School Union ho, whas since accepted the honorary chairmanship of the Foundation itself. It is an- nounced by the Foundation that each Bible given to prisoners VIII pear the name of the donor. Due &C., knowledgement of each contribution will also be made by the Foundation.