Evening star., 1936-06-28
G|DEONS PRESENT
2,ODOB|BLESHERE
Books to Be Placed in Ho.
teIs-Gifts Made at
White House.

with the Bibles presented to Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt
yesterday, and left for the WmN
House guest rooms, the Gideons cal
culate that more than 10000 copies
Of the Good Book" have been placed
where Christian travellers away from
home can have the comforting word
Of the Lord close at hand"
The presentation, one Of the Tea
lures Of the National Capital Gideon
rally here yesterday and today, was
made by Samuel A. Fulton, the ma
tional chaplain, who has served six
terms as national president. Like the
other members of the organization,
he Is q successful business man. head
ing q manufacturing concern m Mil
waukee, Wis.
The distribution of 100000 Bibles
in hotel rooms throughout the world,
In Fulton's opinion, Is a pretty big
oak to come from the acorn Of in
spiration implanted at a meeting OF
the Gideon cabinet 2s years ago. The
society was organized In July, 1899,
but not until nine years later was the
work by which the Gideons are best
known begun.
Idea Of Two Men.
"As I recall, two men are really
responsible for the idea OF distribut-
ing the Bibles as a practical way Of
carrying out the purpose Of our or
ganization, personal evangelism among
travelling men," Fulton explained.
"One Of our members, Nathan Den
nett, a leather merchant of Boston,
had been on business trip to Eng
land, and there became acquainted
with the custom of the Commercial
Travellers Christian Association of
England Ireland and Scotland of plac-
ing Bible in the lobby Of hotels.
He brought back the idea and with
the late William c. Crissinger of Chi
cago, a trustee in that year, 1908.
presented the resolution which set
our goal at the placing of a Bible
in every hotel room in the United
States and Canada.
That same year. STA Bibles were
distributed, but the next year we dis
tributed more than $4,000, and in two
years, 1925 and 1926, we placed more
than 100000 each year. The need
now is largely for requirements, and
during the past few years, We have
distributed between 10000 to $4,000
q year.
Work Has Spread.
The work has spread far beyond the
United States and Canada, as was
originally intended, and travellers in
hotels in Sweden, Germany. China,
Japan, India, Ceylon, Java. Korea,
Egypt, Palestine and Central and
South America. will find the familiar
Bible with its brief inscription. Placed
in this room by The Gideons." The
average cost of distribution throughout
the world Is about 81 each.
That the Bibles fill a genuine need
the Gideons have ample evidence.
Hotel managers not infrequently re-
ceive calls from guests complaining
that. there Is no Bible in their room.
One Is Immediately sent up. Frequently
guests. who have become interested
and borrow the Bibles to take with
them on their journey, return them
with apologies for having removed
them from their intended place.
Not long ago" Fulton pointed out,
81 received a letter from a man in
Oregon, who had borrowed Bible
from an Eastern hotel during a busi-
ness trip. He asked if he could keep
it a little longer until he had fin
ished it. We can't afford to distribute
Bibles to the public at large, but We
told him not to return it when he was
through"
Will Present 1000 Bibles.
To replace Bibles lost, strayed or
borrowed" the Gideons this afternoon
Wiu present to the Washington Hotel
Mems Association 1000 Bibles for dis
tribution to rooms in Al local hotels.
Secretary Of Commerce Roper will
speak at the ceremony, which will be
held this afternoon at o'clock in the
Willard Hotel.
Edward w. Martin, president of the
association. will accept the gift on
behalf Of the hotel men. DR.. Robert
w. Howard, president of the District
Camp of the Gideons, is in charge Of