Evening star., 1952-09-30
1850 Pack Armory
To See Revised Bible
Presented 10 World
By cospor Names

BY Cospdr Names
The new Revised Standard Yer
sion Of the Bible was presented
to the world last night at an i'm
pressive and inspiring service in
the National Guard Armory.
About $500 persons filled the
Armory for the historic occasion.
Oficial publication of the work by
the National Council of Churches
of Christ in the United States
marked the successful conclusion
Of IA years toll by 80 scholars
to put the King James Version
into modern language.
The local ceremony preceded by
"a hours more than 5000 COM
munity observances in the United
States. Canada, the Hawaiian
Islands and the Canal Zone.
The new Revised Bible. which
church leaders hope will be used
for private and public worship in
stead of the King James Version,
goes on sale today. Officials said
advance orders from booksellers
already approach the / million
mark. "a first-edition record never
even remotely approached by any
other book in American publish
ing history"
VinsOn, Acheson Present.
Chief Justice Vinson, Secretary
of State Acheson, and numerous
Government officials, representa-
tives of foreign governments, and
church leaders from As Protestant
and Orthodox denominations were
present at the service.
1T is right and necessary that
these eternal and vigorously liv-
ing books should continually be
reborn in fresh and living words,
just as the earth is continuously
reborn and renewed" Secretary of
State Acheson told the gathering.
Mr.. Acheson brought greetings
from President Truman, now
touring the country on a whistle
stop campaign trip.
"It is right. too, that many of
us should cling to the older
words-particularly those who, III
they apply Lincoln's phrases to
themselves, must describe them
selves as old men," the speaker
went on. $50 our rejoicing in al
new version of the Bible does not.
and need not. diminish our love
for the older ones"
Colorful Procession.
A colorful and impressive pro-
cesSion Of more than 500 persons,
led by a choir of 800. opened the
observance. The procession moved
slowly down the corridor Of the
Armory toward the stage, while
the congregation and choir. with
the Navy Band playing. sang
God of Our Fathers and "The
Church's One Foundation"
Four young men-carrying al
cross, a Bible. an American flag
and Christian flag-led the pro-
cession. Immediately following
them came As young men and
women carrying the banners Of 45I
denominations represented in theI
observance.
They were followed by members
Of the diplomatic corps, members
of the National Capital Bible OBJ
servance Committee, leaders Of thel
denominations taking part In thef
event, officers of the Nationalf
Council of Churches and Of the
Washington Federatio1s 4of
Churches and ministerial and layl
church leaders of the Nation and
city.
The three-part program had
three presiding oficers-Bishop
Sheriff., DR.. Edward L. r. Elson.
president Of the Washington Fed
Grafton of Churches. and DR.. Ar
thus s. Flemming. chairman Of the
National Capital Observance Com
mittee.
The observance was sponsored
by the National Council of
Churches and the Washington
Federation of Churches.
Copy to Bishop Sheriff..
The second copy of the Revised
Version was presented to Bishop
Henry Knox Sheriff. as head of the
National Council by DR.. Roy G.
Ross Of New York, associate general
secretary of the National Council.
DR.. Ross started on the task in
1929 as general secretary Of the
international Council of Religious
Education and has been a key
person in bringing the present re-
vision to b successful conclusion.
The first copy of the new Bible