 |
More important meetings followed on the Tuesday. At one, in the Queen's Hall, Langham Place, the United States ambassador read a message cabled from President Roosevelt which, amid an outburst of applause, wished to 'convey to the British and Foreign Bible Society my hearty congratulations on their Centenary, and my earnest wish for the continued success of the good work'. A delegate from the American Bible Society made a speech vividly tracing the influence of the Bible in America from the landing of the Mayflower and the Puritan emigration from England to New England. To cheers he spoke of the importance for the world of the United States and Great Britain setting an example as a moral influence - an example which other Christian nations would follow. Nothing could withstand the weight of public opinion based on the Bible: Britain and the US should cooperate in all good works, 'we have one God, one Bible, one language, one destiny'.
At the same meeting, the Court Chaplain to King Oscar II announced that the King of Sweden and Norway had commanded him to express to the Bible Society 'his warmest thanks for the blessings vouchsafed through their work in Sweden and Norway during the century that is past. His Majesty regrets that, owing to a journey abroad, he is unable to celebrate, as it had been his desire, these memorable days together with his people'. Representatives from Bible Societies around the world presented gifts. A message from Prussia said that 'by command of his majesty the Emperor, Bible Sunday was celebrated in all Protestant churches in Prussia...' A telegram was read from the King of Denmark.
In Wales they processed to the ruins of Mary Jones' cottage on the side of Cader Idris. David Lloyd-George, MP and the future Prime Minister of doubtful morality, chaired an enthusiastic Welsh meeting in Exeter Hall. Much more could be written of how our forefathers celebrated the first hundred years of the Society's work - for example, of how a Centenary Fund raised thousands of pounds to further the cause. Times have changed and we live in a different world. But these details of how what was referred to as 'the greatest Christian enterprise the world has known since Apostolic times' are, I believe, entertaining, revealing and inspiring.
For more stories like this you will need to read Roger Steer’s special book to mark the first two hundred years of the Bible Society to be published in 2004, the Society’s bicentenary.
Roger Steer
October 2002
|
|
|
