Show MORE INTEREST IN scriptures significance in report made hy by bible society the circulation of the bible by the massachusetts bible society waa slightly smaller last year than in 1633 1 yet the fact does dobs not justify what might seem to be the obvious inference tor for the biggest year in the histo history ry ot of the tha society was 1032 1932 the most striking statistical statistic na comparison shows that whereas in the first century of its existence the society distributed bibles and parts in trie quarter of the second century now just completed the tha distribution exceeded a rate that if maintained would reach copies it a year the society probably Is right la in attributing the recent small recession to economic conditions this situation works both ways however had find it not been for the depression the total distribution would have been smaller still for the first time in fifteen years a revival of interest in the bible lias has taken place among the lank danl and lie file of tile tho people of our cities many isolated communities in the western counties still welcome the call of the colporteur Ritho although modern conditions ninke make his work seem less important than once it was in these neighborhoods distribution cont continues lAues high there Is a heavy demand also among certain classes of new americans who come from lands where the bible does not circulate several sects which emphasize a mechanical literalism of interpretation terp use many copies all these things are usual except the renewal of interest in the scriptures in the centers of population it may seem paradoxical but the bible Is believed to be used more nowadays in the leading churches ministers are speaking more on bible themes and less on social and timely topics there Is ground for the opinion that under the strain of the depression the people are an recognizing zing more frankli frankly their spiritual needs and the pulpit 13 quick to respond to this attitude As aa might be expected the king james version la Is far and awny away the best seller of nil all the bibles the society now circulates versions 52 ot of which cover the whole bible and in many languages but tho standard in spite of all attempts at modernization and greater ac accuracy curney of rendering continues to be the version of 1011 its ita phrases have been woven into the whole texture of V english literature many of its ita passages are of the highest poetic beauty it pleases the ear as none of the others ever has done revisions are used for reference and study but the bible of our oar grandfathers has the ri right of way boston herald |