Show MORE INTEREST IN scriptures significance in report made by bible society the circulation of the bible by the flie massachusetts bible society i was waa slightly smaller last year th than nn in 1033 yet tile the fact does not justify what might seem to be the obvious inference tor for the biggest year in the history of tile the society was 1032 the most striking statistical comparison shows that whereas in the first century of its existence the society distributed bibles and parts in tile the quarter of oe the second century now just completed the distribution elcee exceeded ded a rate that if 1 maintained would reach copies a year the society probably Is right in attributing the recent small email recession to economic conditions this situation works both ways however had 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 ili the bible las bas taken place among the rank and file of the people of our cities many isolated communities in the western counties still welcome tile the call of tile the colporteur although modern conditions make ills work seem less important than han once it was in these neighborhoods distribution continues high there Is a heavy demand niso also among certain classes ofner of new americans who come from lands where the bible does not circulate several sects which emphasize a mechanical literalism of interpretation n terp use many copies all these things are usual except the renewal of interest in tile 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 reng recognizing g zing more frankly their spiritual spIrl needs and the pulpit Is quick to respond to this attitude As might pe be expected tile the xing king james version la Is far and away the best seller of all the bibles ali the e society now circulates versions 52 of which cover coven the whole bible and in many languages but the standard in spite of till all attempts at modernization and greater accuracy of rendering continues to be the version of IGIL its phrases have been woven into the whole texture of english litera ture many of its ita passages are of the highest poetic beauty it pleases the ear as none of tile others ever has done revisions are used for reference and study but the bible of our grandfathers has hag the right light of way boston herald |