Early in 1791 an intense religious awakening spread throughout Wales, and it touched all classes of people, many of whom spoke their own Welsh dialect and who were not literate in the English tongue. As the Welsh people were roused from long-standing apathy and ignorance, many wanted to read and study the Holy Scriptures in their own language. However, bibles published in the Welsh language were rare and expensive.
A young Welsh girl, going by the very ordinary name of Mary Jones, wanted a Bible of her own. She saved money from her meager wages in order to make her purchase. When she had the money needed, Mary walked some twenty-five miles in the unpredictable winter season, carrying her shoes in her hand so that she would not cause this costly item too much wear, and at the same time be presentable when she finally arrived at her destination. Mary eventually arrived at the home of The Reverend Thomas Charles. Sadly, she discovered that every copy of the Welsh Bible which he had available had been sold. Mary was crushed. Her disappointment made such an impression on the Reverend Charles that he soon thereafter communicated a request to the Religious Tract Society to print a Welsh edition in large quantity.
A member of the governing committee of that group, The Reverend Thomas Hughes, was greatly moved by the report of the shortage of Welsh Bibles and the intense desire of this young woman to possess a Bible of her own. He believed a new society should be developed to fulfill such a purpose. This new society committed themselves to the belief that Scriptures in abundant supply at reasonable prices must be made available.
There was a similar desire to print and distribute Bibles in the newly created United States of America. The first Bible Society in North America, organized on December 12, 1808, is the Philadelphia Bible Society. The second was the Connecticut Bible Society, formed five months later in May 1809. I have had the privilege of serving as the President of this society for the past fifteen years. Our purpose is clear. Our By-laws state, “The circulation of the holy scriptures shall be its only object. The common version of the Bible, without note or comment.” And that’s what we have done for the past 215 years.
Why is the Bible so important to us? The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
The Bible tells the story of those who came before us. Of the chosen people of Israel and the early Christians. It shares highs and lows. Successes and failures. Ultimately, however, the Bible is a love letter from God to His children (you and me). It is how God speaks to us daily. There is no more important book humankind has ever had access to.
We are blessed today that we can access the Bible in so many ways. We don’t have to walk barefoot for miles to obtain a Bible like Mary Jones. I downloaded You Version onto my phone and can read, search, and study whenever I want and wherever I am. I pray that you have a strong desire to be in God’s Word. It is a lamp to guide us and a path for our feet. I have always said, “A Bible that is falling apart, is always owned by someone whose life is not.”
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