Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1897 — NEARLY A MILLION BIBLES. [ARTICLE]

NEARLY A MILLION BIBLES.

Work of American Bible Society In Foreign Lands. A statement issued by the American Bible Society concerning its work to foreign lands during the last year shows that it involved an expenditure of $192,292.32 and the circulation of 767,528 volumes of the holy scriptures. Of these more than jialf—4os,ooo volumes—were distributed in 'China, 50,000 in Japan, 57,000 to the Iterant, 60,000 in South America, 83,000 in Central America and Mexico, 82,000 in Siam and Laos, 40,000 in Russia, 20,000 in France, 12,000 in Siwin and Austria, 10,000 in India; besides smaller numbers in Africa, Arabia and Corea. In accomplishing this work the agents and correspondents of the society employed 382 men, each working on an average more than eight months. The distribution of the Bible is regarded ns of prime importance in ail foreign missionary operations, and the co-operation of the American Bible Society with the mission boards receives from them the most cordial recognition. Hence the society will Issue an appeal to pastors and others, that in the special meetings which are to be held early in January in observance of the annual week of prayer due emphasis may be laid upon the imjK>rtance of extending the circulation of the Bible among all nations during the closing years of the nineteenth century and especially in those parts of the world where the Bible is an unknown book.