Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 13, Number 22, DeMotte, Jasper County, 9 April 1943 — CHURCH LAYMEN ESTABLISH BIBLE LEAGUE [ARTICLE]

CHURCH LAYMEN ESTABLISH BIBLE LEAGUE

What began with the giving of a small Bible to a hotel bell-boy in Biloxi, Miss., in April, 1936, is today the American Home Bible league of 10822 Normal Ave., Chicago, with more than 15,000 complete Bibles given away free in five years, and the total rapidly increasing each year. In April of 1936, Mr. Wm. A. Chapman, a real estate man of Chicago, and a member of the First Reformed Church of Roseland, became seriously ill. A friend's prayer book that be might be restored to health and be of service in God’s Kingdom, set him to thinking. Soon after he jouryned south for a period of convalescence. Stopping in Biloxi, Miss., the Gideon Bible in bis room drew his attention. The thought

came that then* was as great need for Bibles in homes as in hotel rooms. The next morning Mr. Chapman purchased a few small Bibles, and offered the first one to the hotel bellboy with a word to the boy that he could have the Bible if he promised to read it. * The boy promised. The gift of the Bible upon the promise to read it remains the condition of the gift to this day. Returning home, Mi*. Chapman talked with his pastor, the Rev. John A. Klaaren, received on couragement, and out of his own funds purchased the first 250 Bibles on April 4. 1938, two years after the idea was born. Walkerton, Indiana was chosen as the first community for distribution On Good Friday of 1938 Mr. and Mrs. Chapman called om 245 homes in this town and presented Bibles to 46 families who did not possess one and who promised to read it. On May 9, a Bible was mailed to President Roosevelt, one t(i> each member of his cabinet and to all the senators. Fifty nine letters of acknowledmenl and appreciation were received One Bible was rejected and re turned.

Early in 1939 Mr. Cornelius Evers joined Mr. Chapman in the work. Since then with the help of Ministerial Associa tions and large groups of work ers, such large centers and cities as Kalamazoo, Muskegon Pontiac. Grand Haven, and Three Oaks, Mich.; Harvey Blue Island. Cicero and Lin coin. Ill.; El Monte. Calif.; Bushville, Penn.; DeMotte, In diana; Waupun, Wis., and sis tv other smaller communities! in the middle west have been canvassed. In all. more than 15,000 Bibles have been jnven away in five years. At present the league is Bibleizing the Ninth Ward in | Chicago, with a shipment of 5000 Bibles received for the purpose. Plans are also proceeding in faith that God will supply the needed Bibles to carry on the work in the other 49 wards in Chicago. Both Mr. Chapman and Mr. Evers give very generonsly of their own means for the League program.