The Holy Bible—1538-1938

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 12 (Supplement)

The Holy Bible—ls3B-1938

On Religion

Four hundred years have passed since first the Bible was set up in the churches of England to be publicly read, and to-morrow, June 19, is the day chosen for this important commemoration. Let lis glance across the pageant of history and note some of the vast movements which were taking place at that time. Cromwell was busy suppressing the monastries, and England was in the throes of a violent Reformation that was shaking the minds and stirring the feelings of Christian men and women both at home and on the continent of Europe. In Italy, where another Cromwell is at present in the middle of the stage, Genoa and Venice were uniting against the Turks. In 1542 Portuguese traders discovered Japan, whilst in 1549, during the reign of Edward VI., the first Prayer Book was published. Whilst the Portuguese were thus penetrating the East, Erance was at war with the Netherlands, and the Inquisition and censorship of printing was being established in Rome. The Bible created no small stir. Whilst the first Prayer Book was on the press, St. Francis Xavier was introducing Christianity into Japan, and Ivan the Terrible was ruling over Muscovy. Who thinks that the condition of Europe is more tense in 1938 than it was around the year 1538 has a poor grasp of historic facts. John Richard Green, writing of the period between the middle of Elizabeth's reign and the Long Parliament, said: "England became the people of a book, and that book was the Bible." The Bible, more than any other book, has moulded English thought, and in so far as her greatest statesmen have been guided by its precepts the very