ANNIVERSARY OF BIBLE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29504, 4 May 1961, Page 9

ANNIVERSARY OF BIBLE

Churches To Join In Service

To commemorate the three hundred end fiftieth anniversary of the Authorised Version of the Bible and also the appearance of "The New English Bible New Testament,” a combined churches “Bible Sunday” service will be held at the Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday afternoon. The service will be conducted by leading figures from the various Prcfiestant denominations. and the Mayor <Mr G. Manning), who will read one of the lessons. The secretary of the National Council of Churches ’ the Rev. A. A. Brash) will give the address. Duscussing the significance of the publication of the Authorised Version of the Bible, the Rev. w. T. Blight, of Christchurch, said yesterday that the Bible was the most widely distributed book in the world, the most closely studied, the most treasured and the most romantic of all books. "It provides us with our spiritual ideals, and in a strange way is powerful in revealing man to himself in his need and his spiritual capacities. It is a living light to show us the path to our true destiny. “When in 1662 the Revised Book of Common Prayer was issued, and it was found that it had followed the Authorised Version, the supremacy of that version was established. It became part of the national mind, it set its seal on our way of thinking and speaking. “Her Majesty the Queen leads the way in the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebrations. ‘The Bible is, indeed, the most valuable thing that this world affords, and its translation into English came like a broadening beam of light to our forefathers, giving them the right and the power to search out for themselves the saving truths of the Christian religion,’ she has said. “The Bible has had a profound influence on our character as a people, on our religion and on our social history. 'The Bible and the Prayer Book formed the intellectual and spiritual foundation of a new social order,’ wrote G. M. Trevelyan in his ‘English Social Order.' Overseas, in a family of nations, the Bible has been the basis of the laws and cultures of peoples. Law and government, language and education, all owe an immense debt to this book, "We do well to share in the celebrations planned in our city,” Mr Blight said.