THE BOOK OF BOOKS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 179, 23 April 1924, Page 10

THE BOOK OF BOOKS

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WORLD?

CIVIC RECEPTION TO DR. RITSON

There were no spare seats in the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon, when the Rev. Dr. J. H. Ritson, M.A., world secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society, was accorded a civic reception. In offering the visitor a most cordial welcome, the Mayor (Mr. R. A. ■Wright) said that Dr. Ritson had for a number of years been an indefatigable worker —one who was a worker because of his pure love for the work. He had been a tower of strength to what was the largest organisation of its kind in the world. The society had done a great work, for it had translated tho Bible into over 560 languages. It had made its message clear to over threefourths of the human race, and had made eloquent the Word of Gogl in the dark places of the earth —it had made a great white light where there had been Cimmerian darkness. If it had only brought the languages mentioned to writing it was deserving of consideration, for many of the languages treated had no written form until the society had taken, up the task. All knew what was wrong with the world —that it was off its feet. This was because of the failure to carry out the teachings of the Bible. If that were done it would soon get on its feet again, and regain its accustomed stride. The Ven. Archdeacon Innes-Jones, secretary of the local auxiliary, apologised for the absence of the Bishop of Wellington, and extended to the visitor on behalf of Dr. Sprott and the clergy and laity of the Anglican Church, a most hearty welcome. Years ago the clergy of the Church of England mighthave looked askance at the society, but the Bible itself, which the society stood for, had built a bridge across the caverns of misunderstanding and doubt. The British and Foreign Bible Society was open to all Christians in any land, and it was the agent which was helping to bring about the reunion of Christendom.

The Rev. F. E. Harry said that Dr. Ritson stood out as one of tbe “tall, strong men of the community.” It was this great society, that he worked for which made their work possible, and permanent. He was sure the visit of Dr. Ritson would do good. If it were only to stimulate people to fresh study of the book of all books—the book which had taken 2000 years to write. Ho was afraid many people did not read their Bible as they should. No man was really well educated who did not know his Bible, and everybody, should stand behind this magnificent institution, founded on the Book of Books.

Mr. G. Troup, president of the Wellington auxiliary, said it was the Bible that had made Scotland, and whatever excellencies Scots people possessed were due to the children from earliest infancy being steeped in Biblical quotation and the atmosphere of the Bible. “Think of the civilising, the humanising, influence of the Bible,” said Mr. Troup. “It is the divine agency which is making tho whole world kin, and Mr. Ritson, of all ministers and. missionaries, can bo said to have the biggest parish on earth.”

Dr. Ritson said ho found it difficult to find words to express the thoughts that were moving in his mind—the deep feelings of gratitude in his heart. Those civic receptions were something new to him. It was a fitting thing that tho Mayor (the “first citizen”) should honour the Book which stood for all that was best in civic and municipal life. The society established a common ground for all Christians in Christendom, and if any stood out —ho cared not what they wore called —they stood out because they took that stand themselves. Tho jieoples of Canada spoke 110 languages. When an immigrant landed there a copy of the gospels was placed in his hand, in which one column of tho gospel appoaa-ed in the person’s mother tongue, whilst the opposite column was in English, so that whilst thov were eagerly absorbing the message of hope for the life eternal, they were taking their first lesson in English. Bible Honse was one of the sights of London. It was in Queen Victoria. Street, near “The Times” building, and carved in stone over the open door was: “The Word of the Lord Endureth for Ever.” Bible House was a great foreign office —as a factor in human affairs it was greater than the other office in Downing Street. If a foreigner lost his way in London and could make himself understood, a policeman took him to Bible House, and there he was allowed to turn over print in 560 languages until he recognised his own. Then they know what Consul to take him to. They had seen recently the enthronement of the will of the people in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the enthronement of the democracy—“making the world safe for democracy.” He was a democrat, but had never been -carried away by mere phrases. Democracy never would be safe until it acknowledged the absolute autocracy of Jesus Christ. They had all heard of the war that was to end war. The awful condition in which so many were living was duo to the war, and he for one did not believe that war would end war. War would never cease until they recognised Christ, and through Christ, God the Father. He would like to create a new verb in saying that it was their mission to “Bible the nations,” so that all might know the truth and work for it. They were not going to get peace again until the family Bible was restored to its place in the home. It was bad enough keeping it out of the schools, but more important than the Bible in schools was the Bible in the homes. To throw all cant as ; de, it was no good talking of the Bible in tho home or the schools if each one of them individually did not read it.