BIBLES FOR SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23617, 29 March 1940, Page 8

BIBLES FOR SOLDIERS

ISSUE BEING MADE KING'S MESSAGE INSCRIBED [nv TELEGRAPH 1 OWN COHTtr.SrONDENt] WELLINGTON. Thursday The National Patriotic Council is providing Bibles for Protestant soldiers overseas. Prayer Books for Roman Catholics and Psalms for -lews, according to a report at a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council by the national secretary, Mr. G. A. Havdon. The Bibles, he said, had been bought from the British and Foreign Bible Soeietv, which paid one-third of the cost, the covers were light blue for the Air Force, dark blue for the Xavv, and khaki for the Army. They were given to the padres to give to the men. Alrqadv .'3OOO had been sup-'d to the first echelon and the seen. ! echelon would receive approximately the same number. The front of the Bible has the monogram G.R. and a crown, and there Is the following message from the' King:—"To all serving in my forces by sea or land or in the air. and, indeed. to all mv people engaged in the defence of the Realm, I commend the reading of this Book. For centuries the Bible has been a wholesome _ and strengthening influence in our national life and it behoves ns in these momentous days to turn with renewed faith to this Divine source of comfort and' inspiration.''