Trinitarian Bible Society

Founded in 1831 for the circulation of Protestant or uncorrupted versions of the Word of God

Officers of the Society

General Committee: General Secretary/Chief Executive: Mr. D. P. Rowland Chairman: The Rev. M. H. Watts Operations Director: Mr. D. Larlham Vice-Chairman: Mr. G. D. Buss, B.Ed. Resources Director: Mr. D. J. Broome, C.P.F.A. Vice-Presidents: The Rev. B. G. Felce, M.A. Editorial Director: Mr. P. J. D. Hopkins, M.A. Oxf. The Rev. G. Hamstra, B.A., M.Div. Mr. D. Oldham Sales, Development and Grants Manager: Mr. A. P. Clarke Treasurer: Pastor R. A. Clarke, B.Sc., F.C.A. Senior Editorial Consultant: Mr. G. R. Burrows, M.A. Mr. L. Brigden, B.Sc.(Hons.), M.Sc., B.A.(Hons.)

The Rev. R. G. Ferguson, B.A. Editorial Consultants: Pastor M. J. Harley Mr. G. W. Anderson, B.A. Mr. A. K. Jones, LLB. (Hons.) Solicitor Mr. A. Hembd, M.A.C.S. The Rev. E. T. Kirkland, B.A., Dipl.Th. J. Cammenga, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. The Rev. D. Silversides G. Fox, B.A. (Hons.), D.D., Ph.D. The Rev. J. P. Thackway The Rev. W. M. Patterson Jnr., B.A., D.D. Issue Number: 595 – April to June 2011

© Trinitarian Bible Society 2011 Issue Number: 597 All rights reserved. The Trinitarian Bible Society permits October to December 2011 reprinting of articles found in our printed and online Quarterly Record provided that prior permission is obtained and proper acknowledgement is made.

Contents

Sabbath School Learning Prize Fund 2 2011 Commemorative Meetings 3 From the Desk of the General Secretary 4 Tom Massey 9 A Wondrous Thanksgiving 10 Editorial Report 12 The Treasury 17 New Telephones 18 The Diamond Jubilee Bible Project 19 Liberia and the Dan Bible 21 The Word of God among all Nations 30

Quarterly Record Production Team Editorial Director: P. J. D. Hopkins Senior Editor: Dr. D. E. Anderson Editorial Consultant: C. P. Hallihan Editors: D. R. Field, K. J. Pulman Graphic Designers: P. Hughes, S. Talas Circulation: J. M. Wilson

1 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record Sabbath School Learning Prize Fund ‘…from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures…’ 2 Timothy 3.15

he Trinitarian Bible Society seeks to encourage and enable children in the study of God’s Word by means of the Sabbath School Learning Prize Fund. TThis Fund was commenced a number of years ago to encourage English- speaking children and young people to memorise the Holy Scriptures from the Authorised Version of the Bible. Under the scheme, we provide a list of verses to be memorised by children in two age groups: those ten years of age and under and those aged eleven to fifteen. To the younger children who memorise their verses, we present suitably inscribed gilt-edged, bonded leather text Bibles. For the older children, gilt-edged bonded leather reference Bibles are awarded. Those who have memorised the first set of verses may receive the reference Bible upon completing the work for the higher age group.

The Society would encourage all parents, office-bearers and other supporters of the Society who seek the spiritual well-being of the young, whether or not the children under their charge attend a Sabbath school, to request further details of the Sabbath School Learning Prize Fund from Anne Newman ([email protected]) at our London headquarters, or from any of the Society’s Branches (contact details on the inside back cover of this Quarterly Record).

2 2011

COMMEMORATIVE MEETINGS

od willing, we will be continuing to mark the four hundredth anniversary of the GAuthorised Version with a series of meetings and lectures in the UK on various aspects of this excellent version’s supremacy. The latest information on these meetings follows. Please note that meeting arrangements may be subject to change. We will post changes and updates on our website, and would recommend that you contact the Society’s head office to confirm details of time and location closer to the date. The following meetings will be held, God willing:

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER AT 3.00 P.M. AT 3.00 P.M. Exeter Independent Evangelical Church, Walsham-Le-Willows Evangelical meeting at Trefoil Lodge, Buddle Lane, Congregational Church, Suffolk IP31 3AZ Exeter EX4 1JP The Authorised Version: The Authorised Version: A Critical Assessment of Not Archaic, but an Accurate Three Modern Versions and Timeless Translation Speaker: Mr. Roland Burrows Speaker: The Rev. John P. Thackway (Member of the Society’s General Committee) (Member of the Society’s General Committee)

ND SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER AT 3.00 P.M. AT 3.00 P.M. Emmanuel College, Cambridge CB2 3AP Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys, The Authorised Version: Vale of Glamorgan CF64 4YB The Noblest Monument of The Authorised Version: English Prose and Christian A New Hearing For Devotion the Authorised Version Speaker: Pastor Michael Harley Speaker: The Rev. Neil Pfeiffer (Member of the Society’s General Committee)

3 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record From the Desk of the General Secretary

he Authorised (King James) Bible Stoutjesdyk, the General Secretary of anniversary year is almost at an end, the Society’s Branch in Canada. Mr. T and by the time this edition of the Stoutjesdyk has used his considerable Quarterly Record is received, most of the experience and talent as an educator Society’s members should have received to prepare material for use by pupils in a copy of the Society’s much appreciated schools and by homeschoolers (chiefly in publication, The Authorised Version: A North America), which it is thought would Wonderful and Unfinished History by also be of considerable value and interest Peter Hallihan. (If anyone has not received to all parents, Sabbath school teachers their copy, would they please contact and others who have access to children their local Society office.) This attractively and young people. The three 11- and 12- produced, well illustrated paperback of page large-size booklets cover, in words nearly eighty pages, has been the Society’s and pictures, the great goodness of the main literary contribution to the 400th Lord in providing the English-speaking anniversary of the Authorised Version, peoples with the Word of God in their own and has been well received and widely language. distributed. The Society is indebted to Mr. The second is a well produced and Hallihan for this eminently readable and informative book entitled The Jewel in fascinating study. the King’s Crown, by Dr. David Allen, one This ‘Desk’ is largely being given over to of the Society’s Deputation Speakers in provide details of two other contributions the United Kingdom. Dr. Allen brings his to the 400th anniversary of the original keen interest and considerable knowledge publication of the Authorised (King James) of the events that surrounded and led Bible in 1611. up to the publication of the Authorised The first isis aa seriesseries ofof threthree booklets Version of the Bible to the reader in a most forfo children compelling and readable manner. The andan young book contains excellent illustrations and peoplepe (also valuable appendices. availableav on a CD Our Bible’s History Learning togethertog Package Outline by Adrian withwit Mr. Stoutjesdyk Hallihan’sHal The In his Note to Teachers and Parents AuthorisedAuth which accompanies the three Version:Vers A booklets, Mr. Stoutjesdyk WonderfulWon states, andand UnfinishedU This year, English- HistoryHisto ) which speaking Christians havehave beenb commemorate the compiledcomp 400th anniversary byby AdrianAdr of the King

4 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011

James Version of the Bible. The Lord same time as Shakespeare’s plays. The has given us a trustworthy translation providence of God found a moment of His infallible Word. Our goal is to when the English language was young, point students to the manifestationsnifestations yetyet vigorouslyvig mature, of His hand in guiding sprightlysprigh yet stately, earthy the development of this yetyet sublime.su translation. This bookb takes us back to Until the present day, anotheranot world as it traces the Lord continues to the developmentd of the use this Version to call EnglishEngl Bible, and then and save souls, nurture setssets the translation of congregations, and the Authorised Version direct families. We hope withinwit the socio-political these learning activities maelstromma of Elizabethan will not only familiarize andan Jacobean England. our students with the WeW are introduced to the fascinating history of our translators:tr Puritans such Bible but encourage themm as John Reynolds and to study the Word. We LawrenceLa Chadderton; hope the Lord will bless thehe MilesM Smith, who wrote study of His Word to theirir the now seldom-printedseld Preface eternal well-being. to the Reader and was a final editor; Because the narrative format remains a godly Lancelot Andrewes, then Dean powerful learning tool, we decided to of Westminster; and many other deans use the story-format to involve them in and scholars of the classical languages. a study of the captivating history of the Dr. Allen’s book will delight any reader Authorized Version. Colouring pages and will draw out fresh appreciation will appeal to younger students while of the King James Bible as a religious the short learning assignments will and literary masterpiece, and an help the older ones consolidate their enduring landmark at the climax of learning. the English Reformation. The reader Copies of these resources may be will understand more fully why the downloaded from the Society’s website or King James Bible is still treasured obtained from the Society’s premises. throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. The Jewel in the King’s Crown by Preface Dr. David Allen The Authorised Version of the Holy Possibly no better recommendation of this Bible, also known as the King James book can be given than to draw attention Bible, has been described as the to the wording of the dust jacket and the ‘noblest monument of English prose’. preface, which follow: Some would contend that it is the It has often been said—by Winston finest literary achievement in the Churchill and T.S. Eliot among English language, a religious and others—that the King literary classic. Some men praise it James Bible is the for its pure English and forceful style, greatest work in the others for its beauty and majesty, and English language; still others for its masterful translation. and it is true. The It is all of that and much more. But King James Bible even more important, we must see appeared at the the Authorised Version as the Bible

5 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record

that God has providentially given of living European languages. Without to His English-speaking Church. It is question, the printing of the King the Word of God, that is, a faithful James Bible in 1611 marked an epoch- translation of the inspired originals. breaking [sic] landmark in the history …the very meanest translation of of the English language. It shaped the the Bible in English, set forth by men English language for three hundred of our profession…is the Word of and fifty God. As the King’s Speech which years. The he uttered in Parliament, being Authorised translated into French, Dutch, Version Italian, and Latin, is still the King’s formed the Speech.1 basis for Milton’s Following the defeat of the French at Paradise Lost, the Battle of Agincourt in the fifteenth Bunyan’s centurycentury,, English began to emerge as Pilgrim’sPil A 1533 edition of Luther’s Bible PrProgress, and HaHandel’s glorious Messiah. This Bible exexpanded the horizons of our culture, anand without its incalculable influence ththe English-speaking world would have bbeene irredeemably impoverished. TThish Bible united monarch and ssubjects,u church and laity, and was the cocornerstone of every aspect of English cuculture. The translators created a sscripturalc rhetoric that was as plain and ddignifiedi as Tyndale’s and as rich and reresonant as any book in the English the national lalanguage.n There is a rich linguistic language. The Universities of Oxford mmusicality to the whole, which was and Cambridge, however, continued to lacking in previous translations. The use Latin as the language of academia. text was to be read in churches, and Erasmus lectured at both universities therefore was first tested on the ears of in his favourite Latin tongue. The the translators. The result is a ‘feeling Church, for her part, had moved away for syllable and rhythm’, invigorating from Latin to the vernacular by the mid every word and fixing itself upon the sixteenth century, and with that move memory. there arose the need for an English Contrary to modern opinion, it was Bible. not written in Jacobean English, and Luther’s translation of the German certainly not Shakespearian English. Bible in the 1520s inadvertently It was written in a form of English sowed the seeds for an accurate and that no one had ever spoken. In some reliable English Bible in the hearts respects, its language was archaic of the English Reformers. The King even in 1611. It was English shaped James Bible was the polished jewel by the Hebrew and Greek originals which emerged from the chrysalis that they were translating. It was a of the sixteenth century English translation in what can only be called translations. It gave to the English ‘Biblical English’. The translators were people a national Bible. Linguistically, constrained by the form of the original. it consolidated English at the forefront No straining here for the language of 6 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 the ploughboy, or the mythical ‘man in America, and by the end of the the street’! They constructed a form of seventeenth century it had become English which was determined by the treasured by Americans as much as Hebrew and Greek originals, but that by the British as one of their national would nevertheless be understood by texts. the ploughboy. Neither Tyndale before The great Jacobean Bible is still greatly them, nor the King James translators, cherished, long after versions which translated into the language of the were intended to supplant it have ploughboy. perished. The King James Bible is still The English language has passed far from being a spent force, whether through many and great changes, in private or in public. Why is this? and had at last reached the very height of its purity and strength. The Authorised Version has ever since been the grand English classic. It is the noblest monument of the power of English speech. It is the pattern and standard of excellence. It is the most full and refreshing of all the ‘wells of English undefiled’. It has given a fixed character to our language. H. L. Mencken wrote: It is the most beautiful of all the translations of the Bible; indeed, it is probably the What is unique about the King James most beautiful piece of writing in all Bible? These are questions that we will the literature of the world… Many address in the pages which follow, but learned but misguided men have consider the words of Psalm 8:3–5 as sought to produce translations that they appear in the Authorised Version: should be mathematically accurate, and in the plain speech of everyday. When I consider thy heavens, the work But the Authorised Version has RIWK\ÀQJHUVWKHPRRQDQGWKHVWDUV never yielded to any of them, for which thou hast ordained; it is palpably and overwhelmingly What is man, that thou art mindful of better than they are… Its English him? And the son of man, that thou is extraordinarily simple, pure, visitest him? eloquent, and lovely. It is a mine of For thou hast made him a little lower lordly and incomparable poetry, at than the angels, and hast crowned him once the most stirring and the most with glory and honour. touching ever heard of.2 In this exquisite passage there is an During the eighteenth and nineteenth absolute simplicity of vocabulary, centuries, missionary work carried but it is matched by a majestic and the influence of the King James Bible stately rhythm. The language is both to Africa and Australasia, so that majestic and sublime, and yet, at the wherever Christianity was established same time it is so ordinary, so down to it was nourished and nurtured by this earth. There is here, an irreproachable incomparable translation. This Bible authority mingled with a rich became the guiding text of Puritan musicality in every word. The King 7 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record

James translators throughout their majestic translation will safely guide epic work use phrases that are richer, him into all things needful for faith deeper, more vigorous, and capable and practice, as would the original of enshrining complex thought, than Scriptures, if he could read them, or if anything produced in the twentieth they could speak to him as they spoke and early twenty-first centuries. to the Hebrew in Jerusalem, or to the The churches and biblical Greek in Corinth. scholarship have, by and large, The English reader enjoys, by the abandoned the frame of mind good providence of God, a translation which created this translation… so exact, so plain, and trustworthy, The belief in the historical and that he may follow it with implicit authentic truth of the scriptures, confidence as ‘a light to his feet and a particularly the Gospels, has been lamp to his path’. largely abandoned, even by the As we approach the four hundredth religious… It is impossible now to anniversary of its publication, we shall experience in an English church the seek to trace the complex history of enveloping amalgam of tradition, its publication, whilst looking at some intelligence, beauty, clarity of of the personalities involved, and purpose, intensity of conviction and make some digressions into the socio- plangent*, heart-gripping godliness political climate of the late Tudor and which is the experience of page early Jacobean period… after page of the King James Bible. Nothing in our culture can match Endnotes: its breadth, depth and universality… 1. Preface to the Authorised Version. Unlike the churches themselves, the 2. Quoted by Gustavius Pain [sic], The words of this Bible remain alive, a Men Behind the KJV, Baker Book house, way of speaking, and a form of the 1959, p. viii. language which is still a vehicle of meaning in circumstances when 3. A Nicholson, God’s Secretaries, little else can be.3 Harper Perennial, 2003, p. 238ff. Well does the Translators’ Preface *Resounding loudly, esp. with a speak of God’s sacred Word as ‘that plaintive sound, as a bell. inestimable treasure which excelleth all the riches of the earth’. [Taken from David Allen, The Jewel in the King’s It at once formed and fixed our Crown (Stoke-on-Trent, UK: Berith Publications language. It continues to bring home 2010). Available from: Tentmaker Publications, the knowledge of God’s revealed truth 121 Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., ST4 to countless thousands…[more] minds 7LU, England, www.tentmaker.org.uk, than ever received it through the www.tentmakerpublications.com, original tongues. ISBN no. 978 1 901670 45 5.] The average reader of the King James Bible may enjoy the delightful We are indebted to Mr. Stoutjesdyk and assurance, that, if he study it in faith Dr. Allen for their efforts in seeking to make and prayer, and give himself up to its the history of the Authorised Version more teachings, he shall not be confounded widely known, and look to the Lord to nor misled as to any matter essential to bless their endeavours. his salvation and his spiritual good. This

8 IssueIssue Number:Number: 597597 – OcOctobertober to DDecemberecember 20201111 Tom Massey

he Society is saddened to announce the death of Mr Tom Massey, our caretaker Tfor some forty-five years, who died in March following a short illness. He was three months short of his ninety-seventh birthday.

Tom served as a tank driver in the Army during World War II, and following other employment came to the Society in the 1960s. He and his wife lost both of their young children to illness. After his wife’s death, Tom often went to place flowers on her grave as well as theirs. However, such was Tom’s friendly personality that he had many who considered him family, in particular the children of former staff member Jean Pontin who were like grandchildren to him.

Tom faithfully continued his work over many years; as age increased and with it normal age-related frailness, his tasks became more sedentary but he was daily at his desk in the Packing Department. Staff remember fondly his daily announcement of morning refreshments, ‘Tea is now ready, thank you’, often punctuated with words or phrases from various languages such as Arabic, picked up primarily during his years of service to his country in foreign lands.

Tom’s smiling face is greatly missed at Tyndale House.

Also missed is LESLIE WOOD, who served as handyman for several years, although our loss is North Wales's gain: Leslie has retired to a Welsh farm. We wish Leslie God's blessing upon his retirement and look forward to seeing him during his visits back south.

9 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record A Wondrous

But I will sacrifice unto thee with of wholehearted thanksgiving. Even a child the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay of God may be far from Him and fail to that that I have vowed. give glory to the Lord. Salvation isi of the LORD Was this not the case with Jonah? This prophet certainly was ungrateful when he JonahJ ah 2.92.2 opposed the direct command of God. The byb thethee Lord ordered Jonah to prophesy against Rev. G. Hamstra Nineveh, but he refused to do so. He fled; a Vice-President of the Society instead of going east, he went west and intended to go as far west as he could. Jonah he busy summer days are passed. travelled to Joppa, found a ship bound for The harvest is almost completed. Tarshish, paid his fare and went aboard. The cooler autumn days of the This disgraceful disobedience was contrary T 1 ThThanksgiving Season have arrived. The to the spirit of thanksgiving. mmemories of past favours, the blessings of Nevertheless, the Lord corrected His tthe present, and the anticipation of future wayward servant by sending a great mmercies may produce fervent desires storm. His mighty winds blew into the tto praise and thank the Lord for His Mediterranean Sea, raised the waves to mmarvellous provisions. unusual heights, and tossed the ship to ThanksgivingTh is a humble and wholehearted and fro. The intensity of the storm alarmed rresponse to God for what He has done for even the sailors. The seamen endeavoured uus. It is good to give thanks; it is pleasant to to save the ship and prayed to their gods ppraise the name of the Lord (Psalm 92.1). to keep them alive. Their efforts, however, BBy faith we consider the numerous tokens were futile. oof His bountiful goodness and reflect on Then the captain remembered the one oour own unworthiness of the least of these who had spoken about his flight from the mmercies. By faith, we cannot do otherwise presence of the Lord. Where was he? The bbut honour God for the wonders of His love captain, finding Jonah sound asleep, awoke aand care. him and asked him to pray. The sailors ThThanksgiving is a spontaneous fruit of were convinced that the storm was of ddivine grace and should never be wanting supernatural origin. Someone had offended iin the life of a child of God. Yet many his god. Who was the culprit? The casting nneglect to give thanks unto the Lord. The of lots decided the question: Jonah proved uunbeliever does not know the joy and peace to be the guilty person.

10 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011

The mariners appealed to Jonah to confess pleaded with the Lord, hoping to avoid the his crime. They enquired regarding death of the prophet. Most impressive were his country, occupation and people. their supplications. Finally, they rested in Jonah made a forthright confession and the sovereign will of the Lord and hurled told them that he was a Hebrew. He Jonah into the stormy sea. When the Lord’s acknowledged that he feared the Lord, the command was obeyed, the sea ceased from only living God, the Creator of heaven, its raging. earth and sea. He confessed his sin and his How wondrous are the ways of God! The flight from God’s presence. In response Lord had prepared a great fish. At His will to this confession, the horrified mariners the fish swallowed the prophet. Jonah was cried out, ‘Why hast thou done this?’ kept alive and conscious. After three days (1.10). and three nights, the Lord released the In the meantime, the storm continued penitent prophet. God spoke and the fish its frightening rage. What must be done vomited Jonah out onto dry land on the shore. Jonah provided a vivid description of his dramatic experience. In the belly of the fish he was exercised in the ways of God. In his deep affliction the prophet cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard and answered the supplications of His servant. God’s erring child was reconciled. While still in eminent danger and sore distress, to pacify the Lord? God’s repenting Jonah’s faith grew to such heights that he prophet knew. He deserved to die for could express thanksgiving to the Lord his transgression. The wrath of God, even for future mercies (2.9). No longer manifested in the storm, could only be fleeing from the Lord but in God’s gracious appeased by casting the guilty prophet presence, Jonah knew himself to be safe in overboard. Jonah’s proposal was, ‘Take me the arms of everlasting love. up, and cast me forth into the sea’ (1.12). Jonah would be tested further as we read Presently, the prophetic promise followed: later in the book. But for now he walked ‘so shall the sea be calm unto you’. God’s by faith and not by sight. Those who walk erring child knew this to be the will of God by faith may not only sing the song of and was submissive. Trusting afresh, the thanksgiving in the day of prosperity, but prophet no longer fled from the presence also in the night of adversity. For salvation of the Lord! is of the LORD (2.9); He never forsakes the The sailors marvelled at the proposal, but works of His own hands (Psalm 138.7–8)! had no intention of carrying it out. They Endnotes: made another attempt to break through 1. The USA and Canada each have an official day set the waves and wind to reach the safety aside annually in which—at least in past times— the people consider the goodness of God and of the shore. But the Lord opposed their express thanksgiving for His provision of ‘daily attempt to save Jonah’s life. These Gentiles bread’.

11 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record Editorial Report

by Philip J. D. Hopkins Editorial Director

Introduction on the present status of the uch of this report is derived from project, and we are pleased a meeting held at the Society’s in this article to be able MHeadquarters on 17th January to update our supporters, 2011, when Mr Ivan Pambakian and particularly those in Canada Dr Michael Harrison visited who are so us to speak on the work generously of Armenian Ministries, helping to an organisation whose fund the task is to provide spiritual and project. material help to people in Armenia. Very sadly for Their association with the Society is in all concerned, respect to the Armenian Scriptures; Ivan’s just a few wife, Mrs Sona Pambakian, is the principle weeks later, reviser of the Armenian Scriptures on 5th published by the Society. The February talk given by Ivan, then Director 2011, Ivan went to be with the Lord. of Armenian Ministries, focussed chiefly on Concerning this sudden loss Michael wrote the history of these Scriptures, the need for to me at the time, ‘Ivan died literally while a new version and the impact the Society’s on God’s service—heservicee—he hadhad justjusts finishedfinished Armenian New Testament has had in the talking to a groupgrooup ooff peoplepeople aboutabout thethe country since its first publication in 2005. Lord’s workrk inn Armenia.Armenia. He waswas struckstruck (The New Testament and Psalms was by a massiveiveve subsequentlysusu heart attackckk publishedpu in on Saturdayay 2008.)2 evening andnd DrD Harrison’s died a feww talkt focussed hours later’.r’r.

Armenian New Testament and Psalms open to John 17

Mount Ararat as seen from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia 1212 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011

The Society is thankful that Michael has and by the been able to take on the role of Director 17th century of Armenian Ministries and also grateful these copies for the way in which Sona has been had become upheld to continue the work of checking very scarce. and finalising the text of the Armenian Today, this old Bible, which is currently being typeset in version of the Armenia. Scriptures can only be read by experts A brief history of the Armenian in classical Scriptures Armenian. Although not directly connected to this Eventually, An Armenian boy at home heading, Mr Pambakian began his talk in the 18th century, by recounting the fascinating possibility people began to write that during the time of our Lord’s earthly in Western Armenian—the dialect used ministry the King of Armenia was in the area of Armenia that was under interested in the work of the Lord Jesus Turkish rule (geographically in the eastern Christ. It is said that as well as sending part of the modern state of Turkey). emissaries to report on His teaching, he Building on this development, in the may also have offered asylum to our Lord. 19th century the British and Foreign Bible It is also believed, though not certain, that Society translated the Bible into Western the Apostles Thomas and Bartholomew Armenian.2 Today, this form of Armenian evangelised the country of Armenia in the is only used by the Armenian Diaspora, 1st century AD. Although there is some many who are descendants of those who doubt on the foregoing points, a better- fled the genocide committed by the Turks attested historical event is the declaration in 1915,3 and even among them its use is of Armenia as a Christian state in AD 301— dying out as they learn the language of thethe firstfirst iinn ththee worworldld tto take such a step.1 their various host countries. This Western ConcerningConcern the Scriptures, Armenian Bible was (and still is) difficult the BibleBible was first translated for people in the country of Armenia (who intointo tthehe classical Armenian speak Eastern Armenian) to understand, language,languag known as Grabar, but it is nevertheless the most accessible, inin tthehe pperiod AD 396–430 complete copy of the Scriptures which byby MesropMes Mashtots, who they have at the present time. inventedinvent the Armenian In 1831, a German missionary translated alphabetalpha in order to parts of the New Testament into Eastern produceprodu this translation. Armenian. It was then revised and the Old Gradually,Grad this form Testament was added in 1883. However, ofof ArmenianAr became it is of limited use due to developments confinedconfi to the church in the language—it does not match the and ordinary people were spoken language in current use, as the no llonger able to read it. literary language has developed beyond WhatWh further reduced the language of 1883.4 Nevertheless it thethe accessibility of these is the only complete Bible the Eastern ScripturesScriptur to the general Armenian-speaking peoples currently have publicpublic was that copiecopies were handwritten, in their own dialect, except for one that

13 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record the Georgian church commissioned soon impact on the culture of the country. after Armenia gained independence fromm ApartApart ffromrom tthehe ppoliticalolitical ssituationituation the Soviet Union in 1991. This modern producingproducing translation has not been accepted by Christians because it does not read like Scripture and its renderings exhibit a lack of spiritual discernment: hardly surprising when one considers it was a translation undertaken by secular ‘Soviet’t’ scholars using manuscripts translated from the Septuagint! In 1998 the Trinitarian Bible Society, beingng aware of the lack of readily accessible Armenian Scriptures, commissioned Ivann and Sona to revise the ancient Armeniann An Armenian village home Bible, bringing it into standard Eastern Armenian. In 1999 the Gospel according some falsefl fruit, f i the h other h main i reason to John was published, followed by the the revival was not sustained, according New Testament in 2005, and the New to Ivan, is that there was not a Bible that Testament and Psalms three years later. We people could readily understand. There trust that the present lack of an adequate was only the Western Armenian Bible, Armenian Bible will be alleviated shortly, which was very hard for them to decipher. as the Society’s revision of the entire Bible In addition, there were very few trained in Eastern Armenian is due to be published evangelists and teachers, and thus a next year, if the Lord will. deficient leadership and ministry in the churches. Many professing believers lacked The need for this Bible good teaching and as a result were weak in As can be seen from the brief historical the faith. In view of this, it is our prayerful survey of the Scriptures in Armenian, desire that, as the Society and Armenian for many years the people living in the Ministries cooperate in placing Eastern country of Armenia and those in other Armenian Scriptures in the hands of those countries whose primary language is who are desperately hungry for God’s Armenian have been without a Bible Word, the Lord would use these Scriptures that they can readily understand. Such a for His own glory and to strengthen the situation does have a practical effect on church in Armenia. the health of the church. In the immediate post-Soviet era, many The impact of the Society’s people were curious about religion, and a Armenian New Testament religious revival took place in which many It should be noted at this stage that people professed to be converted; but—as there is extreme poverty in Armenia, as Ivan informed us—something was slightly illustrated in one or two of the photos wrong with that revival. For one thing that accompany this article. There is a it was semi-political: in the Soviet era significant lack of food and fuel in this Christians were repressed, and many old landlocked country, and it is amidst Bibles and much Christian literature were such impoverished circumstances that destroyed. Furthermore, the revival did Armenian Ministries5 carry out their work not last long and there was no permanent of distributing the Scriptures and material

14 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 aid free of charge to recipients. them. Regrettably no-one was available at the time due to other commitments. Ivan shared with us a number of heart- ‘Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, warming accounts of how the Society’s that he will send forth labourers into his New Testament has been blessed to harvest’ (Matthew 9.38). precious souls; he knew of a number who have been brought to spiritual life through reading its precious message of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, for which we give thanks to the Lord. One particularly striking account concerned a lady who took much pains trying to access God’s Word using the Western Armenian Bible; eventually she managed to master the Gospels, but it was a struggle to read in this unfamiliar dialect. Then someone gave her a TBS Neww Testament. Children at Armenian She sat down and read it in one sitting over One important avenue Ministries camp a period of twenty-four hours! It turned her in which Armenian life upside down—through reading the Ministries have been able to spread whole New Testament she was brought the Good News is by holding summer to realise that God saves by grace, and camps for children and young people she was born again. This lady now goes on a special campsite in the countryside, into remote villages, in the depths of the where the children are fed and often Armenian mountains, as a colporteur provided with new shoes and clothes and distributing the book that changed her taught the Word of God. Five hundred life, with the desire that others might have New Testaments have been given out to their spiritual eyes opened as they read participating children, and it is prayerfully God’s Word. hoped that these will have an influence for good on the lives of these young people A second remarkable incident occurred and their families. when the director of the Ministries’ Armenian facility entered a shop one day The present status to make a purchase and had difficulty in Revision of the Old Testament was raising a response. Eventually someone completed in 2010 and, God willing, work emerged from the back to explain that on typesetting it will have commenced a group of ten were engaged in reading by the time this Quarterly Record has a single copy of the TBS Armenian New been issued. A time lag has arisen because Testament in the back of the shop. On it took some time to find a qualified hearing this, the director provided ten typesetter who could put the text in a copies for the group, who then asked for proper format appropriate for a Bible. This someone to expound the Scriptures to typesetter was first given the corrected 15 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record New Testament and Psalms as a priority, would proceed smoothly to a conclusion. so that these can be published at the turn Please petition the Throne of Grace that of this year. Publication of the entire Bible the Bibles, once printed, may gain a is then expected to follow in 2012, if the wide distribution within the Republic Lord will. of Armenia and elsewhere, and be instrumental in strengthening the church, Conclusion remembering that ‘All scripture is given It is a sad irony that whilst the Armenian by inspiration of God, and is profitable people are Christian in name, very many for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, do not know the Saviour. Nevertheless, the for instruction in righteousness: that the distribution of the Society’s New Testament man of God may be perfect, throughly over the past six years is dispelling some furnished unto all good works’ (2 Timothy of the ignorance concerning the Word of 3.16-17). God, and it is our prayerful desire that the Endnotes impending publication of the entire Bible will bbee uusedsed ofof the LordLord 1.1. For more information, see our articlearticle on Armenia in Quarterly RecordRecor no. 555, April to June 2001.2001 2.2. TheTh New Testament was translatedtrans into Western ArmenianArm in 1825. The Bible, translatedtran by Armenians under thethe auspices of Elias Riggs, was publishedpub in 1853, and has beenbee the standard Western ArmenianArm Bible for many years.ye 3. The 1915 genocide has neverne been admitted by Turkey.Tu However, it is thought thatth about one million ArmeniansArmenians died, and thousands fled Camp memory verse practice toto other countries,countri initially to the Middle to bring light East and then onward to the USA and other into the darkness. countries. There are 3.5 million people in Armenia 4. Making it even more inaccessible than and almost universal literacy. It is a the Western Armenian Bible of 1853! nation where people love to read. There 5. Readers interested in finding out more is therefore a very large demand for about the work of Armenian Ministries can Scriptures, and the need takes care of the contact them at Cyprus Lodge, Branches supply. It is the privilege of the Society and Lane, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, PE12 8PD, Armenian Ministries to be instruments of United Kingdom or via their website the Lord in meeting some of that demand. www.armenianministries.org.uk. It Please partner with us in your prayers should be noted that the Society does not for this work. Pray that the remaining necessarily endorse all of the activities of typesetting and proofreading work this or other organisations. 16 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 The Treasury

From the Resources Directoror

t has been very instructive to study the occasions when the couplet that forms the name of this short section of the Quarterly Record is mentioned in Scripture, together Iwith other places where money is mentioned. We are told, for example, that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil’ (1Timothy 6.10). Some, such as Achan (Joshua 7) and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), in pursuing this love and failing to bring the money into the ‘treasury of the LORD’ as commanded (Joshua 6.19, 24) or to the apostles as promised (Acts 5.2), brought about their own destruction. Yet it has pleased God that this same resource is instrumental and necessary in the work of translating, printing and distributing His own written Word. In this light, we are grieved when we are occasionally told that the business and spiritual matters of the Society should be kept separate: this cannot be right. Indeed, we find it written: ‘these words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple’ (John 8.20), and we find the Creator of the ends of the earth miraculously providing so that the tribute money could be paid for Peter and himself (Matthew 17.24–27). All the business meetings of the Society are opened and closed with prayer and we have had many encouraging answers, even over the past year. In carrying on the business affairs of the Society, we recognise that we are utterly dependant on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to aid our decisions and enable us to use the skills that we have been given and employ them in this work. We commented on the financial results for 2010 in QR596, and by the time you read this they will have been reported in the Annual Report 2010 and at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on 24th September 2011, if the Lord will. We are now far enough into 2011 to make some useful observations on the UK financial situation, which we are thankful to say is stable, and we hope to be able to deliver on or very close to the 2011 budget, subject to receipt of a couple of large legacies that are currently in legal process. Please bear up in prayer the General Committee and Senior Management as we seek to manage the Society’s finances in these challenging times and particularly as we work to achieve a balanced budget for 2012. Many people leave money or property as a legacy. As part of his legacy for the work of God, King David left Solomon not only the pattern of the temple and all its accompanying buildings and vessels, but also a treasury full of gold, silver, timber and precious stones to produce them (1 Chronicles 28.11ff). When the Lord’s people commit to leave their inheritance to be used in His name, it is ‘an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God’ (Philippians 4.18). We are deeply grateful to all who remember the

17 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record Society in their will, as this is a significant source of income to the Society, averaging around £460,000 per annum over the last ten years. Equally, we are deeply conscious each time we receive a legacy that we have one less prayerful supporter. In connection with legacies, the UK government has helpfully announced in the 2011 budget that it intends to introduce a lower rate of inheritance tax in instances in which people leave a charitable legacy of 10% or more of their estate when they die (after deducting inheritance tax reliefs and exemptions). The change is expected to apply for deaths on or after 6 April 2012. It is a matter of great thankfulness that subscriptions, general donations and collections are all up by more than 30% at the end of July 2011 compared with the same point in 2010. We are particularly grateful to our generous supporters in Canada, who have provided significant amounts of funding in recent months for specific projects such as the Farsi Bible, the French revision work, the Spanish Gospel according to John, Scripture grants to Africa and the former USSR, among others. Whilst it is perhaps naturally easier to notice and be thankful for the large donations that are given to the Society, neither do we forget ‘a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites’, of whom Christ said she ‘hath cast in more than they all’ (Luke 21.2–3). We are very conscious that much of the giving to the Society is truly sacrificial, particularly at this time of widespread economic hardship. We remain deeply thankful to all our members, supporters and friends for their partnership with us in this work, practically, financially and in prayer. We gratefully acknowledge receipt of aanonymousnonymous ggiftsifts ttotallingotalling ££10,544.7310,544.73 foforr ththee peperiodriod AAprilpril ttoo JuJunene 22011011 (M(Matthewatthew 66.4)..4). TBS Telephone Numbers Recently we found it necessary to replace our old, worn telephones with a new phone system. This change has produced several benefits, including providing departments and staff members with direct dial numbers. Therefore, along with calling through our normal number (020) 8543-7857, you may dial direct to the following. Please preface the numbers below with 020 in the UK, and with international dialling codes and 44-20 from outside the UK. Departments: Editorial 8417-8874 Operations 8417-8857 Facilities 8417-8879 Resources 8417-8854 Finance and Supporters Sales and Grants 8417-8854 8417-8860/8862/8863 Warehouse 8417-8868/8869 Staff Members: Debra Anderson 8417-8874 Philip Hopkins 8417-8873 David Broome 8417-8851 Peter Hughes 8417-8861 Andrew Clarke 8417-8858 David Larlham 8417-8857/8864 Ian Docksey 8417-8879 Louise Lynch 8417-8863 John Edwards 8417-8877 Anne Newman 8417-8862 James Galbraith 8417-8860 Michael Wade 8417-8853 Gary Hayes 8417-8869 Mark Wilson 8417-8854

18 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 The Diamond Jubilee Bible Project

Introduction the Word of God, especially amongst the As many of our readers will be aware, young. the peoples of the United Kingdom and In the English-speaking world, the 400th British Commonwealth look forward in anniversary of the original publication of the providence of God to celebrating the the Authorised (King James) Version has sixtieth anniversary next year of H. M. helped put the Bible, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. If, in the will of particularly the AV, God, she reaches this landmark, she will back into the public be only the second British monarch to do consciousness. so.1 In the secular world, preparations are In the UK, positive already far advanced to mark in a variety of coverage, by both the ways the Diamond Jubilee of her ascension religious and secular presses, to the throne. Among these, an additional has resulted in a noticeable UK national holiday has been set for openness and willingness 5 June, 2012, when there will, no doubt, be from some schools a stunning display of the pageantry and to accept offers of history associated with the British Royal the Scriptures for family. their pupils. This It is a matter of regret that the role of greater openness Scripture during the has provided fertile Queen’s Coronation ground to help make in 1953 will be HOLY BIBLE the Queen’s Diamond largely forgotten in Jubilee in 2012 an the official events unprecedented organised to mark opportunity for the her Diamond Jubilee. further distribution However, bearing in of the Scriptures in mind that the Bible general, and the AV in was called at the particular. Queen’s Coronation Furthermore, it should be noted that the ‘the most valuable The Diamond Jubilee of possession this Jubilee, as a British world affords’, the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Commonwealth Society plans to 1952 – 2012 celebration and not mark this significant Commemorative Edition simply a religious anniversary by or Christian event, seeking to capitalise may provide a upon the need for significant window of

19 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record opportunity for churches to ‘break the ice’ copy of the Word of God. and establish a relationship with schools Details for this project are in the process and other groups that may otherwise be of being finalised during the month of disinterested or even hostile to the Bible. August, but we can already advise that, The Jubilee event also overcomes God willing, there will be an inexpensive the possible objection that schools hardback Jubilee edition in the very cannot provide Bibles to the children popular Royal Ruby setting, along without also offering the with a more expensive leather- writings of other faiths, bound Pitt Minion edition. because no other Both Bibles are due faiths (or writings) to be published were involved with early in 2012 and the Queen’s more details will Coronation. In be given in the addition, the January-March Bible (at least the 2012 Quarterly New Testament) Record. was seen as an appropriate and It is encouraging profitable gift for to report that schoolchildren interest has already in 1953 and was been shown in consequently this initiative and a produced and number of churches distributed by some local authorities in have contacted the Society to seek advice the UK to commemorate the Queen’s and support as to how they can use coronation—a precedent which we hope the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee to will open doors for Scripture distribution distribute the Scriptures in their locality. in 2012. We pray that the Lord may bless this venture and the preparations now in hand Recognising all these factors, the Society to produce these special editions. May He is keen to support churches and Christian also hear the prayers of His people for the groups in the work of distributing the Queen and all those in authority over us. Scriptures more widely during the coming year. Our desire is to encourage and assist churches and other Christian organisations Endnote to contact schools, residential care 1. Queen Victoria being the first, homes, army barracks, prisons and other 20 June 1837–22 January 1901: 63 years, institutions in their neighbourhoods, seven months and three days (216 days). and to enable them to offer free copies ‘If Elizabeth II is still on the throne on of a Jubilee edition of the Authorised 10 September 2015…she will then, (King James) Version of the Scriptures. metaphorically speaking, be crowned It is planned, if the Lord will, that these as the longest-serving sovereign in the distinctive editions will be supplied by the 1,000 year history of the British monarchy’ Society at an economic price to facilitate (‘Queen Elizabeth II marks another their widespread distribution to many who milestone’, BBC News UK, 12 May 2011 would not otherwise receive or accept a [www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13363504]).

20 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011

and the DAN BIBLE by C. P. Hallihan

Introduction Among the Mandé peoples in Liberia, the Dan (Gio) have had some Scripture portions in their own language since the 1940s and a New Testament since 1981. This New Testament, published by the TBS as the ‘Gio New Testament’ Part of the need expressed by the for a number of years, was the work of Liberian team is that we should use their the missionaries and translators Tom preferred designation of the people and June Jackson, American husband as Dan, no longer as Gio: thus, the and English wife, residents in Liberia for Dan (Gio) project. Work in this project many years until they is moving on with the revised text were murdered on currently being checked by the Society, the mission field so a ‘Country Article’ seemed a good in March 1990. step to take. At the time of their Geographical deaths, the Jacksons Placement were in Africa’s oldest independent discussion republic, declared so in with TBS as 1847, Liberia is on the to linguistic west coast of Africa. Its and textual adjacent neighbours are revisions of their Sierra Leone to the west New Testament. (along the Mano and Subsequently, a translation Morro Rivers), Guinea team from the Liberia Inland to the north and Côte Mission (DALITA: Dan Literacy d’Ivoire on the east (along and Translation Association) has been the Cavalla River). The Atlantic working with TBS towards this revision. Ocean is to the south and mangrove

21 swswamps the modern map on page 21 does more llineine Liberia’s plainly show the northern highlands, ccoast.o especially the Nimba Range where the AmAmong Jacksons lived, laboured and were ththe fauna killed. llivingiv in tthishis geograpgeographicallyh Mandé people and dhdiverse country are chimpanzees, pygmy hippos and crocodiles, and the Dan the rather unusual zebra antelope. The Mandé are a large ethnic group According to the census of 2008, the (twenty-seven million plus) in West population is 3,476,608 people; nearly Africa, speaking various Mandé two-thirds live in rural areas, in an overall languages. Since the 13th century, area of 111,369 km2 (43,000 sq.mi.). In most profess to follow Islam, ranging terms of latitude it lies about 6º north from orthodox Sunni Islam to a simple of the Equator, the same as central ‘cultural’ Islam, whilst maintaining Colombia, Venezuela, the Maldives and aspects of traditional religions. the south coast of Sri Lanka. Liberia is These Mandé peoples had spread in the central part of what was known from Central Sahara, and had been as the Pepper Coast: the melegueta founders of the great Ghana and Mali pepper, a rare spice in high demand Empires. They were among the first to

throughout Europe also known as the producedll stone settlement civilisations grain of paradise, grew there, hence an in Africa.2 ‘Desertification’, the steady alternative name, the Grain Coast.1 encroachment of the Sahara, had This second map dates from 1736, one affected these lands in part from hundred years before Liberia, as such, 2000 BC, but between 200 BC and existed. It is a better indication of the AD 100 the desert expanded area of the Mandé Dan peoples, though significantly, and the population

22 GioG themselves were always aware ofo being the Dan, with a very strong senses of having originated in Israel before being in Guinea and Mali. As thet histories began to move from oral traditiont to written records, Gio was thet prevailing title, but the secretary ofo the translation team in Liberia tells us that ‘…as our history approaches headed revitalization, there was constant appeal south and west toward fromf the Gio prominent citizens that the the Atlantic coast. name Gio was a name of an individual, Mandé languages then spread not the tribe, and that it must be given throughout the region, and Mandé its original name “Dan”’. As a result, any groups are found along the Atlantic time the name of the tribe is written coast of West Africa. Using modern in this article, it will be in both ways as country names, north to south, they Dan/Gio, because most of our histories are in Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, and writings have carried Gio and many Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, people have known the tribe as Gio.4 Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, In terms of modern history the Dan/ Benin and Nigeria; paralleling these Gio, as Mandé, are traditionally Muslim, inland are Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and usually observing ritual washing and Niger. European colonisation greatly daily prayers, but very few wear Arab affected Mandé life. Constant wars dress, or women the veil. Mandé social seriously depleted their numbers and relationships enduring amongst the led to increased reliance on Atlantic Dan/Gio are the sanankuya,5 and their trade. Artificial colonial boundaries highlyg secret yet pervasively followed, dividing the Mandédé iinfluentialnflu ‘orders’, Poro for population without regard memenn and Sande or Bundu for to their language and wwomen.om 6 Involvement is begun culture. withwith initiation rites at puberty, Amongst the Mandé, butbut continues throughout the Dan people had lifelife as a powerful and fearful eventually settled chiefly directiondire of tribe, clan or in the northern, more villagevill matters, at every level. mountainous regions, of ForFo instance, if the poro chief, what we know as Liberia maskedm as he would be to and the Côte d’Ivoire. representre a spirit or devil, Traditionally a warlike peoplele placesp a taboo on a man’s in long-standing conflict cropcr or on his sweetheart, with other African tribes, there haveh thath man would not dare to proceed been frequent outbreaks of war with with either a harvest or engagement: a indigenous populations along the problem for everyone, even the national coast.3 Amongst their most famous government. The Dan masks, collected fighters was a man named Gio (‘hurt’ and displayed as art in the West, are or ‘stab’), and so the people whom in fact part of the cult equipment of he led came to be called ‘the Gio’. The these societies, used to maintain both

23 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record secrecy and fear. You will understand the William Tolbert (1913–1980) was shot opposition to the Gospel of Christ that during a coup led by Master Sergeant such societies present. Samuel Kanyon Doe (1951–1990). Doe’s vision was to share power more equally between ‘Americo-Liberians’ and native Liberia: a snapshot Africans, but Doe In 1822 groups of freed American himself was slaves were landed in the region7 to killed in initiate a colony. This had been agreed 1990 in the with the indigenous peoples by the beginning American Colonialization Society. Based of a fierce on ‘liberation’, the country was to be war. Civil Liberia. In 1847 Liberia declared itself wars plagued an independent republic, and Joseph Liberia Jenkins Roberts, a settler from Virginia, throughout was the first president8 (1848–1856). the 1990s, TThe 1920s saw heavy investment by the producing Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of an estimated the United States.9 When rubber prices 750,000 fell in the 1960s and ’70s, the economy refugees fleeingng inevitably suffered, but rubber is still the to neighbouringing main cash crop. Staple food is rice, and countries, most food is imported. Iron ore is Liberia’s dangerously destabilising the whole principal export, along with diamonds region. This devastated the economy yet and gold. Timber, too, is a significant again, and with so many of the business export, but most industries principally people fleeing, economic rebuilding still serve the national and local market. looks a bleak prospect. TheT road network is largely unpaved Malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis and and railways are mainly used for ore sleeping sickness are endemic. transportation. Monrovia (named after Education is free and compulsory American President James Monroe) is the from the ages of six to sixteen and capital city and principal port, with two there are several institutions of higher major airports nearby. education; nevertheless, literacy levels Descendants of the American freed are low. Although there are three large slaves became a minority of the language groups—Mandé, Kwa and population, although they held political West Atlantic—English is the official power until 1980 when President language.10

2424 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011

To add to their difficulties Liberia is „ eight years older than suffering from the effects of a dramatic Adoniram Judson, series of floods this century. A map of the Burma. southern Atlantic Ocean will show that Serving Christ’s Gospel the narrowest part is between Brazil’s beyond America eastern bulge at Recife, and the West was where his heart African Coast at Liberia. In Atlantic Ocean belonged, and terms this is a ‘choke point’. The summer it seems almost months of recent years have seen wave inevitable that in 1821 after wave of storms gnawing away he and a small group, the Liberian coast, tumbling hundreds already constituted of houses into the sea.11 Liberia’s together as a church government has warned that unless the for the purpose, sailed international community helps, coastal for Liberia. Although this towns will have to watch helplessly as was in connection with streets are inundated and people forced the American Colonization to move inland; the country will be Society, Carey’s passion was to preach compelled to alter its very shape in order Christ—the first US Baptist missionary to accommodate the sea’s changing to Africa. ‘I am an African,’ he had said patterns. in a parting sermon in Richmond, ‘and…I feel bound to labour for my Liberia: Mission suffering race’;13 he thus fulfilled his It is impossible to speak of the Gospel grandmother’s dream that he would in Liberia without mention of Lott return to Africa, taking Christ to her Carey12 (sometimes Cary). He was born own people. into slavery near Richmond, Virginia, On their arrival they soon constructed USA, in 1780, and turned to Christ a building for the Providence Baptist in 1807, becoming a member of the Church.14 Lott Carey was killed in a racially mixed First Baptist Church of gunpowder explosion in 1828, but Richmond. A diligent worker, he was his witness and commitment is a able to purchase freedom for himself continuing and significant part of and his family by 1813; he became Liberian and West African Christianity. active in preaching, and helped form There are schools and missionary the Richmond African Missionary training colleges in Liberia and in USA, Society. proud to bear his name. It is worth recalling that this was the There was something of a revival growing time of Protestant mission under the ministry of his successor work: Lott Carey was at Providence, but church work „ twenty years younger than William was directed towards the settlers, Carey, India and not much attention was paid to evangelising the indigenous „ one year older than Henry Martin, peoples. Many of the thousands of Persia colonists arriving in Liberia over the „ two years older than Robert next decades were already affiliated Morrison, China with denominations and continued

25 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record or began their own denominational Bible translation with the production churches in the new settlement. The of Ruth, Job, Daniel and Jonah, a first Methodist missionary came in forty-four-page translation in the Gio/ 1833; the Basel Evangelical Society Dan language published by WEC briefly sent missionaries (1828–1832); in 1959. These labours can then be Presbyterian and Congregationalist followed through chapters of Exodus workers arrived in 1833, the African to Deuteronomy (135 pages, 1960) Episcopal Church in 1835, the and Genesis (130 pages, 1962). Soon (American) Episcopal Church in 1836, afterward, work began on the New and Lutherans began a work in 1860. Testament. TThere were fields ripe to harvest Around this time Mrs Jackson became waiting ready in the older parts of the ill, and there was a return to North land, but the reaping did not come Carolina for treatment and recovery. until the later part of the 1800s. Fresh Tom Jackson took a lively part in the waves of African Americans arriving ministry at a church, Lillington, North after the American Civil War and Carolina, leaving a savour that lingered the ensuing emancipation of slaves long after his return to Liberia, directing seemed to generate a vision for the others to Christ and to the mission field. indigenous people. Two black American His wife Billie did not recover, but died denominations, African Methodist while in the USA. Episcopal Church (1873) and AME Tom subsequently married an English Zion Church (1876), sent missionaries. woman, June Hobley, and it is this Pentecostal missionaries came in Mr. and Mrs. Jackson who became 1908 and worked extensively among involved with the TBS and the Dan/Gio the Grebo peoples of the interior, New Testament. An announcement developing three Bible schools to train in Quarterly Record no. 474 (January indigenous pastors. The Baptist Mid- to March 1981, p. 3) reads, ‘After Missions commenced their work in many years of devoted labour on the 1931, and WEC International (formerly translation of the New Testament Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ) into the language of the Gio tribe in in 1938 (founding the Liberia Inland Liberia in West Africa, Mr. and Mrs. T. Mission church). In 1954 the Sudan Jackson of Baptist Mid Missions recently Interior Mission (SIM) founded ELWA completed this stage of the work’. The (Eternal Love Winning Africa), the first item concluded with these words, mission radio station in Africa. Before ‘The Gio New Testaments are eagerly being twice destroyed in the recent awaited by our fellow labourers in West civil wars, it broadcast in forty-four Africa, and it will be the prayer of many languages to all of Africa and the that there will be spiritual fruit where Middle East.15 the seed is sown’. The Bible Work There is every reason to believe that Now we return to Thomas Jackson— such prayers were heard and continue not the American Civil War figure, to be answered. Setting, printing, but one equally heroic on a different binding and distribution of the Gio battlefield. He and his first wife, Billie, New Testament occupied another were missionaries in Liberia, and Tom’s seven years. You may want to ask, name first appears in connection with ‘Why so long?’ Think of the distances 26 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 involved—Liberia, London, North had said in a letter to TBS dated Carolina—and the complete absence 26 January 1990, received 14 February, of digital technology for transmission just six weeks before the killing: ‘[The of documents needing proofing, New Testament] is overdue for revision. revising and correcting, and all this in a My own knowledge of the language language and script wholly new.16 The has expanded considerably’; and of the ninety-six carton consignment of Gio workers he reports, ‘Give them their New Testaments was despatched from due, they were scholars and applied TBS in London in May 1981, arriving themselves wholly to research and complete (not always the case!) the study of various texts, but they just same month in Monrovia. There were didn’t have a wide knowledge of Gio’. reports of the first packet ‘melting away There was a resolve to ‘fix’ a couple of like snow in June’. serious points in the text, and go ahead Tom and June Jackson resumed their with a much needed reprint, and the labours among the Dan/Gio tribe, last letter that TBS received from the and also set themselves to the task of Jacksons was to thank the Society for translating the whole Old Testament the reprint. The New Testaments were in the language. This was not to be. despatched to Liberia; letters from Associated Press published this bulletin others came afterwards, asking for any on 29 March 1990: ‘U.S. Missionary remaining copies to be sent out. In an and His Wife Are Reported Slain in example of the Widow’s Mite, in the Liberia. Villagers today found the 1990s, with many Liberians living in bodies of a missionary couple slain exile in Côte d’Ivoire, the mission with in Liberia’s eastern Nimba County, which the Jacksons had worked sent where Government troops battling not one, but two cheques, comprising rebels have killed hundreds of civilians, nearly US$2,000 donated by Liberian diplomats said. The bodies of the Rev. refugees for the printing and Tom Jackson, an American, and his distribution of the Gio New Testament. British wife, June, were found in the The letter accompanying the second village where they lived at Bahn, the cheque noted: diplomats said… The slain couple The situation in Liberia seems to be belonged to the United States-based improving… We still have some of the United Liberian Inland Church and had Gio New Testaments with us in Côte 17 lived in Liberia for 40 years’. d’Ivoire and are waiting for peace to This was a great loss to all concerned, come before we transport everything family, mission, home churches, friends, into Liberia. For the past seven years and TBS. Alongside the work on the Old we have stationed ourselves in Côte Testament, which Tom Jackson and his d’Ivoire near the border to Liberia team had begun translating, TBS and so that we can help our Christians the Mission had been re-assessing the from inside. We were able to run New Testament. It was harmoniously, some short term Bible study classes graciously acknowledged that the for our church leaders and it proved Testament had strayed from the textual to be beneficial to the church. We foundation of the Received Text, not are hoping to continue our ministry wilfully, but noticeably. Regarding the in Côte d’Ivoire until the situation in Gio/Dan New Testament Tom Jackson Liberia is safe for us to enter. 27 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record Following the deaths of the Jacksons, (1980–2002), who started Bible ssupporters were asked to pray that the translation work with Tom and Billie Lord would raise up new translators Jackson in 1958 at the Bahn Inland tto carry on their work, and we are now Mission, Nimba County, Liberia. After the pleased to include a photograph of the fierce civil war in Liberia that took the present team (DALITA) in Liberia working lives of the Jacksons had subsided, Mr. oon the Dan Bible in connection with Dunah felt an urgent need to continue Liberia Inland Mission and TBS. Work thus their work, and that continues to this day. ffar has focused on tthe New Testament. Earlier this year, the present team finished a draft of the revised New Testament after a number of years’ labour. TTheir work over the past twelve months has been helped cconsiderably by tthe provision of a laptop computer, but internet ccommunications aare somewhat unreliable (by Western standards), which The focus of DALITA is Dan/Gio translation team has meant that the exchange of files spreading the gospel of between Liberia and TBS in London has Jesus Christ through literacy programmes been anything but smooth. Nevertheless, and Bible translation. DALITA is actively tthe draft revision is in the process of engaged in conducting literacy classes being assessed by the Society’s editorial aimed at teaching Liberian people how ddepartment for its faithfulness to the to read and write the Dan/Gio language. Received Text. It is anticipated that Toward this end, many teaching aids tthis particular phase of the work will have been produced by the organisation, ccontinue for some months, with the aim including primers, graded readers and oof correcting any errors identified and calendars. Bible translation has been improving as necessary the faithfulness mainly centred on Gospels, tracts and oof the Dan text to the underlying Greek. the ongoing work on the Dan/Gio New Testament. Although the Society TheT Translation Association has been able to provide some help in the way of computers, funding for in Liberia the group is mainly from contributions TheT Dan Literacy and Translation from Christians in Liberia; even though AAssociation (DALITA) was founded in the money is insufficient to produce 1997 by the Rev. David K. Dunah, the materials as DALITA would want, they fformer National Assistant Secretary continue thankful to God for His grace GGeneral of the United Inland Church that has kept this group of volunteers

28 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 focussed on the task before them. the Mali Empire, c. 1236. A French observer describes it as ‘Plaisanter pour éviter les conflits’—‘Joking to avoid conflict’ (or ‘Pleasantries prevent punch-ups’). Conclusion 6. See Robert Lavenda and Emily Schultz, ‘Secret Societies in ‘Many, O LORD my God, are thy Western Africa’, Oxford University Press USA, wonderful works which thou hast done, www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195189766/ and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: student_resources/Supp_chap_mats/Chapt07/ they cannot be reckoned up in order Secret_Soc_West_Africa/?view=usa. unto thee: if I would declare and speak 7. The slave trade was still going on, and British and of them, they are more than can be American naval vessels were operating off these coasts to numbered.’ (Psalm 40.5) intercept slavers and land their pitiful cargo in Liberia (US) or Sierra Leone (UK). Isn’t this glimpse of just one of our God’s 8. Joseph Jenkins Roberts (15 March 1809–24 February great works a magnificent testimony? 1876) was also to be the seventh President of Liberia The Bible in English brought about the (1872–1876) and the second governor (1841–1848). Born agitation in Britain and America that free in an evangelical black family in Norfolk, Virginia, led to a wholesale, if slow, change of Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829. He opened a trading attitudes to slavery. Liberia and Sierra store in Monrovia, and later engaged in politics: hence Leone were brought into being as Roberts International Airport, Robertsport and various similar countries where freed slaves could take street names. up ‘home’ life. They brought the Bible, in 9. Liberian rubber was vital for Allied victory in World War II. African hands, to hitherto unreached 10. There are about sixteen major ethnic groups, speaking African peoples. Christianity was now thirty-four distinct languages. also ‘free’ in West Africa, and remains a 11. In one place the fresh-water treatment plant was powerful force there. The next need? inundated in sea-water. The Bible again, in new languages; and it 12. It really is a magnificent life and testimony, especially with should not surprise nor dismay anyone regard to the beginnings of West African Christianity. Something familiar with the history of the Scriptures even less than a snapshot is all that can be given here. that the Dan/Gio Bible in Liberia is 13. Leslie Hammond, ‘Lott Carey: Pioneer African American attested in the blood of martyrs. Missionary’, PRISM, volume 11, number 2, March/April 2004. Praise God, and pray for rich fruit to His 14. The building was used for Liberia’s first Legislative Assembly and Providence became revered as ‘The glory. Cornerstone of the Nation’. Endnotes: 15. Some of the information in this section is derived from 1. English explorers of the 18th century also referred to the articles on Liberia and on Lott Carey in the Evangelical region as the Windward Coast, because of notoriously choppy Dictionary of World Missions (Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Baker waters off the coast of Cape Palmas, the tip of southern Books, 2000). Liberia, very difficult for European ships to navigate. 16. I sometimes wonder how T. H. Brown avoided the 2. The Nile regions and Ethiopia were the earliest. attention of the security services at Heathrow Airport as he accomplished yet another time-constrained conclave with 3. This is true of Sierra Leone also, and a serious factor in missionaries and translators passing through on their way recent civil wars in these nations, aided by troops, weapons to or from their field of service. And even more: the handing and training from Libya, across the Sahara. over of precious film or proofs of the translation in hand! 4. P. M. Gbieu, internal TBS email, 21 June 2011. 17. Associated Press, 28 March 1990. Later reports from the 5. Those in a sanankuya relationship can treat one another as mission speak of thousands being shot. They reported that if cousins or close family members, exchanging familiar jokes, June died instantly, but Tom staggered towards the rebels, humorous insults and practical jokes. This essential element looking upwards and crying ‘Father, forgive them for they of Mandé/West African society was reputedly established know not what they do’. as a civic duty in the Kurukan Fuga, the oral Constitution of

29 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record

The Word of God Among All Nations

Although certain phrases and expressions used in these letters may not be doctrinally accurate or in correct English, we reproduce the letters essentially as received, knowing that the Lord is using His Word to the glory of His Name and the furtherance of His Kingdom as the Scriptures are distributed among the nations of the world..

EuropeE

FromF Piatra Neamt, Romania:R GreetingsG in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from the north-east of Romania! We pray for you to have a wonderful new year with the Lord, a year blessed by God in many ways as you work to outreach the people with the Word of Life. Here in Piatra Neamt we continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ our Saviour to others. Recently the church choir, the youth choir and the children made Distributing Romanian Words of Life special programs celebrating Jesus’s birth, not only at the church, but also in From a mission in Germany: other places in the town, to friends, at the I received yesterday a very orphanages, and in the villages around, encouraging report from some and we gave Words of Life on calendars. Italian missionaries. The English Bibles We started this year with a week of prayer. arrived and they had immediately a Each evening in the first week of the year wonderful chance to hand them out to we gathered at the church and prayed English speaking African Christians. They together for the Lord to give blessings had to leave everything behind them upon His children over 2011 year and for a when they entered the boat to cross over dedicated personal life to Him. We hope to to Europe, even their beloved KJVs. The do this again in 2012. boat was rescued in last minute. And the first thing that was offered to them was a KJV Bible. What a great joy they felt!

30 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 FromF Salisbury, Wiltshire: found the view most delightful and the TheT church here decided to pay church interesting. My wife stayed in the car enjoying the view, whilst I went to look arounda the church. On entering the churchc I found two middle-aged people lookingl at the bookstall. I said to them ‘Anything‘A worth reading?’ They replied, ‘We‘ don’t know’. They followed me downd the aisle into the chancel, when I heardh them say one to another, ‘It’s not here’.h I said to them ‘What’s not here?’ TheyT said, ‘The Bible. There’s no Bible on thet lectern’. I said, ‘Can I can help you? I’mI a retired Christian pastor’. ‘Yes, you can.c We are both seeking God.’ Seeking Fisherton Street, Salisbury God! I couldn’t believe my ears! They went for this billboard to appear in Fisherton on to say they had heard about the 400th Street, Salisbury, on the way to the Railway anniversary of the Authorised Version and Station. We pray that it will draw people’s wanted to read it! We walked down the attention to God’s Word and also to our aisle and through the churchyard, having Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. [Ed.: This a rich conversation about the things of poster was designed and produced by God. On reaching my car I gave them some the church concerned, and is not of a sort Gospel tracts and pointed out the way available from or planned by the Society. of salvation. I asked them, ‘Do you go to It is instead an excellent example of what church?’ They said ‘Oh, no’. I pointed out can be achieved by individual Christian some churches where they lived where churches and organisations.] they would hear the Gospel (hard task in these days). Before we parted company From Guildford, Surrey, England: they consented to me praying with them. I thought you might be interested to I prayed they might be saved and led to a see the floral display at Guildford Castle church where they would be taught God’s grounds. G A represents George Abbott, Word. On returning home, I sent them an one of the KJB translators who was born Authorised Version Bible. in Guildford (promoted to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611) and is buried in Holy Trinity church, Guildford. From Kendal, Cumbria, England: Visiting the town of Kendal during the spring of this year, which we have done for the best part of twenty years, we found ourselves on a road leading out of the town which we’d never been on before. After travelling for several miles we saw a sign to a church and viewpoint. We decided to take this turning and we Floral display at Guildford Castle

31 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record After a few weeks we had a letter from From south London: these dear people thanking us very warmly A friend was on a train one day and it for the Bible, and saying, ‘We are studying broke down. While he was still on the train the Bible together and learning more waiting, he noticed one of our large posters and more as we go along. We believe our at the station and through that poster, he meeting was not a coincidence: that day became a Christian. Unfortunately, I don’t has set us upon the path to finding God!’ know what the text was or which station it Correspondence still continues. Ask your was, but I thought it was a very interesting readers to pray that if they are not already and encouraging story. saved, then very soon they will be. From Northern Ireland: We were delighted when we were able to get into the next block of flats. Inside these flats we met a lovely African lady, very nicely dressed, really smart looking, cleaning and dusting the hall stairway. We gave her a TBS New Testament. She was so delighted she got a little tearful as she said, ‘This is of the Lord! It just shows you how the Lord is looking after us’. She was such a lovely lady. She asked us to pray for her twenty-eight year old Cornerstone Bookshop after daughter, Rosalind, who had the riots and looting health problems, and we said we would (and later when we had finished for the From Lavender Hill, London: day we did pray for her daughter). This lady Attached is a picture I took of Cornerstone obviously knew and loved the Lord. As we bookshop on the way home and as you will see the repairs are already in the process following the rioting and looting of last week. I suspect some general community scheme has gone into operation because these repairs have gone swiftly into place A all over Clapham Junction. The whole Scripture area was teeming with people obviously poster looking at the damage, along with a large at police presence. But we also see people Norwood Station, working together to do the repairs. It’s not London often we see a World War 2 atmosphere with folk pulling together but it seems that we have some of it here in a measure.

32 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 went on upstairs she thanked us again and table. Some people knew what we were said, ‘You don’t know how much this is a doing and had heard of the many different blessing for me; I have a Bible at home but celebrations going on up and down the country to do with the KJV’s anniversary. There seemed to be such a hunger coming from churchgoing people for the Word of God. Some wanted to share their testimony, others wanted to find out all about the different translations, many people took booklets, tracts, etc., and we also gave away three Bibles. The Lord just opened the way for us to be a witness for Him. We give thanks and praise to the Lord for that! And now we look forward to the next event coming up later in the year!

AfricaA

FromF Kenya: I ggot a letter the other day from a formerfo Bible college student with African lady with New Testament his plea for Bibles. The letter is so typical of the pleas I get. There seems to be such a dearth of Bibles in this country. I think it is too big and heavy to carry with me so many of them are because of all the new I am so happy to have this, thank you so churches springing up everywhere. And I much!’ She let me take a photo of her and keep in mind perhaps in the future there she is holding up the New Testament. We is going to be a real dearth of the Word also gave her a Hebrew-English New Testament to pass on to a Jewish person whom the Lord led across her path. She said she would be glad to do that and we know she would too. From Truro, Cornwall, England: The Lord really blessed us over the weekend with the KJV celebration. He drew lots of interesting people to us. We had quite a few of the clergy who were very interested to find out what we were doing; TBS materials at Truro stand they also took books, etc., from off the

33 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record of God here, if missionaries are forced out FromF Ghana: or entry is denied to new ones, or if Islam takes over, or the country descends into SincereS greetings to you in our chaos at the next election. Whatever, there Redeemer’sRe precious Name. Please must be some reason why the appeals I have enclosed a photo of the distribution for Scriptures are so continuous and so of the Bibles. However, I also minister to insistent. One of our lady students in my the young offenders at the school where church history class came to me the other several of them have come to repentance day to tell me that the Bible I had given and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I also her for her brother, was not taken by him, distributed the Bibles to individuals in the but it went to someone else, who loves church who needed them. Thank you very it so much and has come to believe. She much and may the Lord continually bless wanted me to know that. So I am praying you exceedingly abundantly. with you all at TBS. FromF Imo State, Nigeria: IslamIs in north-west Nigeria hash grown up by an amazing 700%00% sincei 1990. In the urban area, Islam has become a very popular social fashion, which makes it very difficult for any other religion to penetrate the IsIslamic stronghold. But today ththe stronghold is being broken ththrough your Bibles and literature. WWe distributed free of charge to ppatients in hospitals, in retirement hhomes to people deserted by rrelatives,e to old folks who have no rrelativese or friends, leprosy centres, eetc.—the Scriptures have opened a new door for the gospel in this IsIslamic stronghold. Praise God, we hhave established two Bible study ccentres with over sixty abiding sosouls serving in various churches aand ministry activities. FromF Lagos, Nigeria: ToT God be the glory, great things HeH has done. I hereby appreciate anda say a big thank you to TrinitarianT Bible Society for the ScripturesS sent to me. I pray that theth Society will continue to grow in Jesus’sJe name, amen. The Scriptures willw be distributed accordingly RubyRb BiblditibtdiGhBibles distributed in Ghana anda I will write again to inform

34 Issue Number: 597 – October to December 2011 you of the blessings upon the receivers. I Please send new edition Bibles and New commend the Society for their efforts to Testaments, posters with calendar parcel. spread the Word of God. I know the Society will not rest until there is a Bible in every From Sriperumbudur, South India: home throughout the world. Thank you for your support for the Bibles in our surrounding area five colleges and two FromF Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: medical colleges. Those college boys and I ama living in Addis Ababa and girls are coming to church. We are reaching byb now I have attained sixty the students and young people in so many years off age. I have established a business companies and job work. We need more company and living out of its proceeds. Bibles to distribute to unsaved youths. We I had no request about a spiritual affair await your kindly reply and support for our at any time in the past. I had developed ministry. a presentation denying the existence of God and the spiritual world. Despite that I had money and pleasure, I was impiety from inside. In the meantime, I had got TheT Americas the chance to acquaint with a Christian at a wedding ceremony. He called and FromF Greenville, IL, USA: found me and taught me about religious things. God miraculously opened my heart Hello.H I am currently serving a deeply and I determined to study Bible fifteen-yearfi sentence in prison. I willingly. Then I forego my nothingness am in need of a Bible, and if at all possible life and secular knowledge, and I accepted one with large print. My eyes are very bad. Jesus as the Saviour of my soul. It means I I would truly appreciate it if you could help have become a Christian, confirming that me. I would also like for you to please pray I am inheritor of God’s kingdom. I received for my wife, who is fighting cancer. Bible from the Christian brother so that I can have understanding. He also told me From Saraland, AL, USA: that the Bibles are sent from Trinitarian We would like to officially thank everyone Bible Society. I am now freed from all the laboring at the Trinitarian Bible Society. imprisonments. Despite my husband being The generous grant of such a large amount separated from me due to death about a year ago, I am happy in Christ.

India

FromF Kerala, India: WeW pray for you. Bibles, posters,p calendars are very useful and helpful to the people and this ministry. We gave Bibles to English medium school students. Classic Reference Bibles for children in India

35 Trinitarian Bible Society – Quarterly Record of literature for our ministry to seamen is ministry which He has placed in your hands very much appreciated. We trust the Lord and laid on your hearts. will supply your every need as you labor for the Lord and give you a bountiful spiritual harvest for His glory. From Matanzas, Cuba: It is a joy for me to greet you in the name of our Lord and at the same time thank you for such a fantastic parcel. Thanks to God and to you, who have been the human instrument for so much pleasing, that I could Muslim lady receives an Arabic New Testament receive the Holy Bible in the English language, as I requested. I am From São Paulo, Brazil: profoundly grateful for this; without your Attached are photos of people help I would not have been able to acquire who received Bibles and New one. May God bless you abundantly and Testaments. Portuguese Bibles were make you prosper in this marvellous given to new converts and to visitors to our church on various occasions. All received the Scriptures with much gladness and satisfaction. One is a Lebanese Muslim lady who received a New Testament in Arabic. Although not a believer, she received it with respect, as the Muslims respect and reverence the Arabic Bible. Many thanks for the Scriptures you sent. Through them, we are being blessed.

Portuguese Bible for a Brazilian convert

36 Trinitarian Bible Society

International Headquarters International Branches Tyndale House, Australian Branch Dorset Road, President: Mr. M. F. Stuart National Secretary: Mr. A. Brown London, Trinitarian Bible Society (Australia), G.P.O.Box 777 SW19 3NN, Sydney 2001, Australia England Tel.: 1300 303 827 Fax: 1300 783 827 email: [email protected] Telephone: (020) 8543 7857 Brazilian Branch Facsimile: (020) 8543 6370 President: The Rev. Dr. T. L. Gilmer General Secretary: Mr. H. Gilmer email: [email protected] Sociedade Bíblica Trinitariana do Brasil, website: www.tbsbibles.org Rua Julio de Castilhos, 108/120 Belenzinho Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm 03059-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil Tel.: (11) 2693-5663 Fax: (11) 2695-3635 English Charity Number: 233082 email: [email protected] Scottish Charity Number: SC038379 Canadian Branch V.A.T. Registration Number: GB 215 9219 67 General Secretary: Mr. A. Stoutjesdyk, B.Ed., M.Ed. Office Manager: Mr. J. van Huigenbos Auditors: Trinitarian Bible Society (Canada) Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet 9128 Young Road, 5 Robin Hood Lane, Chilliwack, B.C., V2P 4R4, Canada Sutton, Tel.: (604) 793-2232 Fax: (604) 793-2262 Surrey, email: [email protected] SM1 2SW New Zealand Branch Solicitors: Secretary: Mr. U. Haringa Bates, Wells & Braithwaite Trinitarian Bible Society (New Zealand), 2-6 Cannon Street, 17 Heatherlea Street, London, P.O. Box 740, Gisborne, New Zealand EC4M 6YA Tel. & Fax: 06-863-3700 email: [email protected] Bankers: Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Ltd. U.S.A. Branch Arbuthnot House, General Secretary: Mr. W. Greendyk, B.A. 20 Ropemaker Street, Trinitarian Bible Society (U.S.A.) London, EC2Y 9AR 927 Alpine Commerce Park, Sterling Account No.: 71529601 Sort Code: 30-13-93 Suite 100, Grand Rapids, Swift ID Code: ARBUGB2L Michigan 49544, U.S.A. Euro Account No.: 31529601 Tel.: (616) 735-3695 Fax: (616) 785-7237 IBAN Euro Account No.: GB19 ARBU 3003 0831 5296 01 email: [email protected] To publish and distribute the Holy Scriptures throughout the world in many languages.

To promote Bible translations which are accurate and trustworthy, conforming to the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and the Greek Textus Receptus of the New Testament, upon which texts the English Authorised Version is based.

To be instrumental in bringing light and life, through the Gospel of Christ, to those who are lost in sin and in the darkness of false religion and unbelief.

To uphold the doctrines of reformed Christianity, bearing witness to the equal and eternal deity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, One God in three Persons.

To uphold the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

For the Glory of God and the Increase of His Kingdom through the circulation of Protestant or uncorrupted versions of the Word of God.

For introductory literature and catalogue please write to the Society at the address given ISSN 0049-4712 Tyndale House, Dorset Road, London, SW19 3NN, England 9 770049 471000 email: [email protected] www.tbsbibles.org