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It is interesting to look back at the nineteenth century and read about pioneering Bible Society activity throughout the world. This month’s extracts from the annual report of the British and Foreign Bible Society (founded in 1804) concern Bible translation in India and Tahiti. |
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“I conceive you will
be glad to learn that the Gujarattee Scriptures are eagerly sought after in
this place.
The second of last month being cocoa-nut day, viz. the anniversary of presenting
offerings of cocoa-nuts to the God of the Waters, immense multitudes of people
were assembled from all quarters on the banks of the Tapee to present their
offerings to the river.
This being a good opportunity for giving away the Scriptures, I felt anxious, before the day arrived, to know what course to pursue, in order best to accomplish this object. My house being on the bank of the river and at a place to which great numbers resort on this day, as soon as the people collected, about half past three o’clock p.m., I opened my study window, which faces the river. When the people saw that I had books to give away, they immediately came to receive them, and I gave away, in the course of that afternoon, about eight hundred copies of parts of the Gujarattee New Testament. In this way the Word of God is circulating far and wide among the people.
From that day I have had many persons calling on me daily from different parts of this extensive city and the neighbouring country to receive the word of God.”
Extract from a letter from the Rev William Fyvie, Surat, 2 September 1822 (from 19th BFBS Report, 1823)
“In Taiarabu (the peninsula of Tahiti) we have sold 250 Bibles for 500 dollars. We need quite as many more in Taiarabu. It is most delightful to see the insuperable thirst of our people for the Bible. While briny tears in abundance flow from those who are non-suited — and they refuse to take their necessary food in consequence — those who get the Bible leap for joy, kiss the book, press it to their breast, and say, “Now my eyes will close at night; now I will try to get one for my son.”
Some have travelled all around Tahiti on foot in quest of a Bible; some have sold their beds; and others have borrowed, at high interest, to obtain the Bible. My daughter, Isabella, has a Bible class, in which are found children, grey-headed men and married people of all ages.”
Extract from a letter from the Rev John M. Orsmond, Tahiti, 19 August 1841 (from 39th BFBS Report, 1843)
(WR 355/10 - 11.00)