Bible-Making | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1885

Bible-Making.

Many of our readers are somewhat familiar with the work of the American Bible Society. The following extract from the New York Tribune gives some interesting statistics of the magnitude of the work. It should have at least the interest and good wishes of every Christian reader:—

“Just above Cooper Institute (New York City) stands a six-story building, the home and workshop of the American Bible Society. Plain in architectural design and unobtrusive in outward appearance, it serves a potent and far-reaching purpose. From its store-rooms over 1,000,000 copies of the Scriptures, printed in 164 languages and dialects, are annually distributed throughout the world. The Society was organized in May, 1816, by a convention of delegates from different parts of the country. Its business is conducted by a Board of Managers, consisting of thirty-six laymen of various Christian denominations. The publishing business is under the charge of Caleb T. Rowe. A. L. Taylor, the treasurer, found time recently to say to a Tribune reporter:—

“‘Ours is a manufacturing, commercial, and benevolent business. We never sell above cost price, more frequently below, and not seldom give the Bibles out and out. The channels of distribution in this country are through the trade, through about 2,000 auxiliary societies, and through the agency of colporters who are employed to carry books into sparsely settled sections. To some extent we also use other benevolent bodies as agents. The distribution in foreign countries is done mainly by the agencies at Constantinople, Yokohama, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Mexico, St. Petersburg, and Tabreez, Persia. The number of volumes issued from our house last year was 1,357,051; the number made in other countries, 451,164. During the sixty-eight years that the society has been at work, 43,892,031 Bibles and Testaments have been scattered among the peoples of the earth, including over 12,000 copies for the blind.’”

“And your general expenses—how are they met?” suggested the reporter.

“‘The deficit is covered by contributions, legacies, and the rent from the building. Our total annual income from all sources is upward of $600,000. Last year we employed 400 colporters in America, and gave work to 200 persons in this building. Our fortnightly pay-roll now ranges from $10,000 to $12,000.’”