THE BIBLE IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
THE Bible societies are said to be doing an important work in Central America. When the British and Foreign Bible Society began operations there in 1812, it was a criminal offense to introduce the Bible into Spanish territory. But at the Central American Exposition, in 1897, the Bible Society was awarded a gold medal. Now the Guatemala State Press has been authorized to use the State Press for the publication of the Scriptures. The bishop of Costa Rica has begun to import Spanish Testaments, published by a rival Roman Catholic Bible Society, which have scarcely any notes. The American Bible Society is said to be meeting with success under the guidance of a South American hero, Penzotti. The British and Foreign Bible Society is the great Protestant force in Siberia, working for the pagans and for the higher life of the colonists. Bookstalls are found at a number of stations along the new railway where Bibles are sold. Russian scholars are co-operating with the Bible Society in bringing out translations for the aboriginal tribes of Siberia, and portions of the Bible are now available in seven of its languages. The main reliance of the Bible Society, however, is not the bookstall or depot as agencies, but the colporteur, "who is now becoming a recognized institution in the land." Free passes are granted him on steamboats, and freight on paper is gratuitous. He goes everywhere and gains access to the convict, the exile, the miner, the peasant, and the high official.—Selected.