The Bible and World War One
Bible Society
Between August 1914 and August 1918 Bible Society distributed more than 9 million copies of Scripture in over 80 languages to members of the Armed Forces and prisoners of war on all sides.
It managed this despite immense challenges. There were supply shortages. The cost of paper had risen and it was rationed. There were submarine blockades and merchant ships were sunk.
Selling Scripture amongst the shells
Throughout the war Wilhelm Lichtenberger, a Bible Society colporteur continued to sell Bibles despite bombardments.
Walking miles to deliver the Bible
Before the war broke out, there were some 1,200 Bible Society colporteurs – travelling Bible salesmen – around the world. In one year they sold an amazing 3.75 million Scriptures despite local conflicts and travel difficulties.
Bible men face danger
Colporteurs walked many hundreds of miles to sell Bibles across Europe and beyond during World War 1.
Behind enemy lines
Bible Society’s normal work in Germany and Austria was virtually paralysed by the war. But some activity did continue. It’s depots in Berlin, Vienna and Budapest remained open throughout the war.
Bible Society is ‘great’: The Daily Telegraph
At the end of the war, The Daily Telegraph wrote, ‘Few indeed realise how great have been the activities of this learned and uncontroversial Society since the first days of the war.
Four copies every minute
Despite the problems faced in getting rationed paper, the need for Bibles was great. So on average, Bible Society sent out 6-7,000 New Testaments and Bibles every working day, year in, year out for the duration of the war.
Bible Society distributes 9 million Bibles during WW1
Between August 1914 and August 1918 Bible Society distributed more than 9 million copies of Scripture in over 80 languages to members of the Armed Forces and prisoners of war on all sides.
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