Exhibition of Bibles

As many will know, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. To celebrate this, the URC is holding an exhibition of Bibles at their church in Vaughan Road, Harpenden, on 10th and 17th September and I went along to have a look. There are a host of different translations, languages and ages of Bibles on display. One of the oldest (and perhaps most valuable) dates from the late 1600's and was at one time owned by a member of the Wesley family (John and Charles). It is a King James Bible (KJV) but with the ornate font and characters is quite difficult to read! Also among the oldest are some family bibles, passed down through a family over many generations, with each generation recording their name in the book. An interesting talk held in June at St Nicholas Church about the history of the KJV was reported on this website, including information about the Geneva Bible, which preceded the KJV by 51 years. It caused some controversy at the time because of the pro-protestant notes in the margin. A copy of the Geneva Bible is on display at the URC exhibition and it was interesting to view the controversial notes! The Geneva Bible

A copy from 1988 of Four Gospels in the AV with engravings by Eric Gill, first published in 1931. Eric Gill was an engraver and sculptor. A selection of bibles of different translations used today is on display, including the Good News Bible, New International Version, New King James Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, The Message, Youth Bible and JB Phillips New Testament. An extract from John's Gospel from a variety of Bibles was on display and it was interesting to look at how the differences in translation might lead to differences of interpretation. Also on display were a selection of children's Bibles, and foreign language Bibles, including a Bible in Welsh alongside the famous story of Mary Jones. She was born in a small Welsh village in 1784, and, desperate to have a Bible of her own, in Welsh, saved up for six years and walked many miles to obtain one. This made such an impression on Rev Charles (from whom she bought the Bible) that he proposed the formation of a Society to supply Wales with Bibles. This led to the founding, in London in 1804, of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which is still in existence today (as The Bible Society). It has the aim of making Bibles available to everyone in all countries across the globe, in a language they can understand and regardless of ability to pay. You can find out more about the work of the Bible Society from their website www.biblesociety.org.uk Jackie Price