Mary Jones and her Bible

Did you know the story of Mary Jones and her longing to own a Bible of her own? This is a story of the late 18th century. Mary was born in a little Welsh village. Her father was a handloom weaver by trade. Mary was brought up in a home that loved the Lord Jesus. But in Mary's home, her parents being poor, there was no Bible. In those days Bibles were both scarce and very expensive, and Mary's family could not afford to have one. Mary attended school walking the two miles back and forth without a grumble. She joined a Sunday school, where her desire for the Word of God increased. She took to reading the Bible in the home of lady who owned one, but soon she had a strong desire to own a Bible of her own.

The ten-year old girl formed a great resolution: "I must have a Bible of my own, even if I have to save for it for ten years! " She did scores of odd jobs for her neighbours, and scrimped and saved for many years. Finally, after six years saving, she had enough money to buy a Bible of her own. She walked barefoot twenty-five miles to the town of Bala to purchase her Bible. There she was told that all the Welsh Bibles were sold out and there was none for her. How disappointed she was! It was all over, she thought, all in vain. The years of praying, and saving, and waiting; the long walk, the weariness and pain, all of no use.

Seeing her plight, Rev Charles, who sold the Bibles, was so moved that he procured a Bible for her at once. Overcome with joy and thankfulness, Mary was reduced to sweet and happy tears. Touched by the sight of a poor young girl walking 50 miles to and fro to purchase a Bible, Rev Charles felt he could never rest until some means were established to supply the pressing need for Bibles in Wales and England. In the winter of 1802 he visited London, and told the touching story of the little Welsh girl to the Religious Tract Society. Great sympathy was aroused, and after two years - in 1804 - the British and Foreign Bible Society was established. The first resolution of Executive Committee of the Society was to bring out an edition of the Welsh Bible for the use of Sunday Schools, and the first consignment of these Bibles reached Bala in 1806.

Mary's Bible, now in possession of the British and Foreign Bible Society, contains in her own hand-writing this statement: "I bought this in the 16th year of my age. Mary Jones, the true owner of this Bible." She lies buried in a humble churchyard, and few know the important part that she played in the founding of the great institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Adapted from 'Twelve Clever Girls', by J.A.W.Hamilton, Pickering & Inglis Ltd., London, 1937

Queen Victoria

You may have seen the famous picture which represents Queen Victoria presenting a Bible to a dark-skinned Prince, declaring that it was the secret of England's greatness. Happy Empire whose sovereign loved and reverenced the Word of God. We are not surprised at the wonderful changes for the better which took place under wise rule, nor at the love and sympathy which made her visit the lowly crofters' cottages and help the stricken and distressed.

The story told by an octogenarian whom she visited near Balmoral gives the secret of all her greatness. This old lady ventured to inquire: "May I ask your Majesty a question?" Receiving an affirmative reply, she queried: "Will your Majesty meet me in the Paradise above?" To which the Queen replied: "Yes, by the grace of God, and the all-availing Blood of Christ, I will meet you there." The only ground on which sovereign, subject, or any other sinner shall ever be there.

Queen Victor - a clever girl, a brave woman, a beloved wife and mother, and a humble servant of the Lord Jesus, she, 'being dead, yet speaketh'.

From the book, 'Twelve Clever Girls', by J.A.W.Hamilton, Pickering & Inglis Ltd., London, 1937