Mary Jones and her Bible Chapter 7 The Way Triumphant Only a dusky light was showing at Mary's bedroom window when Pastor Edwards knocked at her door. Mary Jones, he called, are you awake? I can see a light in Mr. Charles's window. He is busy at his desk already, I expect, so we can go over and see him. Thank you, Mr. Edwards. I will come at once, answered Mary. And she hurriedly, but carefully, washed and dressed, knelt for a few minutes in prayer, and came down to the Edwards' sitting-room, where Pastor Edwards and his wife were waiting for her. "'Take a drink of hot milk, child,' said kind Mrs. Edwards. She could see that Mary was trembling, though calm. The milk strengthened her, and she and the pastor went out and crossed the street to the house where Mr. Charles lived. Pastor Edwards knocked softly at the door, and presently they heard a footstep in the hall, and Mr. Charles himself opened the door. "'Ah, good morning, friend Edwards,' said Mr. Charles. "'This is indeed an early visit. Nothing wrong has happened, I hope?' "'No, sir,' answered Pastor Edwards. "'Nothing wrong, but a very important matter. I saw the light in your window and ventured to come over as this young girl has come far to make a request. Come in, come in, said Mr. Charles. The pastor and Mary followed him into his study. Mary was nervous and trembling, feeling strange and unreal in the presence of Mr. Charles. Now that she was actually face to face with him, her confidence faded. Sit down, Mr. Edwards, said Mr. Charles, and tell me what has happened. He had noticed Mary's poor clothing and roughened hands, and was expecting to hear a petition for work or other help of some kind. Nothing wrong has happened, Mr. Charles, repeated the pastor gravely, but this young girl, Mary Jones, has walked all the way from Lonfahengel, near Abergonolin, to ask if you have a Bible you can spare for her. A Bible? said Mr. Charles, interested at once. Tell me, child, can you read?" "'Oh, yes, sir,' answered Mary. "'I have not long left Abergynolan School.' "'Then you learnt under Mr. Ellis?' said Mr. Charles. "'Yes, sir,' Mary replied. "'And Mr. Lewis-Williams.' "'That is very good,' said Mr. Charles. "'I am interested in Abergynolan, and you come from Lonfahango. Do you live with your parents?' "'Yes, sir,' answered Mary. feeling much more at ease now that she was speaking of her own home and the places that Mr. Charles also knew. My mother and father are weavers. Now tell me, said Mr. Charles, how is it that you have made this long journey in order to buy a Bible? Do you know anything of the Scriptures? Yes, sir, answered Mary, her eyes kindling. I love the Bible. I have loved it ever since I was a little girl and heard it read at meeting when I went with my mother and father. Then the school opened when I was ten, and I learned to read. And a Sunday school started too, and I went. But I needed a Bible more than ever then, and a kind friend, Mrs. Evans, the farm, promised that when I could read I could go and study her Bible at the farm. So I went every Saturday to study my Sunday school lesson. Does Mrs. Evans live in Lonfahengel?" asked Mr. Charles. No, Mary answered. The farm is up the mountain, two miles away. And you walked two miles every Saturday to study the scriptures," said Mr. Charles. Indeed. And what do you remember of the scriptures now? Can you repeat a psalm? Yes, sir, said Mary. I know many psalms. The Lord is my shepherd, and I love the 104th psalm Praise the Lord, O my soul, all about the rocky hills and the birds. But coming up from Lahnfehingel yesterday, the psalm, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, was in my mind all the time. It seemed to be my psalm, specially for me. Mary's face glowed and her dark eyes shone as she spoke, and the pastor as well as Mr. Charles were touched at her deep unaffected feeling. Do you know any part of the Gospels? asked Mr. Charles. Oh, yes, sir, Mary answered. I can tell most of the parables. I used to teach the neighbor's children when I took them out on the moor, and I know most of the Sermon on the Mount. The seventh chapter was the first part I ever learned at the farm. And you have come all the way from Lahnfehingel to buy a Bible, said Mr. Charles. "'Yes, if you please, sir,' Mary answered quietly. "'I have the money here in this purse.' "'But if your parents are weavers, and not, I suppose, very rich, how could you have got so much money as a Bible now, alas, costs?' asked Mr. Charles. "'I worked and saved for six years,' Mary answered. "'I minded children. I did mending for neighbors. I picked sticks. I kept chickens. Oh, I did everything I could to save enough." Mr. Charles sat in silence for a time. Then he turned to the pastor. Oh, friend Edwards, he exclaimed, is not this too unutterably sad? To see this young girl so brave, so intelligent, so consistent a Christian, coming all this long twenty-five miles to me for a Bible, and I have none to spare for her. Not one. And there is no hope of getting one, for the society has refused to print any more for whales. And have you nothing for this poor child, Mr. Charles? faltered Pastor Edwards. I have not one, answered Mr. Charles. There are two or three Bibles in that bookcase that are promised to others. I have none to spare. As Mr. Charles spoke, His words fell like stones on Mary's ears. She gave a low cry and stretched out her hands as if she were about to fall. A black despair seemed to envelop her like a cloud. All the years of working, waiting, and hoping seemed to rise up like a great wave that would sink and crush her. It had all been no use. The long, weary walk yesterday had been but a fool's errand. how happy she had been yesterday, so full of hope and all for nothing. At this last thought her feelings gave way and she burst into wild, uncontrollable weeping. Burying her face in her hands, the tears gushed through her fingers. She sank into a chair and her frame shook so much that she could not stand. Her surroundings, the two ministers sitting in grave silence, were forgotten in the overwhelming sorrow that engulfed her. She must go back without her Bible. Suddenly, Mr. Charles rose from his chair and laid his hand on Mary's head. My child, he said, you shall have your Bible. I cannot send you away empty, no matter who else goes short. Calm yourself, my child. He went to the bookcase, and opening a door, brought out a Bible and returned to Mary's side. Take it, Mary, he said, putting it into her hands. Mary held the Bible in her hands. Her eyes, still brimming with tears, looked up at him, the light of hope shining in her face. Is it really for me? she whispered. It is for you, my child, said Mr. Charles, a just reward for all your earnest work and May God bless you in your reading of it, and may it be the comfort you deserve." Oh, Friend Edwards, he went on, turning to the pastor, and this is only one illustration of the terrible need for the Bible in Wales. I will never rest until I get something done to relieve this want. Mary rose now, and after faltering her thanks to Mr. Charles, walked to the door, Her Bible clasped in her arms. Her one desire now was to return to her parents to show them her new treasure. After a hasty meal with her good friends, Pastor and Mrs. Edwards, she set out on her walk home. It was later in the morning than the hour at which she had started the day before, but it was a cool blustering day and pleasanter for walking. Mary passed over mile after mile of road as one in a dream. Holding her Bible clasped to her breast, head erect and a smile on her face, she went on, unconscious of anything around her. She had her Bible, her own Bible, and she was on her way home. Weariness, hunger and thirst did not touch her. She did notice the girl who had shared her supper with her the evening before, and they waved to each other, for the farm girl was going across the field to the cows. Mary also remembered the cottage and the kind old lady who gave her the buttermilk, but the door was shut. The weather was too rough for the old woman to be gardening today. But casual passers-by on the road, though they would see the happy look on Mary's face and would wish her good day, were unheeded by her. Her thoughts were too full. She would turn and look after her, murmuring, I wonder what makes her look so happy. Once Mary sat for half an hour or so and rested while she ate some food that Mrs. Edwards had given her. Then she was up and away again. So much had happened since yesterday that it seemed wonderful to find the old farmer still working at his hedge, only just a little farther along the road. Mary greeted him as an old friend. "'Ay, did you get to Bala, then?' he asked. "'Yes, I am going home now,' Mary answered. "'That's a brave lass,' cried the old man. "'A good journey to you.'" Mary thanked him and sped on. Dahl Gellie was already past. She felt that she was well on her way home. Already dear, familiar Cater Idris was in view. As the road wound between the hills, the great mountain showed her its varying shape And it was some hours before she climbed its foothills. After a last scramble over the shoulder of the friendly hill, she reached home ground. Dusk was falling, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones sat in the cottage, listening, their looms silent. It will be getting dark soon, said Mrs. Jones. I, returned Jacob quietly, Mary knows her way in the dark. then almost under his breath. Twenty-five miles in one day. Mrs. Jones went for the twentieth time, and looked out of the window, then turned to the fire and stirred some soup on the hob. ARK! exclaimed Jacob. They listened. The gate latch clicked, and a quick, light footstep came up the path. The door opened, and Mary came in. Mrs. Jones stood, trembling, unable to speak. But Jacob stretched out his arms to Mary, and in a voice deep with emotion, almost unconsciously, spoke in the words of the prophet. "'Is it well with the child?' he said. And Mary went straight to him. "'It is well,' she replied in unutterable content. "'My dear,' said Mrs. Jones now, "'you have your Bible?' For answer, Mary turned to her mother with a soft radiance in her face and laid the Bible in her hands. Thanks be to God, the mother breathed. She gazed at the Bible for a few moments, then giving it to Jacob, turned towards the fire again. Come, my dear, she said. You must be worn out. Come and have some food. That must be the first thing. Jacob, we will let Mary eat and rest first. Then she can tell us how everything went and what has happened in these two long days. And we can see the Bible properly. When Mary had had some food and rest, there seemed no end to the story she had to tell her parents. And of course, the smallest happening was important in their eyes. At last, though it was late at night, She brought the Bible to the table, and they all looked at it with reverent love. Mary's Bible. It seemed too good to be true. Mary felt as if she had suddenly acquired an extensive library, so scarce were books in those days, and this was the book of books. How lovely to have the Bible itself, Mary said. Yes, agreed Jacob, and now you are needing a long rest, Mary. But I don't think we could go to bed satisfied if we did not have a few words from the Holy Book. Read something, Mary, and then let us thank God for all His mercies. Mary opened her Bible and turned the pages for a few moments. Then, with a thrill in her voice, she read the 150th Psalm. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His holiness. praise Him in the firmament of His power. And when she came to the last verse, Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord, praise ye the Lord, her voice rose in triumph. Rising from their seats with one accord, the family knelt together and gave thanks to God. Then, with deep joy and peace in her heart, Mary wished her parents good night and went up to her little room. Chapter 8 The Work Begun A quiet peace now settled on Mary's soul. Morning and evening she read aloud from her Bible to her parents, intending to read from the beginning to the end. For the first time she realized that the books were a continuous history that followed the Israelites from their glorious escape from slavery in Egypt to their captivity in Babylon. She found new stories of people and places which she had never heard read in the chapel or Sunday school. By reading through each complete book she grasped for the first time the real meaning of the extracts that she had until now only partly understood. Many were the quiet discussions that Mary and her parents had in those days. Mary still did odd bits of sewing for her neighbors, and was getting quite skilled in dressmaking. Now that she had left school, she found she could do even more work than her commissions brought her. So she learned to take her turn at her mother's loom, and still found time to attend to needlework, as well as her bees, chickens, and garden. A busy, happy life. The church services and Sunday school served as a meeting place for friends. She was utterly unconscious that her past struggle to save enough money for a Bible, her walk to Bala and the bitter tears shed there, were to play a momentous part in forming a great society. To her, all that was a thing of the past. But not so with the Reverend Thomas Charles. Mary's story and her despairing tears clung to his memory. They brought into dark relief the bitter need of his country's people, for Mary's need was the need of Wales. He visited the villages of North Wales even more widely, and became more and more convinced of that need. Being in Towan district one day, he called at the Jones's cottage. He found Mary deep in the mysteries of weaving, her mother patiently instructing her. Oh, Mr. Charles, cried Mary, when she had pulled forward her father's armchair for their visitor. I am going to be a weaver like mother and father. And I expect you are getting on famously, replied Mr. Charles. Yes, sir, said Mrs. Jones, answering for Mary, who looked a little self-conscious. But she wants to get on too quickly. She was ever one to want to get things done. Mr. Charles picked up the end of the piece of cloth that Mary's efforts had produced, and even his unprofessional eye could see that it was not perfect, though credible enough for a beginner. You will make a good weaver in time, Mary, he said quietly. Have you ever thought, he went on, addressing her parents now, as well as Mary, that we are all weavers in life's fabric, that is, in God's creation and kingdom, weavers of good and evil, or evil. Look back at the earliest pages of Bible history, how solemn a thought it is to see what a weaving of sorrow Eve made in the world by her disobedience. On the other hand, how happy Ruth would have been if she had been told even a part of the wonderful influence her life and conduct would have upon countless generations to come. Yes, sir, broke in Jacob Jones. And I have often said here in this room that our dear Mary is a very Ruth to her parents. Yes, indeed, answered Mr. Charles. We little know what a rich thread she has woven into the pattern of life. Oh, sir, shyly stammered Mary, surprised and overcome by this remark, what have I done? We shall see, Mary, answered Mr. Charles. God has all our efforts for good in his keeping. and his word shall not return unto him void. They talked for a while of other matters, the Sunday school and the improvement in the children in the district, and he turned to leave and said, I am going to London, Mary, to plead for more Bibles. Pray for me. In the December of 1802, Mr. Charles went to London and at a meeting of the Religious Tract Society, He told the story of Mary Jones, pointing out that she was but one example of the dire need of the Welsh people for Bibles in their own tongue. Mary's story made a deep impression. When Mr. Charles had finished his appeal, he sat down, a prayer in his heart that his hearers would be moved to do something towards his scheme. This in his mind had now become the only way to relieve the spiritual destitution of his people. There was a silence in the room as he sat, his eyes cast down on the table, waiting. Then a Reverend Joseph Hughes rose from his chair. Mr. Charles, he said, your appeal has moved us all very much. The story of that young girl is truly heart-rending, and hers is the story of the world. You speak of your hope of forming a society for printing and distributing Bibles in Wales. But I say, if for Wales, why not for the world? A deep murmur of agreement ran round the table, and then members of the committee began to bring forward different suggestions. They were unanimous that a new society should be formed. The secretary was there, and then instructed to write a letter inviting all Christians of all churches to unite in supporting the work. The enthusiasm was tremendous, and Mr. Charles could hardly believe that his great hope had become a reality. So it happened that on December 7, 1802, the British and Foreign Bible Society was conceived, and on March 7, 1804, When the initial arrangements had been completed, the first meeting was held and 700 pounds was subscribed. Mr. Charles had returned to Wales, but how he rejoiced to hear that the work of the Bible Society had really begun. He soon made excuse to visit the Abergynolan district and walked up to Llanfahangle. He found Mary in the cottage garden. Mary Jones, he said, I have something to tell you. And as I am sure your parents will be glad to hear it too, we will go into the house." They went into the cottage and Mr. and Mrs. Jones stilled their looms to welcome their visitor. After inquiries about the health of the family, Mr. Charles told the great news. A society has been founded, he said, that will devote itself to printing and distributing the scriptures throughout the world. the world," Mary softly exclaimed. Yes, it is wonderful, replied Mr. Charles. No more begging and praying for a few Bibles. We shall have all we need. As it grows in strength, this society will supply the world with scriptures. Well, sir, said Jacob, that is grand news indeed. When I think of our little Mary striving on as she did until she could buy that expensive Bible, I do rejoice that it may become easier for the poorer folk in Wales and in the rest of the world to get one. Oh, it is wonderful, cried Mary, but I am not sorry that I had to work so hard for my Bible. It only makes it more precious to me. And now we are hoping that good Christian folk will be generous in their giving for this great work, said Mr. Charles. We have had a splendid start. 700 pounds were subscribed at the first meeting. I am sure the money will come, said Mrs. Jones. Why, when they hear about it, everyone will want to help. And so it was. As the news of the Bible Society spread throughout Wales, subscriptions poured into its head office and nearly 1,900 pounds was raised, mostly from the poorer people of the country. When Mr. Charles had gone, Mary threw a shawl over her head. I must run up and tell Mrs. Evans the farm at once, she said, and ran out of the cottage. She arrived breathless at the farm and found Farmer Evans in the house as well as Mrs. Evans. Oh, Mrs. Evans! Oh, Mr. Evans! There has been started a most wonderful society in London that is going to provide Bibles for the Welsh people and for all the world. Isn't it splendid?" "'Well, well,' cried Mrs. Evans, "'that will mean cheaper Bibles, and a chance to get one, too, which the people have never had, whether they were rich or poor. Who told you about it, Mary?' "'Mr. Charles,' Mary answered, "'he has just now been to our cottage. He was so pleased that he could hardly tell us.' "'It will be a grand work,' said Farmer Evans. I must see about it being made known in our chapel and get a collection going. We must support that society with all we can give." "'Aye, that we must,' agreed Mrs. Evans heartily. And that was the spirit all up and down the country. The talk was all of this new society, and everyone gave, like the first Christians, as they were able. Those were happy days in Wales. Enthusiasm for this new enterprise ran like a fire through the whole nation. A sense of religion and worship awoke in the country even before the scriptures actually came to hand. And when the first consignment of Bibles in the Welsh language for Sunday schools arrived in Bala in 1806, a great song of thanksgiving went up from all the churches. The movement was wholeheartedly supported by everyone. William Wilberforce and others in London, who were interested in all Christian effort, and in Wales, Dr. Warren, Bishop of Bangor, and Dr. Burgess, Bishop of St. David's, all joined with Mr. Charles in the work of distributing Bibles to the many Sunday schools so much in need of them. Mary Jones followed the progress of the work with the keenest interest. By this time she was a teacher in the Sunday school, and she always remembered the strange thrill of joy that she felt on the first Sunday when Bibles were handed to the children to read and study in their class. She knew now that the story of her own struggle had played its part in the foundation of the Bible society, and without a thought of pride or self-congratulation, she rejoiced to see this day. Epilogue What came of it? When the Bible Society was founded in 1804, the Bible or parts of the Bible had already been translated into 72 languages. These included most European languages and about 16 tongues spoken in Ethiopia, Arabia, Iceland, Iran, Armenia, Malaya, Turkey, Formosa, India, Ceylon, Labrador, West Africa, British Guiana, and to the Mohawk Indians in North America. One of the first things the Bible Society did was, of course, to see that Wales got the Bible in Welsh. It also published the Gospel of Saint John in the Mohawk language, which had just been completed. And after that, The first six new versions published by the Society were these. 1806, Marathi, spoken in Bombay. 1808, Sanskrit, spoken or written in most parts of India. 1809, Gujarati, another Indian language. 1809, Oriya, spoken in Orissa. 1810, Chinese. Eskimo, spoken in Labrador. Since then, the work has steadily gone on. It is a piece of cooperation in which many people take part. Missionaries go out to foreign lands, they learn the language and begin to translate the scriptures into it. Sometimes the Bible Society helps in this work of translation by making grants of money to enable one or two people to give their whole time to the work. When the translation is finished, it must be checked and approved by the Bible Society Committee in London, and finally it is printed and made available to the people it is intended for. The British and Foreign Bible Society is not now the only Bible Society in the world. other great societies came into existence to help with the work, the National Bible Society of Scotland in 1826, the American Bible Society in 1816, the Bible Society of the Netherlands in 1814, and so on. These all form now a great worldwide family, the United Bible Societies, with the one aim to make the Bible available to everybody in the common languages of mankind. The people of Wales, in the person of Mary Jones, planted a tree which now has many branches and spreads throughout the world. The End This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available, free and for sale, in audio, video, and printed formats. Our many free resources, as well as our complete mail-order catalog, containing thousands of classic and contemporary Puritan and Reform books, tapes, and videos at great discounts, is on the web at www.swrb.com. It can also be reached by email. at SWRB at SWRB.com by phone at 780-450-3730 by fax at 780-468-1096 or by mail at 4710-37A Avenue Edmonton that's E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N Alberta abbreviated capital A capital B Canada T6L3T5. You may also request a free printed catalog. And remember that John Calvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart, from his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions. since he condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to His commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves, would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying His word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words, then, are very important. When he says, that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.