nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

62 • SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
Various causes have produced the acute needs in Europe and Asia. Printing
of the Scriptures has been practically impossible in many countries—due to
shortages of labor and materials, destruction of printing plants, and restrictions
of various kinds.
Many people need Bibles because theirs were lost or destroyed in the war.
Some need a Bible of their own, because in the agony and heartbreak of war
experiences they found comfort and strength through reading a Bible that
belonged to someone else. Others, who have had little or no contact with the
Word of God before are now ready to turn to its pages for the first time.
OPEN DOORS
Doors now open to the Bible throughout the world present an unparalleled
opportunity for Christian Missions. Here are some of the major needs whict
the Society is undertaking to meet:
In Asia, China alone will need 300,000 Bibles, 1,000,000 New Testaments, and
10,000,000 Gospels in the next two years.
In Europe, emergency needs likewise total millions of volumes. Because the
German people show an unexpected interest, estimates for Germany are 900,000
Bibles, 2,800,000 New Testaments, and 2,800,000 Gospels.
From Japanese Christian leaders, the American Bible Society has received
a request (which has been confirmed by Colonel Ivan L. Bennett, Chief United
,nn A«nT rmy Ch *p!* in in Japan) for 2,500,000 Japanese New Testaments,
100^)00 Japanese Bibles, and 100,000 English New Testaments.
We sent immediately 60,000 Japanese New Testaments which we had already
prepared m anticipation of such needs, and tegan the production of a special
edition m heavy paper covers to care for this huge request for 2,500,000 New
Testaments These are being sent to Japan as rapidly as they can be printed
and the needed funds secured.
Remembering that there are only about one-half million Christians in Japan,
S?««3? U ^ rGV r ea f, a ^!" spr, ! a . d interest a "d one of the outstanding missionary
opportunities of all Christian history. «"