THIS little book tells how one of the least of seeds has grown to be greatest of trees. It was the earnest desire of the late Mr. William Coles, of Dorking, who was through life a warm and liberal friend of the British and Foreign Bible Society, to learn all he could about its birth. At his suggestion the, trustees of the College at Bala generously presented Mary Jones's Bible to the Library of the Bible House in London, where it may now be seen. He was very anxious that the story should be re-told in a way likely to interest the young; and though he did not live to see this volume published, he did from his deathbed see and approve the draft submitted to him.
A few days before his death he wrote as follows: " The sketch came to me as a glorious finish to my aspirations. I may never see the book, but from the bright Happy Land—I shall be with Christ and know all."
It must not be forgotten that others besides Mr. Charles helped to found the Bible Society. The Rev. Thomas Jones, curate of Creaton, deserves specially to be mentioned. He was the " clergyman in Wales " who is referred to in Owen's History of the Society (vol. i. p. 3), as having interested himself for more than twelve years in calling attention to the dearth of the Word of God in Wales.
Let due honor be done to him, and to others like him; but, above all, let Him be praised who disposed His servants to establish an organization for distributing the bread of life to the hungry multitudes of mankind.
THE BIBLE HOUSE, 1st December, 1882.