“In 1516 Erasmus, a learned Greek scholar, published the New Testament, which was translated by William Tyndale, who was so persecuted by those who did not want it published that he was obliged to go to Germany to finish his work; even there he was so hampered that it was not until 1525 that the New Testament was finally printed.
“Merely as literature, it has made a deeper impression upon the human mind than has any other book, and the extent to which it has helped shape the world’s ideas cannot be estimated. No matter how much you know of poetry or prose, you cannot consider yourself well read unless you are thoroughly acquainted with the Bible.”
“It is wonderful that the language has been kept so beautiful after all those translations and copyings,” said the boy named Billy.
“Very likely it was changed a good bit,” said Somebody, “but its wonderful message of Truth has not been changed.”
“I don’t know where there’s another story like that of David,” said Billy, “and the one about Joseph’s coat has any one of the six best sellers beaten a mile.”
“Perhaps you’ll like to know,” said Somebody, “that the Bible, year in and year out is THE best seller.”
“I don’t wonder,” said the boy named Billy.
Good Friday
