The Book that Everyone Read During World War I

SWINDON, England, July 28, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- 100 years ago, on 28 July 1914, the first shots of World War I were fired. Over the following four years, 16 million lives were lost as 65 million men from 32 countries were drawn into the conflict. The book that was read and cherished by people on both sides of the conflict was the Bible. To commemorate the First World War centenary, Bible Society in England and Wales has been looking back at its records to trace the extent and impact of its Scripture distribution during the war years. What they have found is impressive: despite many logistical challenges, it distributed more than nine million Scriptures in 80 languages to members of the Armed Forces and prisoners of war on all sides. But what brings the figures to life are the stories of how those Scriptures impacted the lives of people living through one of the darkest periods in recent history - and how they are treasured as family heirlooms today. Bible Society has shared some of those stories on its World War I microsite. "There is no other book that was as widely owned or read in the trenches," notes Dr Michael Snape, Reader in Religion, War and Society at the University of Birmingham in the UK. "There are poignant stories from the Battle of the Somme of bodies being recovered from shell holes of men who died with a New Testament in their hands." Arthur Ingham's Bible, which he carried in the top pocket of his uniform, literally saved his life when it shielded him from a piece of shrapnel at the Somme. "He said he would have definitely been killed were it not for this Bible," says Philip Douetil, a family friend who now owns the shrapnel-damaged Bible. "He was a religious man after that. He wasn't beforehand, but he became a regular churchgoer." Bible Society distributors walked long distances and braved many dangers during the war. In Belgrade, Serbia, 71-year-old Wilhelm Lichtenberger carried heavy loads of Bibles to Armed Forces and medical personnel despite heavy bombardments. For more stories, and to find out about - Hear My Cry - a special book to mark the World War I centenary, visit the Bible Society's World War I microsite. Photos for download: bit.ly/1k3X8iI The United Bible Societies is made up of 146 Bible Societies operating in over 200 countries and territories. www.unitedbiblesocieties.org

From Gold City's Newsletter of October 31, 2012:

WEEKEND REWIND

Gold City was all over the map this weekend. We started out in Strasburg, VA on Thursday, then made our way to Port Crane, NY. Saturday we were in Cranberry, PA, when Hurricane Sandy started gaining momentum. Guess you could say we sang up a storm, because the rain and wind seemed to follow us right over to Shelby, OH where we finished out the weekend. Great times with great people, singing the greatest music in the world. Not a bad combination at all! And we were glad to have Daniel Riley back on the road with us this weekend after a few weeks off for some sinus surgery. He’s back and sounding great!

THE WEEK AHEAD

It’s a very important time in our nation. On November 6th, we will be electing many political candidates into office, including the head of our nation for the next four years. The privilege to vote is an honor that we should not take lightly or for granted. Many countries around the world do not have the right to let their voice be heard. Thousands of men and women have died defending the freedoms and rights we have in the United States. This is a call to action– pray for wisdom at the voting poll, and exercise your right to vote!

I GET DOWN

Thank you for calling in to your local radio station and requesting our latest single, "I Get Down." We think it is a message that prayer equals hope! So many of you let us know each week in concert that you are fighting battles, and many more of you have those unspoken burdens that are so private, you can’t even share them. But we know that down on our knees is the place to take care of it all. So, keep requesting and listening and knowing that we are lifted up when we get down on our knees.

STORY ALERT

Did you know our Tim Riley is featured in the November issue of Singing News magazine? In honor of Veteran’s Day, Tim was featured along with Les Beasley (retired member of the Florida Boys) and Ray Dean Reese (Kingsmen). These three men served our nation in the Armed Forces. Tim shared about his days in Vietnam. There’s even an old photo of his days with the Dixie Echoes. A must-read!!

ANNUAL EVENT ALERT

Gold City will be one of the featured artists on Friday, November 23rd in Florence, AL at the Florence Coliseum. It’s Alabama’s oldest and largest Thanksgiving Sing. Our friends, The Perrys, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Karen Peck and New River will be joining us for this fantastic evening. For more information, go to www.billbaileyconcerts.com.

DANNY’S FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation." -Charles Spurgeon

AS ALWAYS

Gold City wants to thank each of you who take time to come out and see us. We thank you for always supporting our ministry in such an overwhelming way. Have a great week!


CONCERTS

For our full schedule or more information, please visit www.bsaworld.com
Thursday, 11/01 Murfreesboro, TN 7pm Farmers Family Restaurant 1958 Old Fort Parkway
Friday, 11/02 Bardstown, KY 7pm Bardstown Baptist Church 101 W. Brashear
Sunday, 11/04 Shelbyville, TN 10am Calvary Baptist Church 405 Lane Pkwy
Thursday, 11/08 Buhl, AL 7pm Buhl Baptist Church 11964 Buhl School Rd
Friday, 11/09 De Quincy, LA 7pm New Hope Baptist Church 543 Marcantel Rd
Saturday, 11/10 Livingston, TX 6:30pm First Baptist Church 106 Colt Rd

Questions? Contact Gold City
PO Box 2100, Gadsden, Alabama 35903, United States
http://www.goldcityqt.com/