Religion: Bible Distribution

Cook County, which includes Chicago, has no great reputation for piety. But the Chicago Bible Society is not to blame. Last year in Cook County the Society distributed 530,897 Bibles—whole and in parts. Last week, in the Chicago Temple (which occupies the first three floors of a 21-story Loop skyscraper), the Society celebrated its 100th birthday with a rousing service. Keynoter was its chipper, peppery mainspring and secretary, the Rev. Jesse Lee McLaughlin.

In 1840 the Society "supplied $86 worth of Scriptures." In 1939, working with the still older and bigger American Bible Society, it sowed some 1,600,000 Bibles through eight midwestern...

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