A Long Journey Towards the Unification of Bible Societies

Between 1804 and the 1890s, the two oldest and largest Bible societies, the British and Foreign Bible Society (British and Foreign Bible Society– BFBS) and the American Bible Society (American Bible Society– ABS) were responsible for the majority of Bible production and distribution across most parts of the world. With the support of the British Crown, the BFBS viewed the whole world as its mission field. Meanwhile, the ABS, whilst primarily serving the rapidly growing populations of the Americas, also sought to meet the needs of American missionaries in foreign countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. Meanwhile, the Scottish Bible Society (NBSS) and the Dutch Bible Society (NBG) were also keen to play a significant role on the global stage of Bible distribution.

In Japan and Korea, between the 1880s and 1890s, the BFBS and the ABS gradually sought to establish cooperation. This was considered important because, by the turn of the 20th century, the ABS’s sphere of influence had expanded considerably, extending not only to Korea and Japan, but also to China and other parts of the Far East, as well as to Central and South America, Persia, and countries in the eastern Mediterranean.

Generally speaking, the ABS did not operate in countries that were British colonies. However, there were instances where the two Bible societies – the BFBS and the ABS – worked in the same or neighbouring areas. Such instances often led to confusion, overlapping ministries and misunderstandings between them. Generally speaking, ABS did not operate in countries that were British colonies. However, there have been instances where both Bible organisations – BFBS and ABS – have operated in the same or neighbouring territories. Such instances have not infrequently led to confusion, overlapping ministries and misunderstandings between them.

Many years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, these overlapping Bible societies began to realise that close coordination and cooperation between them was essential, and so steps were taken to establish communication and exchange experiences amongst several Bible societies. However, the outbreak of the First World War hampered the development of this cooperation.

After the war ended, John Ritson, General Secretary of the BFBS, attended a meeting with ABS officials in New York in 1911, prior to embarking on his mission to Canada. This meeting resulted in an understanding to respect each other’s ministries and avoid overlapping mission fields.

Shortly afterwards, positive developments began to take place – the ABS withdrew from Korea and, in a reciprocal move, the BFBS withdrew from the Philippines. ABS withdrew from Persia, BFBS from Central America, and so on. ABS and BFBS also agreed to share the work in Brazil, China and Japan by geographically dividing their respective areas of ministry within those countries.

However, these two largest Bible Societies had yet to reach a consensus on paving the way towards the formation of a federation of Bible Societies serving globally. In early March 1919, ABS proposed the formation of a “World Bible Societies Federation”. The structure proposed by ABS was, in fact, very similar to what would later materialise as the United Bible Society (UBS) 27 years later. However, the BFBS responded haughtily to the ABS’s suggestion. They stated, “Since its inception, the BFBS has been a Bible society responsible for serving communities throughout the world. We feel that your proposal for such a federation would limit our ministry to a single country or part of a country.” BFBS was more inclined to agree with the suggestion from the Netherlands Bible Society (NBG) that the proposed federation should serve merely as a forum for friendship and consultation amongst national Bible societies.

Meeting at London Bible House

From 26 to 27 July 1932, delegations from three Bible societies (ABS, BFBS and NBSS) met at London Bible House. These three Bible societies present were the ‘big three’ Bible societies which, at that time, were responsible for the majority of Bible distribution worldwide. John Temple, General Secretary of the BFBS, a man of visionary thinking, invited the leaders of these three Bible societies to meet at his home. The meeting took place in a warm atmosphere that reflected Christian fellowship. The delegates discussed plans for future ministry cooperation.

One member of the British Bible Society delegation present at the meeting wrote in his official report: “We have just concluded a conference which we believe is not only unique in the history of the three Bible societies, but also of immense significance for the future of our ministry.”

Meanwhile, the representative of the American Bible Society concluded their formal report with an encouraging note: “In one of the opening prayers of the conference, we were reminded that the Lord Himself had already entered the meeting room before any of us had arrived. At the close of the conference, we were convinced that God is always with us and will grant us results far exceeding our expectations.”

This conference produced several revolutionary conclusions regarding China. The conference recommended that Bible societies should work together to promote the establishment of a Chinese Bible Society. However, the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in July 1937 delayed any follow-up to the conference’s outcomes.

The conference also agreed that there should be three Bible societies serving in Hong Kong (ABS, BFBS and NBSS).