Testimony Mr Alexander Enholc
The Second World War left many people with horrific memories. Even nearly a year after the war, when representatives from a dozen Bible Societies gathered in Sussex, London, on 7–9 May 1946 to prepare for the establishment of the World Federation of Bible Societies (United Bible Society– UBS), some of them were still feeling the trauma of the war. Although the war had been so devastating, they could still sense God’s outstretched hand amidst such darkness. One of them was Mr Alexander Enholc, Head of the British and Foreign Bible Society’s (British and Foreign Bible Society) mission in Poland. At that time, Poland did not yet have its own Bible Society, and the British and Foreign Bible Society had established a mission in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. The following is Mr Alexander Enholc’s testimony, as delivered during a meeting of Bible societies in Sussex.
A Bomb Falls
“In the early days of the German invasion, a bomb fell near the representative office, which also served as a depot (small shop) for the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) in Warsaw. The explosion shattered the windows and doors. Only a small pane of glass at the front of the office remained intact. On that pane was an excerpt from the Word of God,”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Matt. 24:35).”
Throughout the long months and years that passed during the Second World War, that passage from the Word of God remained firmly in place. Passers-by who happened to read it would take off their hats, make the sign of the cross and say, “This is a miracle.”
As Head of the Representative Office, Alexander Enholc emphasised that, despite the extremely difficult circumstances, the work of the Bible Society must continue. However, the name of the British and Foreign Bible Society (British and Foreign Bible Society – BFBS) had to be changed to simply “Bible Society”, as the Germans so strongly disliked and hated anything associated with Britain. Consequently, the staff decided to install a new sign reading “Bible Society” in two languages: Polish and German. Despite the looming danger and the suspicion of the German secret police, 266,000 copies of the Bible, the New Testament and Bible excerpts (porsion) were distributed through the Bible Society’s depot. Bookshops and colportage were eventually also banned by the German army, but a few brave men took risks to ensure the Bible could be distributed secretly to strengthen the hearts of its readers. The only Bibles permitted were those in Polish and Ukrainian, along with a few Russian-published devotional books. At that time, there was a total ban on the sale of books and other publications in English, French and even Turkish.
Amidst extraordinary hardships, 6,000 Bibles and 22,000 New Testaments for Poland were successfully printed, without the representative office in Poland covering the printing costs. When all British offices and companies in Poland were closed down, the only organisation permitted to continue operating and serving the public was the Bible Society. For the Bible Society staff, these various concessions were a miracle and proof of God’s help.
“I was summoned to the Gestapo four times, detained, subjected to intimidation, and on the last occasion I did not even expect to return home. I was questioned about the various activities of the Bible Society, and the question even arose as to whether I was also close to Mr Haig. When I said our work had nothing to do with politics, I was asked, ‘Do you oppose Hitler?’ I said I didn’t know, but our Holy Scriptures say that all governments come from God. The Gestapo officer replied, ‘That is correct—you are now free,’” said Mr Enholc.
In the early days of the war, Alexander Enholc was transported by the army to Eastern Poland for several weeks, and his wife took over the running of the Bible depot. Mrs Enholc fought alone against the German siege of Warsaw. Later, during the period of the Polish resistance fighters’ guerrilla struggle, she fled out of the city. Occasionally she would go into Warsaw to obtain food, then visit the representative’s office to secure the last twelve boxes of Bibles, printed sections of the Bible, and a typewriter. Later, as conditions in the city grew increasingly precarious, Mrs Enholc was unable to return to Warsaw and spent six weeks in a basement.
“As the war reached its height, the Germans decided to send women and children to concentration camps; my wife was rounded up and taken to a mine. She managed to lodge a protest, as her health was very poor. Although she suffered a great deal of physical abuse, she eventually managed to escape,” said Mr Enholc.
The majority of the Polish population were devout Catholics. During the war, the Bible Society’s work received considerable sympathy and support from the Roman Catholic Church. Many Catholic leaders and laypeople visited the Bible Society’s offices and depots, asking when the shops would reopen. It turned out that the war, which brought suffering, increased the faithful’s need for the Bible. Thousands, even millions, of believers needed inspiration and strength from the Holy Scriptures amidst a turbulent world.
“At times like these, we realise that God’s help is truly real. Although life is so difficult and full of challenges, God has never forsaken us. Time and again, God has saved us through the dark days of the World War. It seems that God still trusts us to serve Him, spreading the Good News to many people,” concluded Alexander Enholc.”
