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 States. Since Dr. McLaughlin took charge of it in 1927, the Society's sales have quadrupled. As a missionary in the Philippines, he helped translate the Bible into Tagalog. As a Bible distributor and cruise lecturer, he has been round the world six times. Two years ago he fell and broke his back. During the 13 months he was in a cast, he made 173 addresses. Dr. McLaughlin promotes the Bible by putting it in snappy covers, plugging slogans like "Give a Bible for Christmas."Once, when religious-minded students at the University of Chicago handed out 2,000 copies of St. John's Gospel at a football game, later found most of them strewn on the field, McLaughlin phoned Coach Stagg, got permission to print on the back cover: "This book will help you win in the game of life. Alonzo Stagg." Next Saturday 3,000 copies were distributed. Only one was picked up afterwards on the field.

Last month slim, spry Jesse McLaughlin reached retirement age (70). On June 30 he will leave his job. Already he has turned down offers of five other jobs, one at twice his present salary. Instead, he plans to write, lecture, make movies to sell more Bibles.

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