organized . This was followed by similar organizations , with numerous branches , upon the continent of Europe . In 1816 the American Bible Society was founded . When the British Society was formed , the Bible had been printed and circulated in fifty tongues . It has since been translated into many hundreds of languages and dialects .
For the fifty years preceding 1792 , little attention was given to the work of foreign missions . No new societies were formed , and there were but few churches that made any effort for the spread of Christianity in heathen lands . But toward the close of the eighteenth century a great change took place . Men became dissatisfied with the results of rationalism and realized the necessity of divine revelation and experimental religion . From this time the work of foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth . The improvements in printing have given an impetus to the work of circulating the Bible . The increased facilities for communication between different countries , the breaking down of ancient barriers of prejudice and national exclusiveness , and the loss of secular power by the pontiff of Rome have opened the way for the entrance of the word of God . For some years the Bible has been sold without restraint in the streets of Rome , and it has now been carried to every part of the habitable globe .
The infidel Voltaire once boastingly said : " I am weary of hearing people repeat that twelve men established the Christian religion . I will prove that one man may suffice to overthrow it ." Generations have passed since his death . Millions have joined in the war upon the Bible . But it is so far from being destroyed , that where there were a hundred in Voltaire ' s time , there are now ten thousand , yes , a hundred thousand copies of the book of God . In the words of an early Reformer concerning the Christian church , " The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers ." Saith the Lord : " No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper ; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn ." Isaiah 54:17 . " The word of our God shall stand forever ." " All His commandments are sure . They stand fast for ever and ever , and are done in truth and uprightness ." Isaiah 40:8 ; Psalm 111:7 , 8 . Whatever is built upon the authority of man will be overthrown ; but that which is founded upon the rock of God ' s immutable word shall stand forever .
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