The Story of Mary Jones and Her Bible by Mary Emily Ropes will be familiar to many. The story was published in a beautiful hardcover by Lamplighter Publishing some years ago. It has long been a favorite with Christian homeschool families.
The book tells the story of Mary Jones, a young Welsh girl, who longed to have her own Bible. Her father died when she was young and her family did not have a Bible of their own. Mary was able to read a Bible for herself by walking two miles to a neighbor’s house.
But Mary was determined to have her own Bible. She worked for six years to raise the money herself. Then when the opportunity presented itself, she walked barefoot as they did in those days over 25 miles to purchase the Bible.
In our times, in our country, most people can have a Bible if they wish. Imagine wanting to read the Word of God in your own language for yourself — and being willing to walk over 25 miles to make it happen!
Mary’s dedication became the foundation that started the British Bible Society.
Chapter after chapter was learned by heart, and the study of the Sunday school lessons became her greatest privilege and delight.
If a question were asked by the teacher, which other girls could not answer, Mary was always appealed to, and was invariably ready with a thoughtful, intelligent reply, while in committing to memory not only chapters, but whole books of the Bible, she was unrivalled both in the school and neighbourhood.
Nor was this all. For though to love, and read, and learn the Bible are good things, this is not the sum of what is required by Him who has said “If ye love Me, ‘keep’ My commandments.”
The Story of Mary Jones and her Bible makes an excellent read aloud for families.
Free eBook
Suggestions
Have your students do one or more of the following:
- Locate Wales on a map.
- Learn more about the hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” by William Williams, a Welsh preacher just before Mary’s time.
- See if someone can help you travel 25 miles from home. Imagine walking that far! Or put on a pedometer and pay attention when you reach 25 miles. How long did it take you?
- Copy Psalm 119:133: “Direct my footsteps according to Your Word.”
- Using the Walking Guide in the resources below, describe the trip.
Additional Resources
Mary Jones and Her Bible
Beautiful hardcover version published by Lamplighter Publishing.
Mary Jones Walk Guide
English follows the Welsh. Includes a wonderful map for a notebook.
Mary Jones
From the Bible Society (UK).
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