The Lord called his council together.
From the sapphire throne, he opened his address and said, “It is sixteen hundred years since my Word became flesh and delivered my people from the guilt of their sin. Still the good news has not enriched the ordinary people of the world so what great act do you think will deliver my Word to all people?”
“Thy Word, my Lord, has been written down and copied and delivered to the seminaries of language in centres of great learning,” replied one angel.
“Then let us have more seminaries of education,” added another.
“Let us inspire printing presses. Let the Word be multiplied in vast numbers and let it be available to all people everywhere.”
Enthused, another arose and said, “Printing presses will give rise to enlightening schools for all your people.”
Their ideas bounced through the walls of the third heaven and the thought volume exploded.
“Let the printed Word be in all schools.”
“Place it in centres of medicine that care for the sick.”
“Place it in aged people’s homes for those beyond their time of work.”
“In places for the science of growing food after its own kind.”
“On the desks of your scientists; of astronomers to learn of your spaces; with air travellers to explore the beauties of your universe; in under water excursions to seek the treasures of oceans.”
“Place it in homes as text and every child taught from it in the common language!”
The Lord held up his hand. “Great good will flow from all nations who embrace my printed Word. But later…” he paused, “the educated will forsake my Word. They will seek to overrule marriage I defined at the beginning. They will demand taxes on all my resources. My science will be renounced and they will usurp power over beneficent rains and the air I created. They will deny my very existence.”
The council was silent.
Then the Word, standing beside the sapphire throne, spoke.
“Let it be done, my Lord, because as your Son, I have chosen the foolish to confound the wisdom of the world. They seek first the law, order and justice of your kingdom. Then they seek my Lord’s righteousness, which is my garment of salvation. They carry your salvation to their neighbours. So let King James Printing Presses arise to testify to your Word, my Lord.”
And it was so.
Elizabeth Price