The Display is in conjunction with the Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary. A number of the Bibles were part of a lending library that Elizabeth Macquarie established in 1817 to meet the spiritual needs of the colony. These, and other rare copies of the Bible, are now part of the Bible Society's "Heritage Bible Collection" housed in Canberra's St Mark's National Memorial Library.
Visitors to the Parramatta Display will be able to see a 1495 Latin Vulgate from the century of the invention of the printing press. There will also be historic English texts including a 1551 Tyndale, and a 1607 Geneva Bible; as well as the magnificent polyglot Bible from 1657, which remarkably presents its hand-written content in several "windows' on the page – in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Syriac, Ethiopic and Persian.
The Heritage Bible Display will also feature historic Chinese Bibles (including an 1856 Chinese Wenli), and Bibles from Russia, Assam and Tahiti. A particularly interesting facet of the Display are Bibles in Australian Aboriginal languages (1864), and Bibles which belonged to famous Australians such as the first Governor General, Lord Hopetoun.
Over the years, one man – historian and translation consultant Rev Dr John Harris – has passionately been the Bibles' curator, and has played a leading role in efforts to salvage each of these special copies. In recognition of his efforts, he will receive the Elizabeth Macquarie Award from the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir, at the Display's Official Launch at 1pm, Monday 19th July.
"The significant unifying feature of these Bibles is that they are now Australian," says Harris. "Some were brought here. Some originated here. Some were associated with important Australian events. But all are part of Australian history and part of our national heritage. It is vital to future generations that their beauty and significance is never lost."
The most fragile Bibles are kept in a temperature-controlled room at St. Mark's in Canberra, but more needs to be done for the entire collection. The Bible Society has limited resources to preserve this treasure from the ravages of time and the environment, and counts on donations from those who recognise the collection's incredible significance. Events like the Heritage Bible Display help to raise funds for their preservation, and a gold coin donation at admission is appreciated.
The Heritage Bible Display is on from 19-24 July at St John's Cathedral, Parramatta. Public viewing of the Display begins at 3pm on 19 July.
More details about the Display and two related events are available at http://www.biblesocietynsw.com.au/_literature_70740/Heritage_Bible_Display_Brochure