Looking back at over 70 years of contributions from our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II spoke consistently and publicly about her faith in God and was an extraordinary example of someone who led others with perseverance, generosity and wisdom.
Six months before her Coronation, Her Majesty asked the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth to pray for her and her service.
“Pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.”
Even from the beginning of her reign, The Queen always publicly honoured the God whom she serves.
In 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first patron of the National Bible Society of Scotland.
Many things have changed since she accepted this role, including our name, but throughout that time Her Majesty was a steadfast supporter of our work.
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Her Majesty The Queen, in response to an approach made by our President, the Earl of Selkirk, has been graciously pleased to become the Society’s first Patron. This news will greatly encourage supporters of the Society in all parts of Scotland, especially as it comes in Her Majesty’s Coronation Year.
Bibleworld Visit
On Friday 5 July 1991, Her Majesty The Queen paid a visit to our headquarters at Bible House, to perform the official opening of ‘BIBLEWORLD’, a new high-tech education centre for children. During this visit, she was presented with a Bible in an edition of the New Testement translated into Scots. Her Majesty expressed her thanks and said that she was interested to read it as long as she didn’t “have to read it out loud”.
Writing to Scottish Bible Society after the event, Her Majesty’s Private Secretary, Sir Kenneth Scott wrote;
“Her Majesty asked me also to pass to you and to the Society her warm thanks for the splendidly bound edition of the New Testament in Scots, which The Queen will much enjoy looking at and which will have an honoured place in the Royal Library.”
The Queen and the Commonwealth
In summer 2014, the Commonwealth Games came to Glasgow. To celebrate the fellowship and unity found within the Commonwealth, a commemorative edition of the New Testament was produced by Scottish Bible Society.
We were delighted that Her Majesty was willing to provide the introduction to the Commonwealth New Testament and set the context for the pages within.
She wrote:
“As the story of Jesus unfolds it shows us a way to live that brings peace, justice, love and joy – all much needed in our world today.
My prayer is that as you read this book you will find much that inspires me and the Christian church, in Scotland and throughout the world.”
We give thanks to God for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
