When she was ten years old, Mary went to school and learned to read. For six long years she saved up her money so that she would have enough to buy her own Bible. When, eventually she had saved up enough money, she walked, barefoot, to the town of Bala - a distance of 25 miles.

She arrived at Bala exhausted, but she sought out Rev. Thomas Charles to ask for a Bible to buy. Unfortunately, he had only three left, all promised to other buyers. When he looked at Mary, he felt so sad for her that he let her have one.

Later, at a meeting, Thomas Charles spoke about the need of Bibles in Welsh. People were so moved that, in 1804, The British and Foreign Bible Society was formed. Its aim was to provide Bibles for people all over the world, in their own languages, as cheaply as possible. It was not long before other Bible Societies were being formed throughout Europe.

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