This gift of a bible to Epstein, who was Jewish, was obviously intended as a joke, although rather surprisingly, there doesn't appear to be any indication of affection in George's succinct inscription. It's tempting to think that this may have been the only copy of a Bible that Epstein ever owned. The gift of the Bible possibly follows Lennon's famous comment in his interview with Maureen Cleave, that The Beatles were more popular than Christ, and the ensuing dramas in America on the Beatles' Tour of 1966. When the furore initially broke in America, Epstein was still in England where he was sick. Nat Weiss, Epstein's American business partner, recalled however that Brian flew over as soon as he told him how serious the situation was. The first thing he asked on arriving in the States was 'How much would it take to cancel the tour?'.. Weiss recalled ..He was so concerned about anything happening to any of the Beatles. For two days John and Brian were on the phone working out a statement to the effect that John certainly intended to hurt no one. When it was worked out, Brian set up a press conference, read the statement, and that ended the situation. Brian ensured that no one could get close to the Beatles, in the dressing room or elsewhere, Weiss commented ..This man was very protective of them...