The New York herald., 1871-12-08
REVISION OF THE BIGLE.
Address by the Dean Of Chester-Origin and
Progress of the Work Of Revising the Scrip
lures in England-Interesting In
stances OF the Corrections-An
American Committee Formed.

meeting was held last night at Calvary church,
corner OF Fourth avenue and Twenty first street. TO
hear an address by the Very Rev. Dean OF Chester,
England, Dr. H0wson on benalf OF the movement
which has been in operation In england for some
time past to revise the version Of the Bible at
present accepted by all American and English
Protestants and popularly Knowu as the King
James Bible. There was o considerable
gathering OF venerable clerRymen and lay
men as well as many ladies' who take
a deep interest in the question. the opening
remarks were delivered by Dr. Washburn. rector OF
Calvary church. He contended that the revision
was right In spirit. 1t had been urged against 1t
that 1t something tending to shake faith IN the
Word OF God. II we believe IN and reverence his
Word, becomes US as Christians and scholars that
we should have the most correct Interpretation OF 1t
MADE IN THE PUREsT LANGUAGE
The time mad come for this revision. It should
be approached with feeling Of veneratlon
worthy OF the work, and he was sure that
those In England who had the work
In hand were among the most reverend, wise and
discreet in the world. In making any alterations
they should keep near as possible to that Saxon
Bible OF which we are SO proud-pure wen OF Eng.
lish unueiled as 1t H. In advocating this work he
felt that no preliminary word would make 1t accept
able or otherwise to Chrlstendom 1t must be proved
by the PERFECTION OF Its completion. II II Is perfect
it win live; II not Il viii pass away as It would de-
serve Praying blessing on the reviSerS, he intro
duced the Very Rev. Dean OF Chester.
DEAN HOwsoN
now came forward and said 1t gave him great
pleasure TO address those VINO do not belong
to the Church here OF the Church OF England.
late Convention In Baltimore. On the question
before them-that OF revising the authorized yer.
We're, a biblical atmosphere, and with those e
living and breathing IN 1t 1t could be held
that wnere II was clearest rest. religious contro.
In love OF the Holy Scriptures that The work had
been undertaken; the object to learn concusivey
the accurate meaning OF the Holy Word. He would
explain the position In England. Enlightened pub
lie opinion there has been tending to this for some
literature must Enow-witness the writings Of DR..
Trench, Archbishop OF Dublin; Professor " MestOn,
large awakening Of y pubic sentiment has been
going on aud II would seem that God has touched
THE HEARTS OF MANY EMINENT MEN
at the same time, TO the end that His Word
brought before & the the oonvocaon Of Canterbury
adopted Mistakes may have been made and com.
pcations have arisen The greatest OF these is
on record, taken different view from. that by the
sister Oonvocail0n: so 1t happens that the YORK
Convocaon Is holding aloof AMI, as one under that
revision am, therefore, all the more free to advo-
cate 1t. 1t would be calamity If America did
it would be completed oil denominations
should combine to receive and adopt 1t. 1t is sig
ncant tnat It is not the work OF an ecclesiastical
body, Dut OF competent Biblical scholars lie
trusted the meeting would have the effect OF re.
moving much mlsgiving here on the point at issue.
IN ONE BROAD, GENERAL VIEW
its cause could be stated. 1t Is desirable that the
version Of The Scripture IN our vernacular should be
as perfect as possible. The moment was ripe for Ii,
ana our responsibility Is the greater from the fact
tnat the English language seems destined to become
Is objected that the win increase doubt.
He would say tnat great deal Of doubt exists. 1t
that very vague doubt Impossible to define. Their
motto was, 'Wnatsoever Is true,r and we have no
right 10 let any error exist which we can correct.
Another objection ana grayer one Is that 1t will
tear up and render obsolete that literature wherein
the Bible is so often quoted. the Revising Commit
tee have laid down two rules which il win be well
Frst-No alteration 10 he made, unless in the
careful opinion OF the revlsers 1t be absolutely
.Sscond.-rnat all alterations be expressed in the
Alterations will arise from either OF two causes.
Either the copy Of the Hebrew or Greek text trans
lated from was faulty, or else
THE TRANSLATION ITSELF WAS FAULTY,
Changes Of much Importance could be made with
to the Ephesans doubts had arisen from the absence
OF the usual salnaiions whether It was really the
WORD Ephess had read or bu e
the discovery OF the Snatic manuscript had settled
the question, because blank was found In the first
verse where The word Ephesus stands In our trans
lation proving 1t 10 have been circular letter. the
blank 10 be filed in, according to which congrega.
W,
verse lFOr the fruit OF the spirit is in ali good
ness, righteousness and unth) the word 'spirit''
should read '1i2ht.n BY this change the
whole context Is Illuminated ana made
to shine in all It's graceful beauty. In
i. Timothy. VI, s, the expression that "galn
Is godiness" should read "godliness 1s gam" Not
even miser would pretend that the first is correct.
Further 1t says 1.-THE love OF money the root OF
all evllr If Is the root there could be no other
radix. It should appear Love Of money is root
OF all eviln In the Gospels The oftused 'slran at
gnat and swallow camen Is evidently mis-.
nj n u req
''STRAIN OUT GNAT
and swallow camelr the perfection OF the figure
Is seen. In ST. Luke's account OF the Passion
OF our Lord where II says. "Nothing wor..
thy Of death has been done unto HIM.
the substitution OF 'by' for unto" is more logical
and correct In st. John, zone fold and one shep-
herd'' should be zone mock and one shepherd" q
change which carries wider kndlier sense than
the words OF the present version. The Anglican
Church was not arrogaiing anything in commenc.
ing this work. ana the best proof 0f that was that
America was Thyired 10 co o-operatc
br. ScHAFF announced tnat an American CON-
mittee mad been formed yesterday to carry on the
revision. The work Will take seven years. Tue
English reyiser5 Will send over their sheets, the
American committee VIII pass upon and return
them. Al the completion OF the revision a Joint
committee Will pass upon the perfected work.