, 1879-03-30

AAAAS NA>AN-%A
WORK.
Boston Adperstser.
The fact that revision Of the authorized
version Of the Bible has been undertaken Is
well known, and the public has from time to
time been informed Of the general character
and progress Of the work. But more particular
statement may be Of interest to many readers,
The fact that the version in common use is
not regarded by scholars us perfect translation
OF the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures
has been made familiar to the masses, not only
by the frequent corrections made by preachers
in their pulpits, but by many independent trans
lations which have been put out during the last
TWENTY-FIVE years. These translations have,
indeed, met with no general favor, md
have sometimes, BY their imperfections and
their ill-advised dcviations from the old
ycrsiou, seemed to endear the latter
more than ever to the popular heart: but
they have, nevertheless, Ind the effect Of dis
turbiny the almost eupcrstitious confidence
which men have begun TO put in the authorized
version. There are certain errors in it which
almost every one has learned about. There are
obsolete words which have to be explained
afrcsh to every child. There are inaccuracies
which unnecessarily obscure what might easily
be made clear. The progress OF Biblical and
pathological knowledge, and the discovery OIL
manuscripts OF the New Testament far older and
more accurate than those from which the
authorized version was made, have rendered it
impossible to satisfy the reasonable desire, on
the one hand, more perfectly to reproduce Tor
common use the meaning OF tile Scriptures, anu
on the other to issue such version as by the
very method OF its production would inspire
confidence in its accuracy, and would 1orcs1all
other oue-sided attempts to improve tile common
version. >,
Accordingly, in the spring,of 1870, the Convo-
cation OF Canterbury, representing the larger
portion. of the Anglican Church, resolved to III
;l1aurate revision OF the authorized version.
Certain numbers OF the ConVocation we're des'g-
mated to serve in the work, aud other scholars,
members both Of the Established Church anu of
the pon-cunform;st bodies, were adncu to the
number. there ben:, about fifty IN oil, ot which
une-half constitute the Old Testament company
and the other half the New Testament company
The most noteworthy facts resuvctin:, the work
arr rs follows: /. The new version is to be
reyisjo,. of the old one, not new translation.
Tie purpose is ..to introduce as few alterations
as possible in the text OF the authorized version
consistently with faith1ulness." 2. Tie changes
arr. further, to be so limited as not 70 a1est Tue
central stye of the old version. Archaic ex-
rressions are not to be changed when they
sa,1s+. no opscurity. When changes are
nude the principle adopted is "to limit,
rs far as possible. the expression 1tlra
Of such alterations TO Me cea;al;e lanSuasS !;
That is. if words not nov found ln the Bible
must Ue introduced tor the SAKE OF fafthful.::
uess 1her shall, il possible, mt be such as have
a modern sound out Of keeping with the cen
eral style OF the Bible. (3) Every part OF eacn
OF tie Testaments is to be revised oy the whole
company charged with its revision, ~ Every
book Of the Bible must be gone over twice, and
at the second revision vote of two-thirds IS