, 1880-12-05
WTTCLIFFE.

HrE HENDKEDTu ANNIVERSARY OF I1tE
FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE
BlgLE
The first translation Of the Bible into the
English language was scommemorated Thurs
d1r e1enlng at the Academy Of Music, New
Tu'k, under the auspices of the American
Bible Society. All the prominent preachers
nd many oi the distinguished laymcn of
Nex York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and
Washington were present. Tie chair was
oaupsee by ex-t;oy. Joshua L. Chamberlain.
After the singing Of hymn. the reading Of
Scripture selection, and a few remarks by
he Chair, the Rev. DIR. R. S. Storrs was in
uodnced as the orator of the evening. For
nearly two hours he spoke on the life and
hboss Of John WTclitfe, and the influence
Of his work on the centuries that have since
elapsed. After a passing alIusion to the
completion Of the Cologne Cathedral. which
wss celebrated in a regal manner few
weeks ago, the reverend Doctor said
thst In order to tell the story OF
Wyclide right 1t would ba necessary
to 60 back OF bis time, when the governing
authorities Of the Christian world would not
allow The people to own or read the Bible.
This refusal Of N ecclesiastical absolutism
conIadieted the earlier plan Of the Church.
The Hebrew md Chaldaic versions had been
written In the dialects familiar to the people
1mong whom and for whom they were pre-
pared before and after the captivity. When
dfeek became customary speech the Alex
Mar1an version was made, and in the time OF
Chtaa was commonly read and expoundedin in
NE synagog. rs it WAS long afterwards con-
h1aed In use By the Christian converts.
LEI again, u subsequent need arose that
@s scriptures be put into other languages
reach more directly remoter peoples, this
Nas cone without opposition, with encour-
ssement indeed. Of church authorities. So
sa@s saet', me early Latin versions, for use in
No!A Africa and in Italy, in the second
GGeatof5. 50 came the later translation of
ttelone fom the originals which afterward
eme e@eame practically the Bible Of Western
Sxlls.enoom. The SyIiac version, which be-
tS tSts @e end Of the second century carried
stsax ~ oG?ptures 10 the Euphrates, followed by
ssEs.il seis y me same tohgue, the Thcbaic and
hhsmpnlnc, hess4p which madp them equally at
fsnqth 1oms On the Nile, the .Etniopic Of the
ta@e IN.., ame, made by Nephilas, the
a.1snlan a,aS;a ct the fifth century, the
SS!isae, S.i.e, Persian, and all the others, to the
s.ac 1.a'onlc OF the ninth century, reveal the
dsa;pai ds.ae impulse Of wisdom and zeal, as all are
~ Gxaea ;st % bring the Quickening Word OF
Hstso ~ Mso contact with those to whom the
c.+o:s, csGT aod the Greek were not familiar.
Il itss9i!, -ea3!, 1or centuries after the Ascension,
a,n:N = ~oa!d nave seemed no less absurd to re-
n~a 1toaa "a we Scriptures to languages not under
On S ~. " M 0a people than it would have been
h. 1s crest OF Oliyet to have thrust wells
~ sau q me cloud which received the Lord.
-1a,,. % " aeaFe the disciples uncertain of Ills
en,;o. 5, 4le latest and flercest I:nman perse-
es..a;.q aai qnuer Galerius and Diocletian aimed
h. hiey its sas 70 destroy the Church by destroy
H. S sacred and lite-givin9 books.
xcnR rR primitive popular cilurci, organiza-
sn immse wnose picture is ineffaceably preserved
u atha thnoI1ai records, gave place by degrees
ethe,sp sp'endld and vast. imperial system,
H. ,tSasa ~ Ill the capital which still fascill-
H. ldncy and awes the imagination of
rincasa asaleo sa world, having prelates for its
osrr Fn,zo xno extending It's sway more widely
tofa1su1l ulope than had the Enipire wllic!, it
,ebaomed sb"se and surpassed. it was Uy no means
d at"'Is X. 1ot evil Undoubtedly, certain needs
smlr7 7 ulne found in it their desired
d;p.1' d;s,,1'' and important beueti1s to me-
H., Sso:lety are fairly ascribed to it.
rsn%aaa aa the tunlultuous populations of
tpjd tj sinoa 20 some degree Of civilized order,
ef h. h'oEeendous Es changes anu strife. the fall
ton, ..nsa anpte, the inroad OF barbarians
Khsn .n ancient governing order OF tIings.
% heaonMae Me sovereignty Vi force threatened
he sae snnl me law OF the planet, it asserted
IT, sap1'sAacy Of the spiritual order over
BUN na!af ,na! IN the Divine adjustments. Il
TEN i1sselaes sacins;elaes Tor those who sought in
Eu.y yS1sion snS ~ ard society. with Industry,
atse ,noaass a eas worship Of God. 1t defended
d. even breasts thai wore mail
nse,.9 ~ bands that held Iances lad "n, ~,