The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-29
Omr Contributors.
The Revised Version of the
New Testament.
BY REV. H. c. ALEXANDER, D. d.

No t.
Let us now see exactly at what stage
we have arrived in this discussion. The
first question that might logically present
itself to disinterested inquirer on this
general subject, is, should there be a
Bible at all? Of course this question
does not arise in this debate. The first
question on this subject that at any time
actually called for settlement, was this:
Should there be Version,of the Bible
in English? When we reflect upon the
place our mother tongue holds in the
scheme of human languages, as we'll as
the influence it has exerted, and is still
exerting, on the fabric of modern civili-
zation and on the destinies of the Chris
tian Church, it is manifest that this oues-
ton turns on another and a wider one.
viz, this: Should the Bible be suffered to
appear in any other form than that of
the original languages? These questions
have already been decided, and decided
in the affirmative. The second practical
question that came up for consideration
was the following, viz: Should the Eng
lish Bible be from time to time revised {?
Here, again, the decision evidently turns
on the larger question, Should the trans
late@ Bible Chat is, the Bible as presented
In some other form than that of the orig
inal tongues) be revised? These ques-
+ionc he ua baan briaA, =, oons;J Jorol =, IL,
series of essays. These questions also
have been finally decided, and once more
the decision has been an affirmative one.
The' only other question of a strictly
practical nature that remains for exami-
nation is of comprehensive character
and involves a variety Of others which
are partly of practical and partly of
theoretical bearing; and it is this, viz:
Should the Revision of 1880 be accept
ed by our people and churches in lieu Of
the Authorized Version of King James !?
This raises at once a number of secondary
points on which the issue, it will be clear,
must be determined. This subordinate
investigation may be reduced to three
main lines Of interrogation, and four or
i've auxiliary and dependent, though not
perhaps In every case absolutely essential
inquiries. The first Of these principal,
though still related and subordinate ques-
tions, is the following, viz Is the So
called Authorized Version of King James
so good as to make further revision un-
desirable? The second, is this one Is
the present Revision on the whole de-
cided improvement on King James The
third and final one is as follows In any
case, ought the present Revision to be
substituted in lieu of the Authorized
Version2
The first Of these subordinate oues-
tions has been to some extent brought
under the notice of your readers in the
preceding articles Of this series. There
IS something yet that may be said upon
It, 1t is truism that nothing Of human
origin has ever yet reached the acme of
perfection. 1t is by no means so clear,
however, in advance Of special scrutiny,
that given human production may not
nave reached point of excellence 50 high
as to make laisscz faire, and no6 me tam
gere, the safest notices in regard to it
lake for instances the Confession of Faith
and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms
oi the Presbyterian Church. They are
after all in good part mans handiwork,
and therefore capable of improvement;