Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-25
The New Versfon.

WHAT DIX. WILLS SAYS.
Chaplain David Wills SAYS 10 regard 10 the
new version OF the Scriptures that cit is un-
wise either 20 adopt or retsct Sc az tais early
stage OF its history. The Judgment OF the
christian public In regard to its merits has not
YET had time enough to mature and Ia the last
analy Sis the masses OF the religious world will
ana must decide its destiny. Scholars alone
can never insure permanent success for any
Wofk, especially for one OF a moral and re-
Iglous character. The common people are the
nbsI arolters on every question OF this Kind.
sh nsiS Is somelnlng higher Than mere scholar
snip 10 The intellectual and moral instincts of
men, and this at last is the controlling element
ln eli The graver problems OF life.
The English and American committees on the
revision are confessedly composed OF en-
melt scholars, who have given 10 the world
a noble monument OF their leaning and
zeal fer the truth. They have mad free
access 10 Immense stores of sacred kpowletye
OF which King James translators were totally
ignorant, and they are the true represe natives
OF chIistepdon. They have Introduced no
essential changes into the substance OF Chris
,lah doctrine and duty-the corrections they
have made In the authorized version are chiefly
typographical and verbal The reyisers have
therefore, given us no new Bible. bat have
simply repuDlished the old one emoodying the
Iesults or more advanced stage OF sacred
criticism, and better adapted TO the English
speaking nations OF the earth The necessity
ior revision grew out OF the constant changes
10 which every living language is subject.
Within the last two centuries certain words in
the New Testament have been made TO express
directly opposite meanings; such as prevent"
1or ''pfecede," "let" for hinder Carriages,
lor baggage" etc. In the revised version
The proper distinctions are also made batween
tne terms Hades and GeheDna and between
oeSil ana Demon" Many antiquities OF
speech aIe removed and many Typographical
errors corrected, such as ''strain out a gnatn
1or strain at gnat" Many other corrections
are made which are required by the laws OF
Biblical scholarship.
But with tie many circumstances 10 It's
favor the new version, IN its present shane
VIII never receive the seal OF adoption from the
Christian world. Apart from numerous infe-
Hclut Ia language u antagoniZeS a translation
when for the period OF $40 years has been
thoroughly Embedded In the moral convictions
OF mankind and which Is the great English
classic OF the civilized world. Like the noble
Bsnyan tree IL has interlaced its living branches
Win all the relations and pursuits OF life-ft is
the 1nfalllole rule OF faith and practice TO all
feDgious communities, the cornerstone OF the
social edlnce and the broad char6er Of human
lptrty. lt has swee ened all the ssnctitles OF
lie. ehbalmed the chamber OF af1liction and
sorroW and shed the golden light OF immortal-
ny on the gloom or the grave. In word it IS
lLseparably associated with the dearest recol-
lections and the brightest hopes OF hundreds OF
millions OF mankind.
What, then, shall he done with the new YER
sion? We answer e II as a commentary aud
companion TO King James Bible I'LL the time
comes when both versions may be made the
body and the spirit OF o still more perfect trans-
latl0n or the word OF God"