The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-02-26
The Revision Of the New Testament.

Mar. 27-Prea rhino ~ E'n-'om Luke 8: l. 6
The Revision OF the New Testament.
WE have reason to believe that the
revised version of the New Testament
will be before the public in the early
part of this year. Expectation for some
time has been looking for the appear
ance of this volume with no common
interest. Curiosity has been restless to
learn what changes have touched tamil
lar and prominent texts, and anxiety
has been apprehensive that confidence
might be shaken in the old version, Sc
long, so deeply. and so deservedly
loved. Such result would, indeed, have
been worldwide calamity. We feel
it, therefore, to be an urgent duty to
lose no time in introducing our readers
to knowledge of this volume, SO far
at least as we can do this with a work
which is not yet before the public at
large. Happy are we to be able to re-
move doubts and surmisings which may
have given trouble. 1t gives us no
common pleasure to feel ourselves at
liberty to invite our readers to a
calm, and dispassionate, and smil-
ing reception. At present we for
bear elaborate criticism. We will
only give superficial view, pre-
missing that enlarged acquaintance
with the volume may induce us to
change or greatly modify our present
notice. So Tar as our judgment can de-
eide, the work has been executed with
iudicious caution and conscientious
care. We discern evident desire to
show respect in great extent TO the
wording and rhythm of the old version.
We might perhaps have expected from
the constellation of eminent scholars
who have devoted many hours in up
wards of four hundred days, spread
over more than ten years, that dis
play of brilliant scholarship would have
been exhibited. But no effort to OBJ
tain admiration by show of talent is
apparent The work is rather modest
than snowy. Here then we presume to
give unrestrained commentator. We
are thankful to perceive that the desire
to be faithful, honest and conservative
translators is the all-pervading desire.
The volume appears in paragraph form,
the chapters and verses being placed in
the margin. This may occasion some
difficulty in using it as book of refer
ence. The margins contain copious
notes of much interest. lm ...
This arrangement necessitates the
omission of the headings of the chap
tiers. As these headings were helpful
to prepare the reader for the contents
of each chapter, their absence can in no
sense be termed gain. OF course the
changes in the texts are very numer-
Gus. Scarcely chapter escapes their
invasion. While we cannot deny, but
gratefully acknowledge, that these
changes are almost universally in strict
accordance with grammatical precision,
we think it interesting to add that we
have not as yet discerned any instance
of important change in the meaning.
The grand and fundamental truths of
the precious Gospel are unassailed. We
are not invited to unlearn any essential
truth. We rejoice therefore in the
deepened persuasion that the old YER
sion is in all points of doctrine most
faithful and true. We limit ourselves
at present to the general statement that
the alterations are largely employed in
manipulating articles, propositions,
oOuoCo, anu cuCu uhc. Liz ucllultc
article frequently gives place to the in
definite, and Uice versa The propositions
are interchanged with their fellows in
copious abundance. The present, past
and future lenses are largely shifted
about. 1t would be superfluous to add
that in every instance in which the Au-
thorized Version contains an inaccurate
rendering the true meaning is enforced.
Care is shown to preserve consistency
in the rendcrings. When the best mean
ing of word has been adopted, the
same meaning retains its place through
out the volume" In this particular,
though it is not very important, the Au-
thorized Version contains some notable
faults. In a few instances some express
sions which may be regarded as obso-
lete are supplied by terms in more IA
miliar use. But it is evident that here
prudence has prevailed. We should
Lave regretted needless changes. The
language of the Bible has long pre-
served stability i'll our phraseology; it
has been the anchor which has kept the
vessel steady, and we are thankful that
the old Saxon for'the most part retains
its predominance, 1t would have been
almost sacrilege to have trihed with it.
We feel, then, that we may express the
opinion that our Authorized Version
will retain its hold on the confidence
and affection of the majority of readers,
and that they Will be content to place
the changes to which they attach inn
portance in the margin of the dear old
Book. div ,.~'r ...,t .fYl|
We subjoin some samples of rather
striking changes which occur in the vol
ume now before u.s. 'l"e"l-
SAMPLES OF REVISION.
Matthew iii. 1.-The past "oame'' Isl changed
into the present "cometh"
Matthew Ill. d." Suffered" changed into
"sutfereth."
Matthew Nv. b.-"n" pinnacle. chnnged into