The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-06
church, both in Great Britain and Amer

oi"eeo manuscripts In eXlStence), the
benefit of the comparatively new science
OF biblical criticism, and enlarged knowl-
edge of the Holy Land. With these ad-
vantages over previous revisers, they
have labored nearly eleven years, with
out compensation, to give US the nearest
English equivalent for the original Scrip
lures.
In general, the changes from the au-
thorlzed version are more exact and COR
rect renderings of the original Greek.
and, since the great object of every trans
latlon Is to approximate as nearly as pos
sible to the thoughts of the Holy Spirit
as embodied and expressed in the origi-
nal Scriptures, this is an excellence of
the highest value.
Among the merits of this revision we
note the following: The substitution of
modern tor obsolete words; the uniform
rendering OF proper names throughout the
blDle; the omission of the headings to
the chapters, which are in reality a COM
mentary, and form no part of the Scrip
lures; and the noting In the margin only
OF the convenient but arbitrary division
OF the Bible into chapters and verses
which is a matter of purely human origin.
In the few instances of important
changes and omissions the revisers have
evidently sought with diligent and con-
sclentious care to give us the translation
OF purer text of the original Greek.
Had the changes proposed by the
American revisers, as printed in thesap-
Pendlx, been generally adopted, in our
Judgment the revision would have been
still further improved
The authorized version is the first
and the greatest of English classics. and
a living reproduction of the original
SCRIPTURES in idiomatic English by men
as reverent and devout as learned. and
Its best recommendation is its universal
adoption and use in every Protestant
church and household where the ENGLISH
language is spoken. 1t has admirably
served It's purpose for 27O years, and is
SO interviewer with English and American
literature that it can never be entirely
superseded"
And yet at the same time this revision
marks an era in biblical scholarship
and its publication meets and tends
largely to satisfy the general and urgent
demand for the more accurate RENDERING
OF the original Scriptures into the Eng
fish tongue.
Its circulation and use as companion
and commentary and help to the au-
thorlzed version will, in our Judgment
result IN the far wider diffusion and more
correct understanding of God s Word.
Ii the American Bible Society had the
right, under its present charter, to pub
llsh this revision we would recommend
such publication, not to supplant the
authorized version, but as a comnanion
to it and an aid to the better understand
ing OF the Scriptures. But a change of
char t IN advance of the revision Of the
Old Testament, and before the Christian
public has formed or expressed an opin-
ION, would be at least premature. And,
as any change of charter involves impor-
tant and difficult questions of varied in
terests and vested rights, That entire sub
Ject can, in our judgment be best left to
the careful consideration and sound dis.
erection of the parent society.
The report is signed by A. w. Pitzer,
chairman, pastor Central Presbyterian
church and president of the Washington
City Bible Society; W. w. Patton. presi.
dent Howard University j: @. Hagey.
pastor Union Methodist church J. Fl.
Cuthbert, pastor First Baptist church,
William Dinwiddie, pastor Second Pres,
byterian church, Alexandria; B. F. Bit
finger, pastor Westminster PRESBYTERIAN
church John II. Elliott, associate rector
church Of the Ascension, and J. GEORGE
Butler, pastor Memorial (Lutheran)
church.
No discussion of the report was held,
but, on motion, it was unanimously
adopted and ordered to be sent to the
parent society in New York. A grant
of twelve Bibles was ordered for Queen
chapel, in the county, and forty Tesla
ments for Mr.. John Whiteford, to be dis
trlbuted among prisoners in the Jail and
workhouse. Mr.. Smell, agent for the
society, in his statement for the month
showed that he had made ninety-nine
calls, supplied twenty EIGHT Testaments
and twelve Bibles to destitute families
and collected $31. Messrs. Ballantyne
Pitzer, and Shields were appointed a
committee to draft resolutions expressing
the regret Of the society for the loss Of
It's late vice-president, Mr.. w. III. Camp
bell and present them to the family Of
the deceased. The society then adjourned
till the last Monday in September.