New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-06
THE REVISION or THE NEW TESTAMENT
DR.. Anous in The Sundqv Ma1a.ine.

cNHuUY
During the last ten years work has been In pro-
gress among us which has interest Tor all Eng sh-
speaking people-tho revision OF the English New
Testament. Ii began with resolutions of the COnvo-
cation of Canterbury at session held May o.
1870. They were to the effect that it was desirable
that revision of tho authorized version OF Holy
Scripture should be undertaken that no changes
should be made but such as faithfuness required:
that the style Of the anggage OF the existing version
operation Of scholars OF other nations and
other religious bodies should be invited.
committee of eight bishops and eight prcsbyters
was appointed to carry out these resolutions. of
whom three bishops Wine hester Gloucester and
BRISTOL and Salisbury together with he Prolocutor
of the Low er House now Dean OF Llchield HE Dean
of Canterbury (Dr. Affords the Dean OF Ncstmn-
ster and Canon Blakesley NOW Dean of Lincoln.
formed the original New Testament Company. At
the first meeting of the united committee twenty
one scholars were elected as members OF the New
Testament Company. Tho same year companies
were formed in America TO cooperate with the Eng
lish companles the New Testament Company con
sisting OF fifteen eminent American scholars. Both
the English and the American Company contain
members OF the larger religious bodies IN the two
countries respectively About half of the added
members Of the English companies were members
of the English Church In the American companies
the various religious bodies are pretty equally rep
resented.
The mode of working between the two companies
is interesting. The English Company first revised
the Greek text and the translation, examining to-
gether every verse and every word. This was done
at the rate OF about forty verses day. and IT TOOK
six years to complete the first revision. AS cach
portion was completed copies were sent to the Amer
lean Company. who In due course sent back Their
criticisms and suggestions. These were carefully
considered during the second revision, which Occu-
pied two years and half. As the various portions
of the second revision were completed. they were
sent to America, and the Americans sent back tur-
thcr criticisms and suggest Oas, which were III turn
carefully considered. At last the revised version was
sent to America IN its final FORM, and the Amer
lean brethren sent back return list of passages
in which they record their pref for other rem
derings than those adopted by the Engli;h Com
pany These it is understood. will be found ut the
nf Ia 10 aGif nf n n
mcnt to be issued by the University presses.
The meetings Of the English Company began each
day at o'clock and closed at q. After prayer, the
minutes of the previous meeting were read and con,
tirmcd A verse was then read from the authorized
version. Any proposals for changes in the Greek
text were made discussed and voted upon and then
any changes the renderings of the English trans
lation AT the frst revision ajOrty OF the NOM
bcrs present decided all changes AZ tho second ro-
vision all these changes were Liable to be recon-
sIdered and then 10 disputed change. either III the
Greek text i'll tho revised translation. was affirmed
unless oy 1e LAID dO%
at the outset and gave a great prepondcrance,
not unreasonably. to the authorized version. Az
the same time it was likely to end i'll the retention
of readings and renderings which decided majority
of the company deemed the less satisfactory. IL IL
obvious to remark also that under such rule many
a rendering was likely to be retained not be-
cause the authorized version Is the best possible Out
because ii was not found practicable TO mt upon
expressions which were deemed by two,thirds OF the
company TO be preferable to the authorized. Some
tines too. it may be supposed. the rhythm ana
sacred associations of the authorized version would
be likely to carry the day against rcnderings that had
possibly greater technical accuracy on their side
Most readers will rejoice i'll the conservative infu-
ence of these rules, and they have certainly ended
in the more careful examination OF every word OF
the New Testament. whether in the English or
ia the Greek.
The meetings of the English Company were gener-
ally held by the courtesy of the Dean OF West
minister, in the Jerusalem Chamber; a room belong
lug to the Deanery Hero met tho Assembly OF
Diyines in 1913; and. in 1850. the Commission to
revise the Liturgy of the English Church. Some OF
the greatest English theOlogans Of all schools have
assembled within its walls and many eminent men
have here lain in state on their way to their hnal
resting place in the adjoining Abbey. room richer
in appropriate historical memoriess not to be FOUND
in England. .,...
wear during tho last ten years. for four days each
time, and generally for seven hours each DAY 1dd
NAV be said therefore, that they have gwen 4oo
,D"Tkino DAYS to these conferences in addition tn
much individual previous preparation. And as TINS
work has been done without fee or reward ny ouS
thanks OF all the churches.