The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-16

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THE COMMENCEMENT OF WESTMINSTER THEo-
IoGIcAI, SEMINARY, WESTMINSTER, MD, MAY
5TH, 1885.
Whenever you interfere with the Bible
YOU touch the centre from which flows the
| life blood Of the Christian world.
Thousands of other books are revised
eyery year and hardly produce ripple,
but the whole world stops to give its Judg-
ment on the revision Of 1870.
And this is truly an interesting question,
for it involves the sacred treasure, above all
else, that we hold most dear.
The Revised Version is before US; but
before examining the changes made let us
pause for few moments to learn just what
has been revised.
The Authorized Version is itself the re-
suit of several revisions. The first full
translation of the New Testament was made
by VIM. Tyndale, the patriarch Of Biblical
translators, who, after taking every advan-
taoe of the revival of the Greek language
and literature, entered upon his great life
work. and in 1926 brought out the cele-
brated English translation of the New les
lament. But it was received with bitter
denunciations, and its author in 1886 was
beheaded at Vilvordan. The work IN
which life was so nobly spent was as
nobly done, and the excellency of all later
translations have been almost in exact pro-
portion as they followed his.
But as Tyndale's was rejected, and the
necessity of an English translation was
felt to supply the want Of the people, other
translations were encouraged. Cromwell
placed the work into the hands of Covers
dale. but his was mere translation from
the German, and fs.led to give satisfaction.
In 1887 Matthews Bible appeared, and
two years later Tavener's and Cranmers $,
but these also failed to supply the need.
In 1860, during the reign of Mary, the
Geneva Bible was prepared and published
by English exiles in Geneva. Itwas based
on Tyndale's, and from excellency of trans
lation and convenience of publication, soon
became very popular, and even held the
field for some time against the Authorized
| Version.
About this time there appeared also the
Bishops Bible.
In 1911 these last two translations were
used almost exclusively: The Bishops,
sanctioned by the King and used IN the
churches; the Geneva, receiVed by the
people and read in the homes.
But both of these Bibles were full OF
errors, and scholars became convinced OF
the need of new translation.
Finally, after much agitation Of the sub
iect. it was brought up at the Hampton
Court Conference in 1906. The King
took the matter in hand, and appointed 54
scholars to perform the work, with instruc-
tions that the Bishops Bible be the basis
of the translation, and that Tyndale s,
Coversdale's, Matthews, Cranmer's and
the Geneva be followed whenever more
correct. But the translators disregarded
this rule, and for the most part followed
the Geneva, thus placing on our English
Bible the impress of the mind of Tyndale.
When the translators had finished this
work, in 1911, it was ushered into the
world with no great stir; but as gravitation,
working quietly, draws all things to the
centre of the universe, so this English
Bible has for the last two hundred years
been powerfully drawing the hearts OF men
to the centre of all things in heaven and
earth-to God, the omnipotent Father.
We are more and more learning to ap-
preciate its true worth and beauty. Its
Incompatible English has, ever since the
days of Elizabeth, received the praise of
friends and compelled the admiration OF
enemies. DIR. Faber, after having left the
Church of England for the Church of Rome,
gave the following remarkable judgment of
its transcendant excellence and exquisite
beauty: at lives on the ear like music
that can never be forgotten; like the sound
of church bells, which the convert hardly
knows how he can forego. x The
memory of the dead passes into it. The
potent traditions of childhood are stereo-
typed in its verses. The power of all the
griefs and trials of man are hidden be-
meath its words. 1t is the representative
of his best moments, and all that there has
been about him of soft and gentle and pure
and penitent and good speaks to him for
ever out of his English Bible.
The Authorized Version well merits this
tribute; but, in spite of all the perfections
of this grand old version, it has been found
in many respects to be impcrfect-in trans
lation, in manuscript, and on account OF
changes in the English language. Though
this fact has been repeatedly pointed out
by scholars, it has only been the active
scholarship of the present century that has
placed it in its true light, and compelled
the Christian world to acknowledge the
defect.
After many attempts at revision, sue
cessful attempt was made in 1870, when
committee was appointed by the Convoca
ton of the Province of Canterbury to re
wise the King James Version. This com
mittee selected other scholars, and after
wards invited and received the cooperation
of a similar body in America. Each com
mittee divided into two parts-one to have
charge of the Old Testament and the other
of the New.
The remainder of this thesis will have tc
do with that part ofthe Commission having
charge of the New Testament.
These men were the finest scholars
trained in the best schools, and represent
ing the choicest Greek culture of the age
which is far in advance of the Greek scho
lars of two hundred and fifty years ago.
And not only this fact of learning, bu
they had better manuscript authority of tn
Greek text. Let us briefly compare th'
manuscript authority represented by tn,
Greek text of the Authorized Version, witt
that of the Revised Version.
The original Greek text was, for the frs
time, given to the world in 1916 by Eras
mus. His materials were very meagre
only having access to inferior manuscript
of late date; and many words found in hi
, text are entirely due to the learning ant
imagination of the author.
This was revised by Stephens, and thel
by Beza. They had only one ancient man
uscript, (the Beza), but not being aware o
its value, followed almost exclusively tn
text of Erasmus.
With this meagre authority the transla
tors of 1911 worked, and on it they base,
the translation we hold so dear to-day.