The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-18
THE ENGLISH BIBLE.
The King james Version the Most
Splendid Monument of a Splendid
Age.

(Fr m the Nineteenth Century Review.
Elizabeth died in March 1908. and with
the accession of James the First we arrive
at length within sight of that stately
and monumental work which was des-
tined not merely to eclipse but absolutely
to efface its rivals, and to enter upon a
reign which has endured unbroken for
now nearly three hundred years, and in
the unGiminished lustre of which we still
live. We need waste no words in praise
of the Authorized Version of the Bible.
1t is generally accepted as a literary mas
terpiece, as the greatest and most beau.
tiful book in the world.
All possible pains were taken to secure
the services of the best men for translat-
ors. Intellectual competence and proved
capacity were the only tests. Puritan and
Anglican, linguist and theologian, lay
man and divine, worked harmoni uslylside
by side. OF the hfty-four names which
were originally chosen, the lists that have
come. down to US include only forty
seven, but we can see with what care and
catholic.ty of mind the appointment of
revisars had been made. They were or
ganized in six companies Two met at
Oxford, two at Cam bridge, two at West
minister. 10 each company a certain por-
ton of the Bible was given to work upon.
Their basis was the Bishops Bible. Other
versions were to be used only when they
"agreed with the text" of the originals.
The versions specified were those of Tyn-
dale, Matthew, Coverdale, the Great
biule, and the Bible of Geneva. The
translators, however. did not consider
themselves to be In any way confined to
these. They consulted every version,
whether English or FOREIGN, hat was ac-
cessible to them, and were largely indebt-
ed to Beza, to the khemish Testament
and TO lremellius.
Ia 1871 the Authorized Version, folio
volume in black letter type. WAS pub
lished. The title page bore the words
appointed to be read in churches but
no evidence is forthcoming that any such
formal appointment was ever niaue either
by the King or by Parliament. by Convo-
cation or by the Privy Council. In any
case it was quite unnecessary. Not by any
means at once, but gradually and surely
this noble version took up its natural
position, u position from which 1t does
not al present seem III any near danger
OF being dlslodged. so far is 1t from los
ing ground that IL has been already trans
lated into not far short of two hundred
languages and dialects, while something
like three million copies OF it are poured
out year by year by the English press.
Truly may we say of il tnat Its sound has
gone forth into all lands. and its words
unto the ends of the world.
1t is natural to the human mind TO
search for causes, ana confronted with a
phenomenon 30 striking rs the KING $
bible we ara driven almost against our
wills to inquire to what happy conluno-
ton OF circumstances its unique position
may be ascribsd.
In tho first place, then, the Authorized
Version WAS indebted for its success to
the personable qualifications Of the re-
yisers. They were the best scholars and
linguists Of their day. lacy we've also
men OF deep piety. they spared no pains
to maGe their work AS ertect ms they
could. They were not the slaves, but the
masters of the rules which guided them.
They never lost sight of the iac1 that the