The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-12-02
h OW THE IBLE CAME TO Us.
LECTURE FOURTH, THE HISTORY OF
THE ENGLISH BIBLE.
BY Rev. Albert r. Bond.
[Continued.l
III. THE GREAT BIBLE.

Myles Coverdale, who was born
in 1888. He finished his work
for the press in 1884. He obtain
ed no royal license for the sale of
his translation but it was not en-
tirely suppressed, The work of
Coverdale was less original than
that Of Tyndale.
John Rogers in 1887 issued a
version known as Matthew'S BIZ
BILE, and shortly afterwar0 Richard
Taverner published one. But all
these were unsatisfactory,
The feeling among the people
had become so strong that the
clergy could no longer evade the
necessity for an English Bible
with royal and ecclesiastical APP
proval. Accordingly prepara-
ton was made for the Great Bible.
Cranmer and Cromwell lent their
influence to this plan and Cover
dale was appointed to have charge
of the work. But this Great BIZ
BILE, authorized by king and cler-
gy, was little more than q revis-
ion OF Tyndale's translation.
w. THE BISHOPS BIBLE.
The Geneva Bible, published
in 1867, became the favorite in
England, taking precedence over
royalty favored ones. To Arch
bishop Parker belongs the honor
of the direction of the Bishops
Bible. Four years (t5j4.68) we're
devoted to the work. Portions
were given to prominent scholars,
of whom eight were bishops,
whence came the name for the
translation. Though Queen Eliz-
abeth ordered copy to be chain
ed in every church in the land this
version did not attain to popular
favor.
v. THE AUTHORIZED VERSION.
Thus far this is the most inn
portant translation. A confer
ence was held in January 1904 to
consider grievances presented by
the Puritans against the church.
men, and during the discussion
mention was made Of the need for
a new translation that would more
fairly represent the scriptural ba-
sis for the Puritan doctrines. The
churchmen gave small notice to
this suggestion, but King James
|. was much impressed by the
idea, however not because Of its
source. The pedant king, anx-
ious for scholarly reputation, con-
sidered the opportunity quite fa-
vorable for perpetuating his MEM
ory and fame. The plans for the
work were wisely made. Al
though fifty four scholars were
invited to engage in the work,
only forty seven did the work.
They were divided into six COM
panies with portions assigned. {.
There were to be no notes and
only marginal explanations that
set forth the meaning Of the orig
inal were permitted.
1 The rules to be followed GER
tainly manifested wisdom: the
Bishops Bible served as a basis,
departure from which was to be
made only when the original de-
manjed; no marginal notes but
to explain the Greek or Hebrew /;
each man must first do his work
by himself; each company must
then meet to consider its section ;
provision was also made for the
revision Of the whole.
In this body of translators
were represented the Established
Church, Puritan and even those
Of no party. The expense for the
work was to have been divided i,
but, following the kings exam
pie, those upon whom the burden
was placed did not respond, and
the revisers received only enter
tainment during the meetings ol
companies. They used all avail
! able helps, transIations and CON-
mentators in all languages. They
did not consider haste as neces-
sary. 10 1911 came, from the
press Of Richard Barker, who paid
well for the royal grant TO print
/ the book, The Holy Bible, con-
tanning the Old and New Testa-
ments, translated cut Of the orig
inai tongues, and with the former
transIations diligently compared
and revised, b. his Majesty 4
special command. -
Thus the inception and =