Rev. H. DYER, D.D. Hon. E. L. FANCHER, LL.D. JOHN ELLIOTT, Esq. JOHN C. HAVEMEYER, Esq. S. D. WARREN, Esq. The chairman of this Committee, Hon. NATHAN BISHOP, LL.D., and Rev. Dr. WILLIAM ADAMS died before the New Testament revision was completed. In addition to these committees, Tischendorf, Kennen, Ewald, and nearly a hundred other eminent Bible scholars of the Continent (including several Catholic prelates) placed their special knowledge, their time, and their manuscrip ttreasures at the disposal of the committee, and, as corresponding members, have rendered assistance of the very highest value. Nothing could be more satisfactory than this whole arrangement, and the scholars appointed entered upon their great undertaking. Of the great and learned Christian men who have each of them devoted a lifetime to the correct readings of the New Testament, by the discovery of some, and the collation and comparison of thousands of manuscripts and versions in most all dialects, only a few are here mentioned apart from their noble co-laborers. Prominent among these distinguished scholars stands the Right Rev. CHARLES JOHN ELLICUTT, D.D., Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, England. He is now far advanced in life, having devoted himself from his early manhood to the work of New Testament criticism. He has given to the public an edition of the New Testament, with notes, which long since placed him in the front ranks of Biblical critics. Next in prominence comes the Most Rev. RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH, D. D., Archbishop of Dublin. Dr. Trench has long been known to the world of letters. His volume on the import of words, his work on the Parables, and especially his book on the need of a revision of the sacred Scriptures, have commanded the universal respect and confidence of all Biblical scholars. The Very Reverend ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY, D.D., is also known wherever the English language is read-and, indeed, throughout the civilized world. For a long time Professor of Ecclesiastical History in England's chief University, he has for many years since been Dean of Westminster, and after traveling extensively in the east, gave the results of his studies and observations in a work which stands as an authority in New Testament geography and topography. Next may be mentioned the Rev. JOSEPH ANGUS, D.D., President of the Baptist College, Regent's Park, London. He was in his young days the predecessor of Charles H. Spurgeon. But having devoted himself to the study and elucidation of New Testament Greek, he was made Professor of the department of Sacred Literature in Regent's Park College, and afterwards President. He ranks high among Hellenists. The Rev. DAVID D. BROWN, President of the Free Church College, Aberdeen, is the author of the most extensively known work on the second coming of Christ-opposing the pre-millenium view— that has ever been published. He is (together with Jameson and Fausset) the author of the very able and popular Commentary, republished in America and extensively circulated. Another great light in the fields of biblical study is Rev. JOSEPH LIGHTFOOT, D.D., Bishop of Durham. While Professor of Greek in England's greatest University, he was regarded as "a scholar who has no superior among the Germans in breadth and thoroughness of research." Since he has been exalted to the high position of Bishop of Durham-a position once occupied by the author of "Butler's Analogy," he has pursued his studies in this same line, with unremitting diligence, and an article from his pen in 1877 settled forever a controverted question, long discussed among scholars, in regard to a work by Tatian on the Harmony of the Four Gospels. The American Revisers are also men distinguished for extensive scholarship. As Chairman of the American Committee, stands at the head the name of PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., of the Union University, New York. He is known as the supervisor of the American translation of Lange's great Commentary. Professor Wм. HENRY GREEN, D,D., L.L.D., the venerable and erudite Professor of Greek in Princeton College, is Chairman of the Committee on the Old Testament. With these are associated the very first scholars of America, representing each of the leading denominations. Professor CALVIN E. STOWE has been known as a biblical scholar for nearly half a century, and his contributions to biblical literature have done honor to his age and country. Dr. THOMAS J. CONANT, D.D., long director of the "Bible Union," a translation society, has given to the public a new translation of Genesis, of Job, of the Psalms, and much of the New Testament. Professor Ezra Abbott, D.D., L.L.D., is Bussey Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation in the Divinity School of Harvard University, Mass. Among his valuable contributions to sacred literature, he has recently given to the public a work of surpassing value and great research, entitled "The Authorship of the Fourth Gospel," in which its genuineness is forever settled. stands deservedly among the first biblical scholars of the age. He Professor HORATIO B. HACKETT, D.D., L.L.D., died since the commencement of the work, but his vast learning while he lived was given to its promotion. Professor A. C. KENDRICK, the translator of Oldhausen's great Commentary, and Professor of Greek in Rochester University, is one of the most eminent of Greek scholars. All the men whose names are enrolled on the Committees, merit similar encomiums for special learning in particular departments, but it is deemed invidious and unjust to select where all are eminent. To simply give the list of such names is sufficient to inspire the universal confidence of all sincere students of God's word. CHAPTER II. PRINCIPLES AND METHODS ADOPTED. The Revisers no sooner entered upon their assigned work than the announcement was made, to allay all fears, that "the intention is not to furnish a new version, but a conservative revision of the already received version, so deservedly esteemed as far as the English language extends." "The new Bible is to read like the old, and the sacred associations connected with it are not to be disturbed." The principles adopted by both the English and American Committees at the outset, are the following: "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the text of the authorized version consistently with faithfulness. (Faithfulness to the original, which is the first duty of a translator, requires a great many changes, though mostly of an unessential character.) "2. To limit, as far as possible, the expression of such alterations to the language of the authorized or earlier versions. (So far, only one new word has been introduced in the New Testament.) "3. Each Company to go twice over the portion to be revised, once provisionally, the second time finally. "4. That the text to be adopted be that for which the evidence is decidedly preponderating; and that when the text so adopted differs from that from which the authorized version was made, the alteration be indicated in the margin. (The Hebrew text followed is the Masoretic, which presents few variations. The text of the New Testament is taken from the oldest and best uncial MSS., the oldest versions, and patristic quotations; while the received text from which King James' version was made, is derived from comparatively late mediæval MSS.) "5. To make or retain no change in the text, on the second final revision by each Company, except two-thirds of those present approve of the same; but on the first revision to decide by simple majorities. 66 '6. In every case of proposed alteration that may have given rise to discussion, to defer the voting thereon till the next meeting, whensoever the same shall be required by one-third of those present at the meeting, such intended vote to be announced in the notice for the next meeting. 7. To revise the headings of chapters, pages, paragraphs, italics, and punctuation. "8. To refer, on the part of each Company, when considered desirable, to divines, scholars, and literary men, whether at home or abroad, for their opinions." In other words, the method of labor was this: Both Committees took up, let us say, the first synoptic. The Americans revised it. The English revised it. The work was then exchanged, and each committee compared the revision with its own. Where they agreed the work was accepted. Where they disagreed the work was again gone over, explained, and exchanged, this being continued until agreement was had. There was very little disagreement, however, and the precaution provided for final disagreement was not necessary. |