the last two verses of Acts iv, belong to chap. v. No longer is the remark (John ii, 23) that many believed because they saw miracles, cut off from the illustration afforded by the case of Nicodemus which follows (John iii, seq.); and the partition is taken down which separated the twelfth of Hebrews from the foregoing chapter which has presented to view the cloud of witnesses' by whom (xii, 1) we are said to be surrounded in the Christian race."

The number of marginal notes, also, at once arrests attention. This feature we count to be a signal merit. We want to know what the authors of the New Testament really said; and if there is a doubt on this point, we want to know that fact, also, and between what words, or collocations of words, the choice lies. The advantage of a smooth page is nothing if it is obtained at the cost of accurate information. Many of the marginal notes relate to the Greek text. It is best that all the essential facts respecting the Bible should be communicated to its readers. If the effect is to modify somewhat their theories about the Scriptures, the real power of the Bible will not be diminished, and in the long run there will be a gain to practical religion. Vague suspicions are dispelled. Somnolence is broken up. A new spur is given to investigation and reflection.

To obviate all these the present version is given in paragraphs, so as to give the connection; at the same time the old division into chapters and verses is indicated by figures at the head and on the margin of the pages.

The manner of showing the quotations from the poetical books of the Old Testament will also be one of the marked changes to the eye. In fact, it may be said that nearly all the changes made are far more noticeable to the eye than to the ear. So that it is evident that the changes are more apparent than real-are very conservative in substance. The new book will look different from the old, but will sound very much the same.

CHAPTER V.

GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED.

It had been stated at the outset of this great undertaking, that it was not intended to furnish a new version, but a conservative revision of the old. The Venerable Dr. Trench, Archbishop of Dublin, in his work on the need of revision, published in 1858, uttered this language:

"It is clear that the question, Are we, or are we not to have a new translation of the Scripture? or, rather, since few would propose this who do not wish to lift anchor, and loosen from its moorings the whole religious life of the English people, shall we, or shall we not have a new revision of the Authorized Version? is one which is presenting itself more and more familiarly to the minds of men." "Of the arguments against a revision none will deny the weight. Indeed, there are times when the whole matter presents itself as so full of difficulty and doubtful hazard, that one could be well content to resign all gains that would accrue from this revision, and only ask that things might remain as they are; but this, I am persuaded, is impossible. However we may be disposed to let the question alone, it will not let us alone. It has been too effectually stirred, ever again to go to sleep; and the difficulties with which it is surrounded, be they few or many, will have at no distant day to be encountered. The time will come when the perils of remaining where we are will be so manifestly greater than the perils of action, that action will become inevitable. There will be danger in both courses, for that saying of the Latin moralist is a profoundly true one, Nunquam periculum sine periculo vincitur;' but the lesser danger will have to be chosen."

.

These difficulties, as the work shows, have been fearlessly and judiciously undertaken and nobly overcome. The grand old translation given to the world by King James has been read during two hundred and fifty years, interweaving its individual verses and phraseology into the language and into the hearts of all Englishspeaking peoples. It binds us to the past and speaks to us with the same tender and sublime words it addressed to our forefathers. These sacred associations will not be disturbed by this Revision. The grand old book remains in its glory, while the blemishes which disfigured it are conscientiously removed.

This has been the result of centuries of investigation and toil. As the lava of Vesuvius covered for centuries the columns and temples of Pompeii, and years of labor have removed the rubbish and restored to the light the ancient city, so the accumulations of ages that hid or marred God's truth have been removed, and it stands before us, if not perfect, as it came from the hands of its inspired writers, so nearly so that we can rejoice that we hold in our hand the unadulterated word of God.

THE

NEW TESTAMENT

OF

OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR

JESUS CHRIST

TRANSLATED OUT OF THE GREEK:

BEING THE VERSION SET FORTH A.D. 1611 COMPARED WITH THE MOST ANCIENT AUTHORITIES AND

A.D. 1881.

This Edition is the Official Text, authorised by the AMERICAN COMMITTEE OF REVISION.

OFFICERS:

PHILIP SCHAFF, President.

GEORGE E. DAY, Secretary.

NEW YORK, May 20, 1881.

REVISED