AN AMERICAN PREACHER ON THE REVISED TESTAMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 504, 29 November 1881, Page 2

AN AMERICAN PREACHER ON THE REVISED TESTAMENT.

Speaking of the revised edition of the New Testament the other day DrDe Witt Talraage denounced it as “a desecration, profanation, a mutilation, and religious outrage ! ‘ I pronounce the revision,’ said Dr Talmage, ‘ a literary botch, It will never be adopted in this country if the fearless criticism of the people speaks out its mind. I reject this revision because it is a mechanical failure; because the verses and headings have been abandoned. Here is a paragraph a column and a half long, in the middle of which are buried the blessed words “ Jesus wept,” instead of standing out in solitude with all their grandeur, pathos, tenderness, and omnipotent meaning. I reject the new version because of its amazing triviality. You remember Christ’s sermon where he speaks of putting new wine into old bottles. The new version substitutes the word “ skins,” as if they could not explain “ bottles ” as well as “ skins.” (Laughter.) “Show mo a penny,” said Christ. The revisers say, “ Show mo a 4 denarius.’ ” (Laughter.) The old translation was too much for the delicacy of our American part of the New Testament Company. Where it says “ for he was naked,” the American Committee chose that it should read, ‘“had on his under garment only.” (Laughter.) These discoveries of 10,000 mistakes and the 130,000 different readings have actually got hold on the music of the angels over Bethlehem. If those angels had known that they were within hearing of the New Testament company they would not have sung so loud. Instead of the translation which says—“On earth peace, goodwill toward men,” it is to read—“On"earth peace among men, in whom he is well pleased. ” The rhythm gone, the wide sweep of meaning gone, the Christmas carol choked till it is black in the face. Hands off the Word of God; remember the fate of Uzziah,’ Mr Talmage shouted attain. He said that if the revision should be received a Methodist revision would follow, and so on, ‘ until possibly,’he said, ‘ I shall issue a revision myself.’ ”