Scripture Paraphrases

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1916, Page 2

Scripture Paraphrases

Many years ago, when there were'no /Scriptural Parapiirases used ill t,he Established. Church of Scotland, the General Assembly gave orders to all ministers who thought themselves possessed of u poetic turn 10 make paraphrases from such parts of Scriptures as they thought lit, and send them to the Assembly, who were to decide whether or not uiuy were •proper to be used in churches. Among many others who tried their h aid at saere.l poetry was an old and very old-fashion-ed minister who resided mithiir forty miles of Crieit. Believing lie had a call lor the good work, he set earnestly about it>, and, alter much z.alous labour and many alterations, at last completed what he considered to be a very excellent paraphrase; and so proud was he ol his handiwork that the Sabbatu before it was sent away, immediately after devine service, lie proceeded to read the vffusion to his flock. Bui they, not being attuict.d by the beauty of his composition, found it very difiicult during the leading ol his long paraphrase to suppress their mirth. When, however, he came to the last verse, which ran . de'il shall rive them b' in rags, That wicked are and vain; : But if they're guid and do repent, They sTiall be sewed again"— there was no withstanding such a iiiiale, and the congregation, with an uproarious 'hurst ol laughter, made their way out of church as fast as they possibly could.