BRIGHTER BIBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 8

BRIGHTER BIBLE

MINISTERS SAY IT WOULD BE ADVANTAGE

COST TO BE CONSIDERED

Auckland ministers agree heam, with the case put forward by the Tf ? kato Diocesan Synod for making £ Bible a more attractive book easier to read through the intro*!/ tion of paragraphs instead of g.*/ ate verses, aud the abolition of twin column on each page. i covers, too, are considered advis*yJ All point oat, however, that this wo»u mean an increase in cost of the go*,, lar editions, and state that those wfc I are willing to pay a higher price j now secure editions containing all tl synod's suggestions. | "I believe that the Bible should k. produced in lae most attractive sty possible and I am in thorough m/ pathy with any move in th s directioZ but there are several points whi,T must be kept in mind,” said the Rer Dr. C. H. Laws, principal of the Trir ity College. “Any improvement woul I mean more cost and would no donk l interfere with the genenal use of th. , book. To abolish the | system, use larger and more attractk, I type and to bind in more attractive form would double or treble the eosT This would not prevent many tram buying the book and might even it duce a few new readers, but ererr Sunday school would have to iacre»« its budget and less well-to-do home, would be taxed. It would be leg, e as : for every member of a familv to own ' copy. “An increase in costs might be obv ated by printing only part of th. Bible, but there would be a grave danger in reserving the complete boot for students and the well-to-do whfl. j giving only part to children and | ordinary readers,” Dr. Laws contined "I should have no objection to selected books or groups of such books beinI produced in an attractive form, but tl* Bible possesses a unity and should an be dismembered. j “So far as an improved volume cai jbe produced without increasing ti» j cost to the ordinary purchaser ; without interrupting its unity, I ao heartily in favour of the suggestion, but it must not be forgotten that fer those who can afford it. the Bible css now be bought in beautiful and attractive forms. However, it is of tin circulation among the people as > whole that we must think," he cob j eluded. NO CHANGES TO TEXT “Personally I would not want a change as I never had any difficulty in reading or understanding the present editions, but for the sake of tboet who are hampered in this way, pros ably through not making a sufficiaffiy frequent study, I think the setting could be changed.” This was thy view expressed by the Yen. Archdeacon Mac Murray. He suggested that modern book and newspaper practice U frequent paragraphing and headlagt might well be followed as long as n» liberties were taken with the text This would certainly aid the avenge reader. The Archdeacon had never heard of anyone who really wanted to read the Bible who was discouraged by the ap- ! pearance of the cover, but he admitted that there might be some. He would . accept a more colourful design as kmt as it pas in keeping with the nature 1 of the book and was not in blaxiif I reds or, greens. There were many j editions with illustrations and nothin j further was necessary in this diree- ' tion. MANY STYLES PRINTED “The remarks seem to me to he ©a: of harmony with the facts.” commented ' the Rev. George Budd. moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly. “The B!We Is printed in an innumerable variety of styles and type. Although usually the cover is black, the New Testament and even the whole Bible are produced in binding of other colours. It it printed in type of all sixes, and the j Roman numerals of older times ban. in many modern editions, been diej carded in favour of ordinary figures' Mr. Budd pointed out that copies 1 can. be bought printed the full widti of the page and that there are vereior in paragraph form. Editions copiously and beautifully illustrated can he procured quite easily. Publishers appear to vie with one another in producing Bibles attractive to children Other editions can be had with quotttions and poetry specially arranged In fact, no other book published seem? to command the attention of the he® printers and publishers as does tie Bible. Besides the whole book and the Xw j Testament, selected portions in convenient shapes and sizes of type exa be secured for nominal sums. “In tbe face of these facts, the reported discussion at the Waikahf ! Diocesan Synod seems to lack point Mr. Budd concluded. “It may b* added that besides the authorised *»- ; revised versions, translations tn modern speech by competent scholars arc fairly numerous, exceedingly valnxlm aud very widely read." NOT NEW SUGGESTION “Nothing new.” is how the Rev. Dr IH. Ranston. professor at TrinStJ , College. characterised the gestion. Many editions are : being printed in which **“ ! paragraphing of the separate verse has been done away with : pages printed as one column. Sjmj; : are even illustrated by reproductl©*--of Harold Copping's modern ottK* paintings. Several are bound B : oured cloths and limp leather coloured or gilt edges and are r«a* beautiful works. Of course. editions are .pensive and it ’ s f lll ~, count that the type used in Sua» Schools and Churches are bound printed as they are.

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