Lecture.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3656, 14 September 1880, Page 2

Lecture.

The announcement that the Rev. W.

Morley, President of the Wesieyah Con* ference, was to deliver a lecture on the history of the English Bible was sufficient to attract a-very large auditory to the Congregational Church last evening. , The Rev. W. J. Watkin occupied the . Chair, aud after singing and- prayer he briefly introduced Mr Morley to the assemblage. - " ~la commencing the lecturer disavowed . the intention of speaking concerning the authenticity of the Scriptures—that being a question for experts and theologians— . but informed his hearers that he intended to give an address on the Bible, so that all classes might understand it. After some farther introductory remarks - concerning the Bible he said that he need scarcely tell them that the Bible was not first written in English. Before the birth of Christ the Old Testament was translated into Greek and also into Hebrew, the latter translation having been made by 72 Jews. These prepared the way for the Gospels. Another translation — the Vulgate — shortly after appeared, which was followed - by two others after the begining of the Christian era. The early i nglish trans* lations were from the Latin. The Bible was introduced into England during the apostolical era—some asserting that Paul himself carried it there—and was re-intro-duced by Augustine in the time of Pope Gregory the Great, who after calling a Council of his advisers agreed to permit Augustine to preach the Scriptures. The boon was welcomed by the Britons with. avidity, and in the seventh or eighth century the Venerable Bede, a pious monk, translated the Bible into their language. Some of Bede's translations were pre» served in Trinity College, Cambridge. The lecturer having referred to the' other early Saxon translators, briefly led his hearers up to the time of Wycliffe, the. father of English translators, and who had been styled " The morning star of the Eeformatton." He saw the eorrnptions of the JRomish Church as testified by its translations, and exactly 500 years a^o issued a translation of his own. Had he njt been protected by John of Ghent, he would have suffered death at the h&nds of those who lived in dark new. His translation was remarkable for its homely style, and it helped to keep the faith of the Reformation alive. There were about 150 copies of his. Bible still extant. Wvcliffe was followed by Tyndall, who completed a translation of the New Testament at Worms in 1625. H*. ■ subsequently met his death at the stake. TyndalPs translation was acknowldged td be excellent, even by two eminent

Catholic scholars, Froude and Geddes, There was now a constant demand for copies of the Bible, and during the next S0 ; years no less than nine printing presses.^ere kept busy turning them out. Between 1515 and ]503 five editions of Coverdale's Biblft were published. It was approved of by the bishops, but did not suit the taste of the English people. The lecturer then reforred at length to Matthew's Bible, the-Cranmer Bible, the Genera Bible, the Douny Old Testament, the Geneva New Testament, arid lastly to our .present edition, Kins James' Bible. The lecturer gave a history of the mode adopted by King James' translators. The dedication and preface were written by Df Miles Smith. In conclusion the lecturer said many people wished to know why in the face of so many excellences it was necessary to make a -further translalation. He would name a few of the more important reasons :—(!.) The helps we now have in determining "the true reading. It was very necessary in a work like'the Bible that the readers should have the -very, ipsissima vtrha. before them. It was known that the present version contained errors made by the copyists, and the committees now sitting would correct them and publish a correct copy of the Bible. (2.) The advance of learning. (3.) The question of different readings. (4) Some of the renderings are infelicitous and inaccurate. (5). "ISe translators neglected the difference between the.Greek words, and give us words where original only. (6.) There are evident anarchorisms. (7) In proper names more uniformity is desirable. (8.) Divisions of chapters and verses interfere with the sense. (9.) It is an international and interdenominational work. England and America joined hnnds in performing a good work, and the result of their labours was being watched for by millions. The translators received no pecuniary benefit from they work. In England the. expenses of printing were being borne by the University Presses, and in America by voluntary contributions. It was estimated when the translators started work that they would be occupied ten years, which was nearly correct. It was probable that the New Testament would be completed this year and the old one a year or two afterwards If the revision of the New Testament was finished this year it would be a fitting quin centenary of Wycliffe. The lecturer then, quoted from the late Dr Eadie, to show how important it was that the Scriptures should be revised, and in concluding was greeted.with loud applause. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the Rev. Mr Morley for the rich intellectual treat provided, and to the committee of the Congregational Church for the use of the building. Prayer and the Doxology brought the proceedings to a close.