Apostles, and, what is of still more
vital importance, deeper insight into our relations to our saving Lord,
clearer knowledge of His blessed life and work here on earth, and
quickened perceptions of our present and our future, and, to a very real
extent, of the holy mysteries of the life of the world to come. When
changes of text and of renderings are shown, and they can be shown, to
bear with them these fuller revelations of God's Holy Word, there will be
no lack of desire, and of the manifestation of it, in any congregation,
for the public use of a Version through which such disclosures as I have
specified can be brought home to the truth-seeking believer.

My fixed opinion therefore is this, that though, after a long and careful
consideration of the subject, I do sincerely desire that the Revised
Version should be introduced into the churches of this diocese, I do also
sincerely desire that it should not be introduced without a due
preparation of the congregation for the change, and some manifestation of
their desire for the change. There will probably be a few churches in
our diocese in which the Revised Version is used already, and in regard
of them nothing more will be necessary than, from time to time, in
occasional addresses, to allude to any important changes that may have
appeared in the Lessons and recent readings of Holy Scripture, and thus
to keep alive the thoughtful study of that which will be more and more
felt to be, in the truest sense of the words, the Book of Life. But, in
the great majority of our churches--though in many cases there may have
been passing desires to read and to hear God's Word in its most truthful
form--no forward steps will have been taken. It is in reference then to
this great majority of cases that I have broken my long silence, and,
before my ministry closes, have resolved to bring before you the whole
history of the greatest spiritual movement that has taken place since the
Reformation; and also to indicate the untold blessings the Revision will
bear to those who avail themselves of it in all reverent earnestness and
devotion.

Thus far I hope I have made it plain that any forward steps that may be
taken can only hopefully be taken when, both in the case of pastor and
people, due preparation shall have been made for what, in the sequel,
will be found to be an enduring spiritual change in the relation of the
soul of the devout hearer or reader to the Book of Life. He will