lf for the duty of introducing the Revised Version of
the New Testament into the Public Services of his parish. It is one of
those rare and remarkable books that not only give the needed
explanation, but also cast a light on the whole spiritual results of the
change, and constantly awaken in the reader some portion of the
enthusiasm with which the Bishop records changes that many an earnest and
devout reader might think belonged only to the details of grammatical
accuracy. I thus cannot forbear quoting a few lines in which the Bishop,
after alluding to the change in Matt. xxviii. 19, _into_ (not _in_) _the
name of the Father and of the Holy Ghost_, and the change in Rom. vi. 23,
_eternal life in_ (not _through_) _Christ Jesus our Lord_, thus speaks
from his inmost soul: "Am I wrong in saying that he who has mastered the
meaning of those two prepositions now truly rendered--'_into_ the name,'
'_in_ Christ'--has found the central truth of Christianity? Certainly I
would gladly have given the ten years of my life spent on the Revision to
bring only these two phrases of the New Testament to the heart of
Englishmen." Is it too much to say that a volume written by a guide such
as this is simply indispensable for any one who prepares himself for
introducing to his people--the government of whose souls has been
committed to him--the Revised Version of the New Testament of our Lord
and Master Jesus Christ.
With the help that I have specified any one of you, my dear friends,
might adequately prepare himself for the duty and responsibility of
taking the next step, the preparation of his congregation for hearing the
Word of God in the form that most nearly approaches in our own language
what prophets, evangelists, and apostles have written for our learning
under the inspiration of God. This preparation may be carried on in many
forms, by pastoral visitations, through our Bible classes, through the
efforts of our mission preachers in the holy seasons, but obviously most
hopefully and persuasively by the living voice of the faithful pastor in
his public ministrations in the pulpit of his church. Parishes differ so
much in spiritual culture that probably no method of preparation could be
specified that would be equally applicable to all. Still in the case of
our country parishes I am persuaded our preparation must come from the
pulpit and in a manner carefully thought out and prearranged. Let me
give some indication of a mode
|