‘1. That it is desirable that a revision of the AV of the Holy
Scriptures be undertaken.
2, That the revision be so conducted as to comprise both marginal renderings and such emendations as it may be found necessary to insert in the text of the AV.
3. That in the above Resolutions we do not contemplate any new translation of the Bible, or any alteration of the language, except when in the judgment of the most competent scholars such change is necessary.
4. That in such necessary changes the style of the language employed in the existing version be closely followed.
* Notes on the proposed Amendment of the Authorized Version . .., by William Selwyn, Canon of Ely, 1856, p. 11.
+ Newth, as before, p. 103; Ellicott, Considerations on Revision, 1870, p. 5. }
t Westcott, Hng. Bible, p. 338, quoting Chronicles of Con- vocation. The words ‘ Hebrew or’ will be noticed as indicating a motion originally wider in its scope. Three members of the NT Revision Company (Drs. Westcott, Newth, and Moulton) have left accounts of these proceedings.
260 VERSIONS (ENGLISH)
5. That it is desirable that Convocation should nominate a body of its own members to undertake the work of revision, who shall be at liberty to invite the co-opera- tion of any eminent for scholarship, to whatever nation or religious body they may belong.’
This Report was unanimously adopted by the Upper House, and eight bishops were at once nominated, in accordance with the terms of the last Resolution, to be its quota towards the new joint Committee. On May 5th the report was discussed in the Lower House. Some opposition was there shown to the principle embodied in the last clause of the fifth Resolution; but, on a division, the adoption of the Report was carried, with but two dissentients. On May 6th eight of their own body were chosen, to co-operate with the others in forming the new Committee. This new, or second, joint Committee held its first meeting on May 25th, 1870. It then passed a series of Resolutions, indicating the lines on which the work should be carried out. In substance these were as follows, the more important ones being quoted in full :—
I. Committee to separate into two Companies—one for OT,
the other for NT.
II. Names of the members of Convocation, nine in all, forming the OT Company.
III. Names as before, seven in all, for the NT Company.
IV. OT Company to begin with Pentateuch.
Vv. NT a) 26 SS Synoptical Gospels.
VI. Names of ‘Scholars and Divines’ (18) to be invited to join
the OT Company.
VII. Names of ‘Scholars and Divines’ (19) to be invited to join the NT Company.*
VIII. That the general principles to be followed by both Companies be as follows :—
‘1. To introduce as few alterations as possible into the text of the Authorized Version, consistently with faithfulness.
2. To limit, as far as possible, the. expressions of such alterations to the language of the Authorized and earlier English versions.
3. Each Company to go twice over the portion to be revised, once provisionally, the second time finally, and on principles of voting as hereinafter is provided.
4, That the Text to be adopted be that for which the evidence is decidedly preponderating ; and that when the Text so adopted differs from that from which the Authorized Version was made, the altera- tion be indicated in the margin.
5. To make or retain no change in the Text on the second final revision by each Company, except two-thirds ot those present approve of the same, but on the first revision to decide by simple majorities.
. Cases in which voting may be deferred.
. Headings of chapters, etc., to be revised.
. Permission to consult learned men, ‘ whether at home or abroad.’
IX. The work of each Company, on completion, to be com- municated to the other, to secure, as far as possible, uniformity in language.
X. 1. 2. 3. ‘Bye-rules’ as to the mode of making corrections.
The invitation given in accordance with Resolu- tions VI. and VII. was declined by Canon F. C. Cook, Dr. J. H. Newman, Dr. Pusey, and Dr. W. Wright of the British Museum. The last- mentioned, however, subsequently joined the OT Company. Of those who accepted it, Dr. 8. P. Tregelles was prevented by ill-health from joining in the work, while Professor M‘Gill was removed by. death in 1871. Dean Alford, one of the original members appointed by Convocation, died in the same year. ‘T'wo other members of like standing, Dr. Chr. Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln, and Dr. Jebb, Dean of Hereford, resigned their seats at an early stage of the proceedings. Seven new members were chosen in their stead, of whom one, Dean Merivale, resigned in 1871. Others were added subsequently. The lists of members were accordingly as follows :—
ora
MEMBERS OF THE OT Revision Company.t
™he Rt. Rev. Connop Thirlwall, Bishop of St. Davids (Chair- man till 1871).
* The names in Resolutions II., II., VI., VII. are included in ‘the final lists given below.
+ This and the following list are drawn up, in the main, from those prepared by Dr. Philip Schaff for his Companion to the
VERSIONS (ENGLISH)
The Rt. Rev. E. H. Browne, Bishop of Ely, afterwards of Winchester (Chairman from 1871).