OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24345, 25 August 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

REV. DR. J. MOFFATT “ The Press ’’ Special Service AUCKLAND. August 24. An eminent Scottish theologian, the Rev. Dr. James Moffatt. has died in the United States, according to private advice received in Auckland from New York. Dr. Moffatt was widely known for his translation of the Bible into modern English. Since 1927 he had been Washburn professor of church history at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, the largest theological college in the world. Dr. Moffatt was born in Glasgow in 1870, and was educated at Glasgow Academy and University and the Free Church College. Ordained in 1893, he was soon recognised as one of the most brilliant of Scottish theologians. In 1911. when minister of the leading United Free Church at Broughty Ferry. Dundee, he was appointed Yates professor of Greek and the New Testament at Mansfield College, Oxford. Two ■ years later. Dr. Moffatt published his translation of the New Testament. His aim was to render, the

original text into colloquial' English. The task filled his spare time for several years, during which he wrote the New Testament six times before he was satisfied with his work.

In 1913 he became professor of church history at the United Free Churph College. Glasgow. Working meanwhile at a translation of the Old Testament similar to that of the-New Testament, he published the first volume in 1924, and subsequently completed it. The Moffatt Bible had a mixed reception. On one side were those who strongly resented the departure from the traditional text. On the other were people who welcomed it as being more easily read and understood. All scholars gave the author credit for competence and indefatigable industry. Dr. Moffatt visited New Zealand in 1934 in the course of sabbatical leave from his post at the Union Theological College. New York. When in Auckland he preached to large congregations at St. David’s and St. Luke’s Presbyterian Churches. He also visited Rotorua to indulge in his sole recreation, fishing. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on Dr. Moffatt by both Oxford and St. Andrews Universities. He wrote a large number of books on religious subjects. MR J. B. WATERS (P.A.) DUNEDIN, August 24. The death has occurred of Mr John Biggac Waters, a former president of

the Associated Chambers’ of Commerce of New Zealand, and a prominent member of the business community of Dunedin.

A son of the Rev, John Waters, Mr Waters was born at Warepa in 1866. He was educated at Warepa and at the Otago Boys’ High School and Otago University. Entering the grain and seed business, he became a principal of the firm of Waters, Ritchie and Company, of Dunedin.

Mr Waters was a former president of the Otago School Committees’ Association. and from 1903 to 1915 was secretary of the Gatlin’s River Railway League. He was chairman of the Wheat Trade Advisory Committee from 1917 until 1919, and was president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce from 1918 to 1920. In the following year he was elected president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Mr Waters was chairman of the Dunedin Citizens’ League from 1921 to 1923, and president of the Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Federation of New Zealand from 1926 to 1927. In 1930, he was elected president of the Dunedin Grain and Seed Merchants’ Association. He was president of the Dunedin Rotary Club in 1927 and 1928. He was for a term chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, and had been a member of Royal Commissions on the affairs of the Napier and Timaru Harbour Boards-in 1927 and 1928 respectively. In 1889, Mr Waters married Miss Margaret Sim, and they had one son and two daughters.