FORM OF THE BIBLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 April 1934, Page 4

FORM OF THE BIBLE

- MODERNISATION SUGGESTED. [PEB PEESS ASSOCIATION.} 1 HASTINGS, April 12. 1 The possibilities of adopting a form of the Bible more in keeping with the ■ best modern book production, is receiving the attention of the General Syndd of the Anglican Church of New Zealand, now sitting in Napier. At this evening’s session, a motion was moved by Archdeacon G. H. Gavin, and seconded, but the debate was adjourned till later in the session. The motion read as follows: “That the General Synod of New Zealand considers that the time has come when it is advisable to cease the publication of the authorised version of the Bible in its present form, and to adopt a form more in keeping with the best modern book production; that it believes there is a large public ready to welcome such a change; and that it is convinced that it would greatly facilitate the public reading of the Bible, and would lead to the more intelligent study of it in private reading. “While not contemplating the alteration of a single word in this great English classic, the Synod would welcome expert consideration of the following changes: (1) That no type be used smaller than fourteen point size; (2) that that double column be abolished, and the typescript allowed to run right across the pages, as in an ordinary book; (3) that indentations, etc., foxchapters and verses be abolished, and chapter and verse numbers be relegated to the margin fox- reference purposes; (4) that poetry be printed as poetry; (5) that quotation marks be used; (6) that dialogue be printed as dialogue; (7) that dislocations of the text be set right where the misplacement of passages is deemed to have occurred; (8) that the Bible be rearranged in chronological sequence, so as to show the intelligent reader the development of religious thought; (9) that apocrypha be more generally included in the various editions; (10) that a more suitable colour be substituted for the present black cover; (11) that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to theii’ Graces the Archbishop of Canterbury, York, and Armagh, the syndics of the University presses at Oxford and Cambridge, and to Messrs Eyre and Spottiswoode, the King’s printers, with a request that consideration be given to this muchneeded reform.”