THE BIBLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21952, 8 November 1934, Page 14

THE BIBLE

Sir, —The subject of the Bible, and how it should be printed, has been before the public for some time. Two points, to my mind most important, have Hot been mentioned. Had they been considered, no doubt men of 110 academic standing would have hesitated to demand, practically, from men of academic standing and business experience, a revolutionary change in the conduct of their business. (I) The Bible publishing houses of tho Oxford and Cambridge University Presses, tho B. and F. Biblo House, and Bagsters, should know more about the format and binding of tho Biblo than we, who, in this Dominion, have neither authority nor tradition to support unwarrantable interference. Surely the publishers, with years, and in the case of the universities, centuries of experience, know more about their work than we. The great publishing houses hold Royal Charters, thus ensuring reliable workmanship. (2) Attempts have been made to publish copies or the Bible in form similar to other books. Instances have been named in this correspondence. It is evident that the demand and sales of such editions have not encouraged publishers to repeat the experiment. I venture to say that the sale of Bibles in the traditional format is much greater than the sales of modernised editions. When men buy a Bible or Book of Common Prayer, they prefer the Book to look what it is, a Book of Books, and not a camouflage.

Back-block Parson.