DIOCESAN NEWS.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 29, Issue 1, 1 March 1938, Page 1

DIOCESAN NEWS.

The Auckland Church Gazette says:-^-"Every diocesan magazine serves to chronicle the activities of parochial life. In some of the southern diocesan papers, the news of between twenty and thirty parishes is regularly featured, but here comparatively few parishes forward any account of their activities. At the commencement of what is virtually, a new year, so far as parochial life is concerned, a request is made for such news. It is desired to make the page headed "Parish Notes" truly representative of diocesan activity. After all, the most important work of the Church is done m the parishes; processions and meetings may be spectacular, but it is m the quiet round of parochial life that the chief advance ,m the Kingdom of God is made. While it is true that some events have no news value and as such do not need to be recorded m a diocesan paper, yet there is a place m that paper for every parish to record its important doings m permanent form. Former residents are kept m touch with their old parishes; the exchange of ideas m parochial methods is mutually helpful and the unity of the diocese is emphasised. The secretaries of all diocesan organisations are reminded that the "Church Gazette" welcomes reports of all important matters affecting their organisation. Because the paper has no reporting staff, it is incumbent on the organisations concerned to furnish the accounts. The suggestion is made that where no correspondent has been appointed, such an official be chosen so that interesting accounts of diocesan activities may be published. The sphere of usefulness of the "Church Gazette" would be consider-

ably increased m the coming year, if the above recommendations were adopted. One of the main objects of a diocesan paper is to provide a comprehensive record of parochial and diocesan life." So far the Auckland Gazette, and every word applies with even more force to Waiapu. 1538—1938. In England this year is being celebrated as the Quater centenary (what a word!) of the introduction of the English Bible into English Churches. It was m this year, 1538, that Henry VIII ordered "one book of the whole Bible of the larger volume m English" to be "set up m some convenient place" m each Church where parishioners might read it for themselves. Be it noted this was not for use m services. That came later, though already some clergy were beginning to use bits of English m Divine Service, quite unlawfully. But irregular practices are not unknown even m these happy days. Little, if any, notice has been taken of this commemoration m New Zealand. But though its importance may be exaggerated it is an important landmark. It comes as one definite point and a good point m that series of events we call the Reformation. That is a medley!. The Church was corrupt and something needed doing very much indeed, but really there is not much to be said for many leading figures on the reforming side. Bishop Creighton once said that the Tudors were not fit for any decent person to read about, and he knew. But to return to the main po ; nt. It is quite possible to exaggerate the general ignorance of the Bible before the Reformation. From stories, from pictures m nearly every Church, from miracle plays the narrative parts were well known. Comparatively few people could read, but Wiclifs version was still m circulation m manuscript, though frowned upon by the authorities. One wonders whether the Bible narrative is as well-known m this country to-day as it was m England m the year 1500. 'There were three things which made the opportunity. First, the widespread dissatisfaction with the usual teaching of the clergy. Note, I

say the usual teaching, not the best official teaching. Second, the invention and spread of printing, which brought books within the reach of far more people. Third, the revival of the study of Greek and Hebrew, which made possible new translations straight from the original languages. Earlier translations, such as Wiclif's had been made from the Latin Vulgate. I do not mean to disparage the Vulgate. It is an excellent piece of work. But a translation of a translation, or possibly a translation of a translation of a translation can never be quite satisfactory. The hour came, and the man came too. William Tyndale could read Greek and could write English, and he is the father of all the translations that have followed since. It would hardly be exaggerating to call him the father of modern English prose. His New Testament was published abroad m 1526 and sold m England for 3s 6d, which was a good deal more than that sum is now, but cheap for the times. He never completed the Old Testament. That was done, not so well, by Miles Coverdale and a complete English Bible was issued under the name of Matthews m 1537 just m time for the order of 1538. But almost immediately it was revised by authority and the revision under the name of the Great Bible was published m 1539. This is interesting to us because the Psalms we use m the Prayer Book are taken from that. For the next two generations three translations competed for favour m England. There was a further revision of the Great Bible called the Bishops' Bible. There was a translation made at Geneva by the exiles of Mary's reign m 1557, and there was a Romanist version made at Rheims. On the whole the Geneva seems to have been the favourite. It was not very satisfactory and this helped to bring about that wonderful piece of work — King James' version—commonly and quite incorrectly called the Authorised Version, which we still use. No one man can be given the credit for that. It was a joint affair. But as far as one man can have credit for pur English Bible it is the man who died long before King James was born— William Tyndale—who was burnt for his beliefs

m 1536, happily not m England, too soon to see his work generally accepted. Since the Authorised Version we have had m 1881 the semi-official Revised Version, never as welcome as it deserves, and Moffatt's translation known to many. But m my opinion the best we have is Weymouth's New Testament, a careful scholarly piece of work m good English. It may not be as musical as Tyndde's but it has the advantage of all that scholars have done since his day to ascertain the exact wording and the exact meaning of the Greek. The Christchurch Church News announces that 1538 is the date of the Authorised Version. "We are all of us weak at times," as the baker said, and no doubt this slip will be corrected this month.