EXPURGATED QUAKER BIBLE.
(Vol. iv., pp. 87. 412.; Vol. v., p. 44.)
By favour of an intelligent and respected friend, I am enabled to send some kind of answer to the inquiries made on this subject in your Numbers.
The Society of Friends have never published nor authorised a mutilated edition of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible in common use with them is the authorised version of King James. The translation published in 1764, by Antony Purver, a member of the Society, contains several alterations from the received version, but it does not omit any part. Besides, this edition never came into general use. It was too expensive, and too bulky, being in two large folio volumes. It never was reprinted, and in fact is seldom found except in public libraries. It is quite true, that many of the Friends, as well as other Christians, have felt that there are parts of the sacred volume, which at this time are ill suited for being read aloud and discussed in a family circle: and some of them have devised expedients for a ready selection of the most edifying portions of Holy Writ for such occasions. One of their ministers, Mr. George Withy, published a small tract in 1846, which he named An Index to the Holy Scriptures, intended to facilitate the Audible Reading thereof in Families and in Schools. His tract enumerates those chapters of the Old and New Testaments, which he judged most suitable for that purpose.
In 1830, John Kendall (to whom one of your correspondents alludes) published in 2 vols. 12mo. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, by way of Abstract; containing what is more especially Instructive in the Historical Parts, &c. &c. He designed this for the special use of young persons, and expressly states that "it was not intended to supersede the reading of the Scriptures at large by those who are come to an age of discernment." He adheres mostly, but not entirely, to the words of the authorised version.
Twenty or thirty years later, the same feeling of the want of an edition of the Bible entirely fit for audible reading in the presence of a mixed family, induced Mr. William Alexander, a printer of York, to endeavour to supply the deficiency: and after fourteen years of earnest attention to the subject, he issued proposals for publishing a Bible so arranged. It was designed to be in three (perhaps four) volumes, imperial octavo size: but, for want of sufficient encouragement, only the first volume appeared, containing the Pentateuch. This consists of 792 pages; has foot-notes, side-notes, and marginal references; together with introductions to the several books, and dissertations upon sundry interesting subjects. It is evident, that the whole work, if completed in the same manner, would have been far too cumbrous for general use, and could not have been sold for less than fifty shillings or three pounds; so that we need not be surprised at its remaining unfinished, as it would have been little likely to find its way into many of those families for whose benefit it was kindly intended.
The author explains his views and manner of proceeding in his preface. I cannot enter into them at length here. Where a single word or expression in the authorised version appeared to him objectionable, he has removed or changed it. Where entire verses, or a whole chapter, seemed little fitted for family reading, he has placed such portions in the lower part of the page, and has printed them in Italics by way of distinction. He has also added a lineal arrangement of numerous passages which seemed peculiarly fitted to exhibit the characteristic features of Hebrew poetry.
Altogether, it appears that Mr. Alexander's object was most praiseworthy, his learning considerable, and his diligence very great; and it is to be hoped that the remaining portions of his work are not lost, but that they may yet be made available in some manner for the pious purpose which the author had in view.
H. COTTON.
Thurles, Ireland.