portraying the Messiah in unmistakable lineaments, and now, without the slightest hint of a change of subject, {8a} varying the portrait, as by a dissolving process, so that it seems no longer HIMSELF that is set before us, but one of the erring children of men. Now, evidently, it would be most desirable, if a new version could obviate or relieve this difficulty. In sundry instances the sense is marred by an incongruousness in the metaphors, {8b} for which the Bible, perhaps, is the last book in the world to be made answerable; and this particular fault, in most instances, a slight change in the _pointing_, for which the context would give the fullest warrant, or a juster translation, would satisfactorily amend. But will not a new translation endanger those articles of our faith in which we have been brought up from our infancy, and which we believe to be essential to salvation? May not the translation fall into the hands of those who are ill-affected to the orthodox faith, and is there not ground to believe that hostility to that faith is the real object of many of those who are most conspicuous in the promotion of this scheme? This apprehension we believe to lie at the basis of much of the objection that is entertained to the proposed change: but has it not occurred to the alarmists, that the weapon cuts both ways, and that it is just as possible, as far as at present appears, for the other side to be discomfited in the shock? Who shall say that the Evangelical or Orthodox scheme shall not gain ground by the experiment, and the opposite scheme suffer? But these objections are manifestly unworthy a belief that professedly rests as its basis on the Word of God; rather is it a belief in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, not which the Holy Ghost teacheth. And with regard to the individuals that may be selected for the task, surely all anxiety on that ground is superfluous. The general sense of Scripture is not now to be determined: that has been done long ago; and all that remains for us is, in the use of such means as our advancing scholarship supplies, to make that sense—as Providence from time to time supplies the opportunity—yet more explicit, and available for proficiency in Divine knowledge. Thus far we have been occupied in clearing our ground, and essaying a hearing, with what chance of success we might, considering the outcry, more or less reasonable, with which the question before us is usually met. We take no further notice of the objections to our task, and proceed to explain more distinctly in what that task consists. But, first of all, we must premise, that we contemplate a “revised” rather than an entirely “new” version. Certain feelings have entwined themselves round the stock of the present version which it would not be safe or needful to sever, except where the imperious demands of fidelity to the sense necessitate the infliction.