(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.