(Vol. iii., pp. 478., 526.; Vol. iv., p. 44.)
Perhaps the following Note may prove interesting, as a contribution to
the literary history of Bogatzky's popular work, and as explanatory of
the statement of R. D. H. (Vol. iii., p. 526.), that the book was almost
entirely re-written _by the Rev. H. Venn_.
_The Golden Treasury_ was introduced to English readers through the late
excellent John Thornton, Esq. This gentleman having met with a copy of
the German work, caused it to be translated into English. Of this
translation (in which many of Bogatzky's papers are exchanged for
extracts from English writers) a single copy was printed, interleaved,
and sent to the _Rev. John Berridge_, of Everton, for final revision.
This copy is now before me. The title runs thus: _A Golden Treasury for
the Children of God, whose Treasure is in Heaven; consisting of select
Texts of the Bible, with practical Observations in Prose and Verse, for
every Day in the Year. By C. H. v. Bogatzky: with some Alterations and
Improvements by various Hands. Also a Preface on the right Use of this
Book. Together with a few Forms of Prayer for private Use. "Where your
Treasure is, there will your Heart be also." Matt._ vi. 21. _London:
Printed in the Year_ MDCCLXXV. Then follows the Preface (pp. iii.-xvi.),
written by Mr. Thornton. The rest of the book extends to 374 pages of a
small oblong form. The whole is very copiously annotated by Mr.
Berridge, whose corrections are most important and judicious. He greatly
improved and simplified the language, his chief aim evidently being to
accommodate the book to the use of as large a number of readers as
possible. The humour of the man breaks out ever and anon in cutting
rebukes and sarcasms directed against unsound doctrine: neither
Calvinist nor Arminian, Pharisee nor Antinomian, escape his lash. A
considerable number of papers are either entirely re-written, or very
largely altered; _e.g._ Jan. 29 (by J. Thornton); Feb. 10, 19; April 8,
26; May 2, 3, 16, 20; June 19, 22; Sept. 9, 17, 18, 21, 25; Oct. 10;
Nov. 18; Dec. 1, &c. About forty-three papers are left untouched, and
twenty others have only some verses added by Mr. Berridge. Next, as to
the extracts from English authors: in the interleaved copy the sources
are indicated in Mr. Thornton's handwriting for the first six months;
beyond which there is no indication of the kind. I subjoin a list of the
authors from whom extracts have been made:--
_Aberdeen Bible_, Feb. 17, 22, April 1, 18, June 8; _Mr. Adams_, March
28; _Mr. Bentley_, Jan. 1, 12, April 21; _Mr. Brewer_, April 15;
_Darracot's Scripture Marks_, March 5, April 3; _Mr. De Coetlogon_, June
5; _Mr. Fletcher_, May 4, 5; _Mr. Forster_, Feb. 10, 20; _Dr. Guise_,
June 11; _Bishop Hall_, Feb. 12, 26, March 12, May 3, June 9; _Mr.
Howe_, March 1, April 6; _Mr. Keash (?)_, Feb. 1; _Mr. King_, Jan. 31,
Feb. 8; _Mr. Law_, June 4; _Mr. Mason_, March 29, 30; _Mr. Newton_,
April 17; _Dr. Owen_, Feb. 21, March 15, 21; _Mr. Romaine_, Jan. 29;
_Spencer's Storehouse_, Feb. 16, March 19, 31, April 20, 30, May 29,
June 14, 17; _Mrs. Thornton_, March 10; _Mrs. Wills_, April 19.
I will only add that most of the corrections of Mr. Berridge were
adopted by Mr. Thornton, and have consequently appeared in the London
editions in current use.