Focl Sacrilege.

It would be easy to multiply instances, but those already given are surely enough to show the competency of the compiler to improve upon the Authorised Version. From what I have previously said it will be inferred that I am no believer in the literal and mechanical inspiration of either the original writers or the translators of the Scriptures, but I cannot help saying that, so far as the beauty of literary form goes, Tyndale and his successors who made for us our English Bible, seem to me to have had as great a measure of inspiration as is given to mortal man. The highest and most touching tribute ever paid to it, so far as I know, is that of Father Faber, who, after leaving the English Church, looked back, like

Some exile mindful how the past was glad,

from "the uncouthness of the Roman versions" upon the beauties of the one he had given up, and said of it:—"It lives on the ear like a music that can never be forgotten, like the sound of church bells which the convert scarcely knows how he can forego. Its felicities seem often to be almost things, rather than words." I call it nothing but foul sacrilege to mutilate a thing of beauty of which one who has learned to regard it as the stronghold of heresy is still forced to speak in terms of yearning regret and almost idolatrous admiration, and no respect for spiritual principalities and powers shall restrain me from denouncing all those reverend and right reverend gentlemen who are conspiring to foist this deformity upon us, as parties to the crime.