The period of inception and completion of nearly all the improved translations of the Scriptures—the Revised and others —was simultaneous with the birth period of Christian Science. Infinite Wisdom brings out the purposes of Good by widely separated agencies whose connections are hidden from mortals. Each works unconscious of the others, and His action and purpose become manifest only in the measure that the limitations of sense disappear. The workings of Infinite Mind—as apart from and above the seemings of sense or personality—find striking illustration in the appearance of these new versions of the Scriptures. Without such partial opening of their spiritual meaning it would not be so apparent that the teachings of Christian Science not only harmonize with them, but are their sequel and complement.
Another point is still more striking and conclusive. Science and Health—"the Advocate," that speaks "no longer in proverbs" .. "but with plainness of speech concerning the Father," was spoken "into the world" by "the Spirit of Truth" Rotherham's version, Jno. viii. 26 and xvi. 13, 25 . before these fruits of modern scholarship were available. These have thus become beyond all cavil, its simple witnesses. God has thereby given testimony to men, and set His seal to the declaration put in the mouth of His Witness, that "no human tongue or pen has suggested the contents of Science and Health, nor can tongue or pen overthrow it,"
Science and Health, 40th Ed., p. 12.—for it is His Word.
Readers of the Journal and students of the Bible Lessons will have noticed, during the last six months, frequent references to "Rotherham's version" of the New Testament. This version is based on the most approved Greek texts, embodies the best results of modern criticism, and has received the endorsement of competent authorities. Its departures from the Authorized Version are in their direction in substantial agreement with the Revised Version, and with the approved translations of Young, Noyes, and Wilson. Careful comparison shows that the variations from these are—with qualifications hereafter referred to —mainly the result of discretion in the choice between renderings equally admissible, determined by the degree of spiritual insight of the respective translators.
