4 PREFACE. writers appear to teach. he evidently intends to events. Each Evangelist is followed when assert a particular succession of The language is that of the Revised Version of 1881, with free use of its valuable marginal readings whenever they most perfectly express the ideas of the original; and the interweaving of parallel passages is done with a constant view to clearness of statement. Words added by the translators to help the understanding of certain passages, which are put in italics in modern Bibles (causing much confusion to many readers), are here printed in current type, but bracketed in the cases where critics differ as to the propriety of their use. The words of the Great Teacher are set in antique type, so that they may be quickly recognized and suitably emphasized. The text, instead of being separated into chapters (adopted in 1248) and verses (invented in 1551), is divided into numbered sections, like the venerable Vatican manuscript; and these have topical titles, such as are found in other famous manuscripts. No dates are inserted; because none were used by the Evangelists, and because the most critical scholars of the Christian centuries have differed widely as to the days, months, and even the years of Jesus' life. But what cares he who walks in the sunlight if he cannot learn precisely when the Orb of day arose? May this arrangement of the "Wonderful Words of Life" be of service to many an earnest seeker after truth! Easter Monday, 1895. CHARLES HENRY POPE. |