A BIBLE CELEBRATION IN 1911
Then Comes The Three-Hundreth Anniversary of King James’ Version
Prof. W. J. McGlothlin, Ph.D., D.D.In the year 1611 the so-called King James, or authorized Version of the English Bible was finished. It has been not only one of the noblest and most influential of English versions, but certainly one of the most important in all history in any language. English literature and English character have been profoundly influenced by it. With the English people it has gone into America, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere. It has been and will long continue to be an important factor in the civilization and religion of the English race. The "revised" and "American Standard" versions have not displaced it.
The three hundredth anniversary of an event of such tremendous significance to our race and country and to the world should surely have extensive and fitting recognition. Next year will be the three hundredth anniversary of that event. Shall we celebrate it, and if so, how? By all means let us celebrate it by making it the occasion to point its influence on our civilization and to emphasize afresh its central and essential place in our religion. The Catholics have their Eucharistic Congress to emphasize the central position of the in their system; Protestants should not lose this opportunity to hold up the Bible. Doubtless some publishing houses will seek to exploit the occasion in the interest of the authorized as against other versions. The celebration should not be suffered to degenerate into anything commercial, but be made the occasion for a due recognition of the real place which the English Bible has held and does now hold. In these days of criticism and doubt such a celebration would do untold good.
In my opinion at least one hour ought to devoted to this subject at the next of the Southern Baptist Convention. Every state convention held in 1911 would do well to give it place on the program. The Baptist World Alliance will surely give an hour to a subject which is of such vital concern to its interests. It is to be hoped that our religious weeklies and other periodicals will devote attention to the subject. In towns and cities all Protestants might unite in a great Sunday service in honor of the occasion. In short, let us make the year 1911 the occasion of emphasizing afresh the place and importance of the Bible and thus counteract some of the unwholesome tendencies of our times.
========== [From The Baptist World Magazine, November 10, 1910, p. 8; via Baylor U. digital documents. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Baptist History Homepage The three hundredth anniversary of an event of such tremendous significance to our race and country and to the world should surely have extensive and fitting recognition. Next year will be the three hundredth anniversary of that event. Shall we celebrate it, and if so, how? By all means let us celebrate it by making it the occasion to point its influence on our civilization and to emphasize afresh its central and essential place in our religion. The Catholics have their Eucharistic Congress to emphasize the central position of the in their system; Protestants should not lose this opportunity to hold up the Bible. Doubtless some publishing houses will seek to exploit the occasion in the interest of the authorized as against other versions. The celebration should not be suffered to degenerate into anything commercial, but be made the occasion for a due recognition of the real place which the English Bible has held and does now hold. In these days of criticism and doubt such a celebration would do untold good. In my opinion at least one hour ought to devoted to this subject at the next of the Southern Baptist Convention. Every state convention held in 1911 would do well to give it place on the program. The Baptist World Alliance will surely give an hour to a subject which is of such vital concern to its interests. It is to be hoped that our religious weeklies and other periodicals will devote attention to the subject. In towns and cities all Protestants might unite in a great Sunday service in honor of the occasion. In short, let us make the year 1911 the occasion of emphasizing afresh the place and importance of the Bible and thus counteract some of the unwholesome tendencies of our times. [From The Baptist World, November 10, 1910, p. 8; via Baylor digital documents.