SOME REFLECTIONS ON HOW EMPIRE CAME TO US. 



47 



The Rev. James Thomas thanked the Bishop for his most excel- 

 lent paper, and refreshed his recollection that the Authorized Version 

 of the English Bible was not the first complete translation of the 

 Scriptures in our language made from the original tongues. The 

 first was Coverdale's version in 1535 ; the next was Rogers' — under 

 the name of Matthews — issued in 1537. Both of these were com- 

 pletions of Tindale's translation, who was only able to complete the 

 New Testament, the Pentateuch, and the Book of Jonah when he 

 was put to death. These two versions were followed by Taverner's 

 translation in 1539. The Great Bible of the same year was only a 

 revision of Coverdale's and Rogers' versions. After these came the 

 Geneva version in 1539, made by British exiles, who fled when 

 Mary came to the throne. And finally the Bishop's Bible, made 

 under the command of Archbishop Parker and published in 1568. The 

 Authorized Version, as Bishop Ingham has stated, was issued in 1611 . 



Our Empire is faced by some great perils. I will refer to one in a 

 twofold form, the racial peril. In Canada — as also in the United 

 States — the Government is opposed to the immigration of the yellow 

 races. They say, and say with emphasis, We don't want you ; 

 if you come you must pay a large entrance fee." This has gone 

 on for a long time. But now the Japanese Government is saying 

 in reply, " Very well. If we may not enter your country on terms 

 of equality, by what right do you expect to enter Japan on terms 

 of equality with us ? " This is the muttering of a coming storm. 



Years ago we stole Africans from Africa and sold them as slaves 

 in the West Indies. Happily that great crime and sin is over. . But 

 what is happening to-day ? White men are stealing Africa from the 

 Africans, and all the while the black races are increasing in numbers 

 over the white races in Africa in the ratio of 17 to 1. That man is 

 blind who does not see in this the certainty of coming trouble. 

 What is to avert calamity, arising out of racial differences and 

 hatreds, from endangering the peace and prosperity of our Dominion 

 and Colonies ? Only the acceptance of the teaching of the Bible. 

 If God be the Father of all the families of men, then all men are 

 brothers. If the all-glorious God calls all races of men His children, 

 we may well call them brethren. It is in our common relation to 

 God that we find safety from the perils that threaten the Empire 

 from racial conflicts. 



