New Translation
Alfred Farlow

Will you allow me a few lines to express my thoughts regarding Rotherham's translation of the New Testament? I find the book very useful, as the translation is generally clearer and more exact than the common version. For home study I value it highly, and would cheerfully recommend it; but experience has caused me to conclude that it is not best to quote this translation in Christian Science publications - nor do I see any necessity for so doing, since the spiritual signification of the common version is identical with that of the Rotherham.

Opposers of Christian Science take advantage of popular ignorance regarding this recent translation, and denominate our use of it "misquotation." In view of this fact, would it not be better to use exclusively for study, and refrain from published quotations in Christian Science literature until more fully introduced? I have a copy of the Series, published July 16, on the margin of which is written opposite each quotation: "Wrongly quoted." This was circulated for the purpose of showing how Christian Scientists misquote the Bible. If we, as Christian Scientists, make too strong a claim upon this translation before it is properly introduced, will it not be called a "Christian Science Bible"?
 
We are taught to "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." In view of the results I have seen, I could more freely circulate literature wherein quotations are made from a translation known to the public.


The Christian Science Journal - January 1891