page, first the test in paragraphs

, scondly the numbering for chapters and versest thirdly a perpendienlar line, fourthly columovof references

Then, if the imale perpendienlar dash () be inserted often' enough to denote, with the punctuation, unmiss takably

, the division of the text into chapilies and vereer; the reader can reac ily find any chapter or verse.

THE PARAGRAPH Reference Bible, in great perfection

as the Monion can give it,'would, in my view, be the CHOICEST TREASURE in the language

Ito PARAGRAPHS, ju-cúld make it Whet adapted to set forth and impreß upon

the mind of the reader the meaning of the mapired writers;"and it Referen? CES would make the Bible its own best

as

English

commentary

the

Robinson's English Harmony of the Fispalle, differing in only one point in ader of time (ou trh at the med of the Reface) from this Sreek Harmony

, and Neanders Leife 4 Christin ita Historieal bonnection and its His mical Development, deur to

seem to be worthy of afecial regard in preparing a taragraph edition of the borrie la English Version of the Gospels

It appears from the following Preface, that Townshend's Harmony chief guide

was Mr. Nourses

[See pagu band 2.] * Perhaps a better system of numbering would be to number chapters with small raised antique figures, (1,hive.,) and verdes with smaller raised commew figures

, (1,2,32.,) at the beginning of the chapters' and verses Smalorised. Staliebt tus may be used to refer to pafinger of Scriptin and the common reference marks, to refer to ginal readingo, if any, These figured, letters, and marks, would be readily distinguished from the tent, and from fach other. These letters would

FROM REV. DR. ALEXANDER,
Professor of Polemic and Didactic Theology, Theological Seminary.

Princeton, N. J.
It is known to every one, in the least acquainted with biblical sub-
jects, that the division of the sacred scriptures into chapters and verses,
was not made by the inspired writers; but is the invention of men, and
in a considerable part modern. Now, although these divisions afford
great convenience in making references to particular passages of scrip-
ture; yet they often interrupt the sense and destroy the connexion, b9-
cause they are injudiciously placed. Every attentive reader of the Bible
must have observed, that in many instances where the connexion is close,
and the text should be continuous, a break occurs by the termination of
a chapter or a verse. To obviate this inconvenience, most critical editors
of the Greek Testament, as WETSTEIN, GRIESBACH, KNAPP, &c. have re-
jected the common division of our chapters and verses, and have divided
the text into paragraphs, in accordance with the sense: but, that the
facility of making references might not be destroyed, and our existing
concordances rendered useless, they have preserved the numbering of the
chapters and verses in the margin, in juxtaposition with the text to
which they are attached.

Now, it is desirable that the same arrangement should be made in our
English editions of the Bible--at least, in some of them; and Mr. James
Nourse has undertaken the work, and has bestowed much care and no
inconsiderable labor in preparing the whole Bible for publication, upon
the plan above mentioned.

I would, therefore, respectfully recommend his undertaking to the
patronage of the Christian public.
Princeton, N.J.

A. ALEXANDER.

FROM REV. DR. MILLER,
Professor of Eccles. Hist. and Church Government, in same Seminary.

Princeton, N. J.
MY DEAR SIR-Every thing which facilitates the intelligent reading of
the sacred scriptures, is, of course, valuable and worthy of encouragement.
It is therefore with pleasure that I am informed of your design to publish
a second edition of the New Testament, and, if sufficient patronage can
be obtained, the whole Bible, on the plan alluded to in the preceding
statement of my reverend and respected colleague. I entirely concur
with him in his views of the subject, and in his wishes for the success of
your undertaking.

I am, my dear sir, with much respect,

Yours, &c.
MR. NOURSE.

SAMUEL MILLER.

FROM REV. DR. LAURIE, AND OTHERS.

Washington City, D. C.
My Dear Sir-Your design of publishing the whole Bible in the same
manner in which you have already published the New Testament, mests
my cordial approbation. Besides corresponding in form with the best
editions of the original scriptures, it will have the decided advantage of
placing distinctly before the eye the several portions of the word of God,
in their various connexions and dependencies, and thus materially aid in
ascertaining their genuine sense. I trust the undertaking will meet with
the encouragement it merits.

I am, my dear sir, affectionately yours,
MR. JAMES NOURSE.

JAMES LAURIE.

be more

text than homai letters, because they

readily distinguished from the

would dither more from it.

Washington City, D. C. We cordially concur in the opinion expressed by Dr. Laurie, of the work proposed to be published by Mr. Nourse, and sincerely wish him entire success in his undertaking.

J. N. CAMPBELL,
I. L. SKINNER.

Washington City, D. C. The arrangement and publication of the Bible without verbal altera. tion, on the plan proposed by Mr. Nourse, meet with my cordial appro. bation.

R. POST.

Recommendation to the plan of the Testament, which is the same as that

of this Bible.

FROM REV. M. BROWN, D, D.
PRESIDENT OF JEFFERSON COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Canonsburg, Pa. DEAR SIR-I can imagine no objection to this plan, except what may be suggested by prejudice arising from association, which attaches sacred ness to the mere arrangement in which we have been accustomed to read the sacred volume. This, though a prejudice, is yet connected with feelings which cannot be condemned. Like every other change in matters of religion, it will meet with opposition; but ultimately the plan proposed must prevail, and an arrangement adapted to the sense be admitted into general use. Mr. JAMES NOURSE.

M. BROWN.

FROM REV. D. L. CARROLL, Now Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, L. I. I have examined the Edition of the New Testament, published by Mr. Nourse, according to the plan on which he now proposes to publish the whole Bible, and consider it as having a decided superiority over every other form in which our English translation of the Scriptures has appeared before the public. I sincerely hope that the present Ediiion will ineet with a ready and an extensive reception, as I doubt not but that the word of God, thus arranged in paragraphs according to the sense, will commend itself alike to the Christian and the Critic. Litchfield, Conn.

D. L. CARROLL.

Philadelphia, Decembe, 1823 DEAR SIR-Having examined your specimens of a Bible, the common text being arranged in paragraphs, without verbal alterat:n,-We hereby signify our approbation of the plan, and recommend it to our Christian friends and the public.

EZRA STILES ELY, D. D. Pastor of 3.1 Presb. Ch. Phila.
JOHN L. GRANT, Pastor of 13th Presb. Ch. Phila.
JOEL T. BENEDICT, General Agent of Penn. Tr. Socoy.
ROBERT BAIRD, General Agent of Am. S. $. Union.