New Testament - Improved Edition 1891?
The Improved Edition was produced in two formats. In one the Greek word baptize was translated as immerse while in the other it was transliterated as baptize. Otherwise the two editions are identical. All copies of this version are undated on the title page and do not contain a copyright notice. The date of 1891 is taken from the Introduction to the Fourth Edition New Testament found in the complete Bible printed in 1912.
This Improved Version was prepared by Alvah Hovey, John A. Broadus, and Henry G. Weston.
Dating the Improved Edition
The various editions of the Improved Edition are undated. According to Daniel Gurden Stevens writing in The First Hundred Years of The American Baptist Publication Society (undated but probably 1924 or 1925) the Improved Edition was release in 1891. On page 51 he says:
The Society took up with earnestness the work committed to its trust by the Saratoga Convention {May 22-23, 1883}. Not only did it continue to issue the translation of The American Bible Union, but committed the New Testament revision to representatives of Northern and Southern seminaries, and in 1891 brought out a translation of this portion of the Bible, which has often received high commendation for its felicity and its faithfulness to the original.
One way to get approximate dates for these editions is to look at the address for the American Baptist Publication Society given on the title page. Stevens given the following dates for each address:
1876 - 1896 - 1420 Chestnut Street
1896 - 1898 - 1632-4 Chestnut Street
1898 - 1906 - 1420 Chestnut Street
1906 - 1908 - 1630 Chestnut Street
1908 - (1924) - 1701-1703 Chestnut Street - The Roger Williams Building
Edition with Baptize
Title: The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. American Bible Union Version. Improved Edition. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1420 Chestnut Street. Edition with Baptize.
Date: 1891?
Publisher: American Baptist Publication Society: Philadelphia
Contents: New Testament
References: Chamberlin 562-5; Hills 2048, Taliaferro-EELBV 7715.110.
Images: Title page
Edition with Immerse
Title: The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. American Bible Union Version. Improved Edition. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1701-1703 Chestnut Street. Edition with Immerse.
Date: 1891?
Publisher: American Baptist Publication Society: Philadelphia
Contents: New Testament
References: Chamberlin 562-5; Hills 2048 Taliaferro-EELBV 7715.100.
Images: Title page
