Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-16
VOL. x. NO. "a.

worse than merely vain to hear his laws,
unless we obey them. OF him, therefore,
who is assured of the prohibition, il is in
dispensaby required thathe should refuse
an oath. There is no other means OF
maintaining our allegiance TO God Our
pretentions to Christianity are at stake;
for he who, knowing the Christian law,
will not conform to it, is certainly not
Christian. How then does it happen, that
although persons frequently acknowledge
they think others are forbidden, so few,
when they are called upon 10 swear, de-
cline to do it? Alas! this offers enc evil
dence amongst the many, of the want of
uncompromising moral principles in the
world,-of such principles as it has been
the endeavor of these pages to enforce,-of
such principles as would prompt US and
enable us to sacrifice every thing 10 Chris
tan fidelity. By what means do the per-
sous of whom we speak suppose that the
will of Goo respecting oaths is TO be effect
ed2 To whose practice do they look for an
exenplifcation of the Christian standard
Do they await some miracle BY which the =
whole world shall be converted, and oalhs
shalt be abolished without the agency of
man! Such are not the means by which
it is the pleasure of the Universal Lord to
act. He effects his moral purposes by the
instrumentality of faithful men. Where
are these faithful men? But let it be: If
those who are called to this fidelity refuse,
theirs will be the dishonor and the offence.
But the work will eventually be DONE
Other and better men will assuredly arise
to acquire the Christian honor and to re-
celve the Christian reward. -
KING james, BIBLE.
In another column will be found an ar
ticle touching the authority of the pres
ent version of the Scriptures, as an infal-
lble and ultimate standard Of appeal in
questions of revelation.-We are pleased
to see this subject agi!ated and particulars.
Iy are we pleased to see it done just at
this time by our S. G.. brethren. We. are
pleased with this because we regard the
question involved of vital importance in
itself, and because we believe that such
agitation can scarcely fail to lead to de-
veIopement of truth, and to more gener-
ally correct apprehensions on the subject.
We consider it of no sort of importance
10 contend about the restrictions imposed
upon King James translators. We es-
TEEN it equally irrelevant and unavailing
to spend time in extoHing the excellen-
cies, or in exposing the defects of their
translation. We have that translation be-
fore US. 1t is in the hands of every one.
And it is we'll known and fully admitted
by near y all who pretend to any knowI
edge on the subject, that this, like all 9TH
er human productions has its defects
numerous and in some instances, serious
defects. This point being conceded, it
must be obvious to every person who ad-
mits the Importance of having perfect
transcript of the divine will in our own
tongue, that a more perfect, or at least, "a
less imperfect version must be desiderat-
um. That such desideratum ought 10 be
desired and sought by all the friends of
truth, and by all the respectors of Gods
will, is position which, so far as we can
see, can admit of question with none.
Why, therefore any should be opposed to
a new and improved version, whenever
such can be conveniently obtained, eonsti-
tutes problem which we have never vet
been able TO solve-if we be allowed to
except those W no are Influenced by selfish
and party considerations.
The attempt has sometimes been made
to identify the present version with the
veritable word of inspiration to raise the
cry OF sacrIIeglous impertinence against
all who favor a new version aud thus to
awake the fears and prejudices Of the ig-
norant and superstltIous, we regard as
mode of procedure entirely unworthy Of
"a candid and enlightened advocate Of
truth.
The fact that any respectable body of
Christians, in this day of enlightened
freedom, should talk of the present. or
indeed of any other version-any mere
work of man-as the standard to which
all Christians should implicitly bow. we
must regard as one OF the anomalous pro-
ductions Of this anomalous age 1t can
be accounted for, so far as we can see, on
ly by referring it to desperate effort to
arrest the progress of that free irouiry
which is abroad in the earth, which re-
ceived its birth at the time of the Retor-
nation, and which promises the eventual
demolition of all parties, policies, and in
terests which are not founded Oh the rock
of unGisguised aud incorruptible truth.
AS it regards ourselves we have had
but one opinion on this subject since the
question first began to be agitated We
believe that a new version OF the Scrip
lures is called for, and we believe that the
time is not very distant when it will be
had. We have no idea of seeing this
matter pressed. much less of pressing it
ourselves. Nor have we anv fear of see