New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-11

. n,
60 e. sc,vsn,s a the Most High God, that We
,~,.nn,e 20 sgdrssa YOU at tls time Believing
lat the oueuincs Of Divine PROVIDENCE, an 10
claims Of our holy religion, not only JUSTIFY ~
r,a,d tie orssDization OF ne" voluntary assUSs-
40 e. H. ,ysDslation and circulation q the Holy
o:,,,es ,ge Rave undertaken 70 organize such
.f.,ocis ron urder the above title, In which we
sseu, desire and invite Your counsel and c0Ope-
Ys,icn. Allow MS briefly to lay before yon what
il uroposed as the peculiar province and i9nda-
metal principle Of this Union, from which both the
occasion and the Importance Of its formation VIII be
msnjf, St. and in which you may unite with rs, Ia
borpe together FOR TIE good Of souls and the glory
Of Coo
The object of the Association, in It's ultimate and
most comprehensive aims, Is, 10 procure ana c'r,
cplsie the most faithful versions OF the sacred
Scriptures in eli LANGUAGES throughout the world
Bu; II should be understood, that the immediate
occasion Of its formation arises from the existence
of achpow lodged rene diable defects In our com
non English version For there are other Socle1les
already formed 10 circulate the Scriptures In every
language ; and some Of these adopted the prlncl-
ME that aid for the translating printing, or dis
tributing Of them in foreign languages, should be
afforded TO such versions only rs are concerned, as
nearly as possible to the original text III then
we had no regard 10 the correction OF errors and
the removal Of obscurities, which, 1t IS admitted,
exist in our common English version, we should
see 10 sufficient reason to form another Bible AS
Whose ocknOpledged province andduty permit the m
TO attempt on their own part or TO procure from
others a re vision Of the commonly received Eng
sh version Of the Scriptures" 1t Is therefore with
special reference to the application OF this prlnci'
pie The Bible Fully and Faithfully Translated 10
the English Scriptures in common with all other
versions, that we feel called upon IN the proYi.
dence Of God, and we trust, under the guidance OF
the holy Spirit, to undertake with you this re-
sponsible, but glorious enterprise OF giving to all
nations the word Of life, translated as purely and
plainly as possible into their vernscular tongues
The incalcuable Importance OF faithful and cor
rect version Of the Scriptures in English is to be
inferred not merely from the many millions who
now use this language, but from the great and
mighty nations among whom it Is annually pro
crossing and from the powerful influence which
such version must necessarily exert over the
minds of those who may hereafter be engaged in
preparing or correcting translatlons 10 other
tongues.
We love the Bible. No language can express
the intensity Of affection for the precious vol
ume. But we consider Translation TO be The
BIBLE only so far as it is transcript Of the mind
OF God as conveyed in the inspired Hebrew and
Greek.
We love the English Bible. Aside from our re-
gard for the nnumerable interesting associations
with which it is surrounded, see in it. as trans
lation, much that calls forth our unieigned hdml-
ration But we do not and cannot love or admire
it would please God TO perpetuate or advocate
them To deny their existence would be TO i'm
pugn the testimony of the best scholars and the
wisest men, who have expressed themselves On
this subject, in Great Britain and America.
We believe that defects and faults can be re-
moved without impairing the excellencies OF the
version and we feel assured that just in degree
as they are removed without an unnecessary Inter
ference with the general style in that degree will
the book be improved and be the more worthy oil
The more nearly verson is brought TO the true
standard the more accurately will 1t express the
mind and will of God And this is the real tounda-
ton Of the sacredness of the Bible. ANY REGARD
FOR 1T, FOUNDED Uros THE DEFECTS OR FAULTS
OF TRANSLATION, is SUPERSTITION.
In the consideration Of this subject, some have
endeavored TO poise the whole question OF revision
upon the retention or displacement OF the word
"baptize." But this does great injustice to our
| views and aims. For although we insist upon the
| observance OF uniform principle in the ful and
faithful translation Of Gods word so as to express
| in plain English, withou. ambiguity or ysgueness,
| the exact meaning OF Baptize, rs well as OF all
other words relating TO the Christian ordinances
yet this is but one of numerous errors, which, IN
our estimation, demand correction And such are
our views and principles in the prosecution OF this
work. that, if there were no such word as bap.
tie" or Baptizo in the Scriptures the necessity OF
revising our English version would appear to US no
less real and imperative.
Our earnest desire is 10 do whatever lies in our
power TO secure uniform TRANSACTIONS OF the Word
Of God throughout the world or, as DR.. Carson has
expressed the idea, "univocai" translatlOns-that
is, transatons which in every language shall utter
the same voice-a voice clear, distinct unequyocal.
God is one. His Word is inmutabe. The trans
lation of that Word ought in every lard to have
the same me aiming. The only question should be,
"What has God said }" and when this is ascer-
tanned no pains should be spared to express the
idea in terms simple, ineligible and definite. This
principle everywhere faithfully observed, must
eventually produce uniformity of TRANSACTIONS
throughout the world, and these will lead TO uni
formity Of views and practice.
We expect to prosecute Bible operations in all
lsnds as God may open the door Of His Providence
before us, and grant us the requisite means and
we earnestly request in this great work your SYM
pathies, your prayers and your contributions.
DR.. Cone now made a personal explanation.
The subject he desired to present distinctly and at
this point, was this: that bis mind had for many
years been laboring upon the subject Of corrected
version Of the English Scriptures. In 1888, "a and
rs, said he, l was Corresponding Secretary Of the
American Bible Society. We there contrived the
magnificent project only Of supplying the United
States with the Bible in two years, but Of supply
ing the whole world in twenty years. The latter
wss Arthur Tsppan's project, and he promised Us
large amount of money to carry tout. After ma
ture elaboration, we doubted, and the resolution
which bad been drawn up never passed. But
correspondence on the subject was opened with
missionaries in the foreign field, and the granddea
Of a uni rocal Bible was finally elected. One God
and one Bible ought to speak everywhere, as far
as possible, with one voice. A missionary stationed
In India, named William Yates, being himself mas
Ter OF Tour languages, was led to make an expert
Hment and the happiest results were anticipated
ration took place between the Americas Bible So
ciety ana the Baptists. The communication with
Mr.; Yates was subsequently resumed by Dr. Cone
as President Of the American and Foreign Bible
Society. ard aid was obtained for Mr.. Y 70 prose
| cute his Investigations. He Published volume In
India, from the Mission press al Cacutts-snd fon,
| this rare work DIR Conc rad a nu,,l.- - e-.