Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-02-15

readily correct each others quotations,
not only from the original Scriptures,
but even from the Greek Fathers. Our
common version was not the first that
was made into the English language;
but the trsnslators had before them six
previous translations; their object being
to produce a standard version, which
should have every ground of confidence,
and be as free from error and cavil as
possible. We happen to have full
history of this translation under King
James, and give here some extracts
from the order of the King and his
council in regard to it, from which it
win be seen that with the advantage of
a familiarity with the Greek and He
brew languages, entirely unknown at
the present time, an effort was made,
and care taken to obtain pure and per-
feet translation of the Holy Scriptures
into the English language, not likely to
be surpassed. equalled or repeated
The forty-seven were divided into six
different classes, and held their settings
at Oxford, Cambridge and Westminster.
This arrangement being made,-
"The King added, that he required
his Grace to move all the Bishops to
inform themselves of all such learned
men in the several dioceses as, having
especial skill in the Hebrew and Greek
tongues, had taken pains in their private
studies of the scriptures for the clear
ing of any obscurities either in the He
brew or in the Greek, or touching any
difficulties or mistakes in the former
English translation, which was now to
be thoroughly viewed and amended,
and thereupon to write unto them, earn
estly charging them and signifying the
Kings pleasure therein, that they send |
such their observations either to Mr..
Lively, the Kings reader of Hebrew at
Cambridge; DR.. Harding, the Kings
reader of Hebrew at Oxford; or DIR.
Andrews, Dean of Westminster, to be
impaired to the rest of their several
companies, that so this intended trans
lation might have the help and further
ance of all the principal learned men
in the kingdom.
The following are among the more
rarticuIar directione
sc. No marginal notes at all to be
affixed. but only for the explanation of
the Hebrew or Greek words, which
cannot, without some circumlocution,
SO briefly and ftly be expressed in the
text.
Z. Such quotations of places to be
set down., as shall serve for
the fit references of one Scripture to
another.
8. Every particular man of each
company to take the same chapter or
chapters; and, having translated or :
them severally by himself i
where he thinks. good, all to meet TO- !
gether, to conferre what they have done, !,
and agree for their part what shall !
stand. c
9. AS any one. company hath dis c
patched any one book in this manner, :
hey shall send it to the rest, to be con-
;idered Of Seriously and judiciously;-
or his Majesty is very careful in this d.
point.
10. If any company, upon the re-
new of the book so sent, shall doubt
,r differ upon any places. to send them
word thereof, to note the places, and (
to send their reasons; to !
which if they consentnot, the difference
10 be compounded at the general meet
ing, which is to be of the chief persons
Of each company, at the end of the q
work. I
II. When any place of special OBJ
'curity is doubted Of letters to be d.
rected by authority to send to any learn
I'd in the land for his judgement in such i
a place." I
The following is the article referred ]
% from the New York Recorder: q
My BAPTIST YERsIoN.-The N. Y. c
just united with the Baptist I
Register, and one of the very best of a
,ur exchange papers, able, courteous 4
and spirited, is no admirer of the new e
version of the Bible, which a portion of L
he Baptist Church is disposed to bring a
before the public. We agree with its
emarks upon the following specimen. r
COMMON VERs1oS.-And 1 heard j.
,oicc in the midst of the four beasts Il
ay: A measure of wheat for penny, >
md three measures of barley for pen :
~.
REVISED Y FERs1oN.-And l heard s.
'oice in the midst of the four living G
restures, saying: A chenix of wheat
or denarius, and three chenixes of
,arley for denarius.
"The simple question is, Which is I
'est for the unlearned English reader? 8
Vow it seems to us, says the Recorder, :
'est to disturb as slightly as fidelity to y :,
be original win permit, the impression ti
# Scripture language which is already "
n the unlearned readers mind. We A
tart from this as a postulate. He is Ia
accustomed to the terms measure" and
penny" but "chenix" and sdenarius'