Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-10

Gous word frcc from any Scctariall DlaS. lhey
have drawn up a constitution and laid down rule
in reference to transatng that the translator shall
be faithful to the original; and under this rule
they employ any scholar, of any sect in Christen-
dom, and the only question asked is, is he honest
is lie competent? If there be sectaranism in this,
then may We despair of being able to get rid OF it.
Now it would be unfair to deny that in one par
ticular the 1mmersionsts have an advantage in the
revision enterprise; which is, that in the transla-
tion of Baptizo and its cognates, the voice Of
Christcndom has spoken. Methodists, Lutherans,
Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Romanists, nay, in
des, also, all bear concurrent testimony. So that
they risk nothing, and in the nature of the case
risk nothing on the translation Of this word but in
other respects we are not apprised Of any advan-
tage they have which is not shared by others in
the Union 1t only remains to notice briefly one
or two objections to tile Revision and we close.
lst. 1t is objected that the present version is
amply sufficient so far as respects the means of
salvation. Let it be granted, and what then? 1t
is not simple salvation only, that the christian is
to strive after; but TO know and do Gods will as
far as possible Perhaps the worst translation ever
put forth might afford the means of salvation.
Any small portion of the Holy Scriptures might
serve as lamp to light the soul to Heaven but no
one would assign this as reason why we should
not have the whole Bible, and by parity Of reason
we should have the best possible translation.
End. The sacred style it is said will be lost.
There arc many who do not know that the
style" of our version is simply the style OF the
age in which it was made, and pertained to all
writings civil and religious, sacred and profane.
We apprehend the law books will afford many in
stances of this kind Of style. A common sense
farmer might go into any of the law offices in
Edgefeld and find books written in style that
would be about as Ineligible to him as French.
Try it some day when you are "in town."
Now we confess to the force of this objection in
the mind of one who is sentimentaly inclined, for
We labor under the weakness, as many would
term it, to considerable extent ourself There are
few who are more sensitive to the power OF asso-
citation but we should not mistake poetry for re-
lgon, and the word Of God should not be obscurcd
for the sake of sentiment.
Ord. 1t will have tendency 10 unsettle mems
minds" Perhaps it may and if it should so un-
settle them as to drive them to the study OF the
scriptures, a good work will have been accom-
pshed But We look upon translations as so many
commentaries on the Bible and calculated to throw
light upon it, and if We could, We should have
every translation 70 be found. This objection We
may observe has been urged against every transla-
tion that has been made but the execution OF the
work has always falsaed the prediction. We
might 60 on to state and refute other objections,
but deem it useless to do so What we have writ
ten has not been prompted by sectarian feeling.
We claim to be as free from denominational preu-
dices as most men, and appeal to our antccedents,
ministerial and editorial in proof Of the fact
Let the Revision go on them help it on if you
can with q clear conscience; if not, keep cool,
you need not use unless you wish; tho Revision
lists have neither the will the power to force it
on the people, and like all others it must stand or
fall according to its merits. E. L. W.