Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-03-18

ment, the friendly relations subsisting betwesz
the Baptists and the A. B. s., would perhaps to
this day have remained undisturbed.
Now, however many may be the peculiarities
of the Baptist Church-in however many respects
they may differ from other christian professions,
and however much in some things they may re;
semble them, there is one very prominent feature
indeibly stamped upon It, uneffaceable by any
change of circumstances-liable to no alteration
by any earthly contingency. This leading char
acterstc is indicated by its invsriable rule in ref
erence to the action and subjects of Baptism.
Different Churches of the same faith and
order," may differ widely from each other in
some points of doctrine, and in regard to meas
ures ST expediency, but in the thing mentioned,
there is universal concurrence so far at least as
we are informed. ...-..', >, -.
When then Mr.. Judson came to the work of
giving the Burmese a translation of the Holy
Scriptures, there arose in his mind question of
conscience-nay, question of Fealty to his
Maker. = -
Should he give to the people to whose present
and eternal welfare he had devoted his life, .
simple transcript IN their own language Of the
translation in use among Us, or should he, from
the original Greek translate the New Testament
so as to make it reflect the true word Of God !?
Upon question Of such moment involving OBJ
legations both to God and man, he could not long
hesitate, and he determined, let the consequent.
ces be what they might, to be faithful. The so
ciety might cut off all assistance from him-his
own brethren might disown the act, but relying
upon Him who is stronger than man, Judson re.
solved to translate the scriptures; not to trans-
fer the English translation.
We do not know to what extent his alterations
in many other cases would have affected his
standing with the society, but when he came to
translate the Greek word Baptizo, by word
which, according to Philology, classic usage and
the concurrent testimony Of scholars of every
age and every sect, Romish, Greek and Protes-
tant, means to put under water, the anticipated
result was realized. The society objected, refu.
sed its aid and countenance, and the Baptists
drew off and formed separate society, called
the American and Foreign Bible Society,""
thus sustaining their faithful missionary in his
discharge Of conscientious duty.
Now in reference to this matter We are not
disposed to charge either party with wrong do
ing, considering their acts as proceeding from
conscientious motives. If Judson believed that
Baptizo and its cognates, as applied to . chris
tian ordinance referred to the immersion of the
body in water, it was his duty so to render them.
If the society thought otherwise who shall charge
it with crime? "1.et every man be persuaded in
his own mind" said an Apostle and no one has
right to lord it over another's conscience. To
his own master, every one must stand or fall. ~
But, by this act of Judson and his friends,
there was ball started which was not to stop
with the accomplishment of the design which
set it in motion. Here was principle deyelopeds
which must operate until it had worked ont ita
legitimate results. Hence the question arose..
shall the Burmese be the only people to haves
faithful translation of Gods word? Shall we
deny ourselves that which we give to strangers? =?
Why should not our own people have in their
vernacular tongue, the word of the Living God7
Thus it was at Penticost when every man heard
in his own tongue the wonderful works of God"
The gift Of tongues in the beginning of the dis.
pensation is Divine assurance that God intends
all to know what His word says.
Thus reasoning, few individuals went to
work to get up an improved translation and is.
sued it with number Of words altered from the
present version. But the great work now in pro-
gress, of giving to the English reader faithful
translation of the Bible, took form and substance
BY the organization of the Bible Union Society
in New York in 1850, and of the Bible Revision
Association in Louisville, Ky, in 1851; and
these two institutions, separate in their formation
ted in the furtherance of the same good object.
In the prosecution of the work there have been
employed twenty-four scholars, the best that could
be obtained in Europe and America, and belong
ing to nine different denominations.
The rule governing the translators is as fol.
lows:
Every sentence shall be so translated as most
clearly to express to the common reader the
sense of the original, and no word shall be left
untranslated that is susceptible of literal trans
lation."- The whole question of translation to
be referred to learned men of various denomina-
tions under this rule"
But in reference to the entire process through
which the work of translating COOS before it is
completed, all the necessary information can be
procured by addressing James Edmunds, Cor.
responding Secretary, at Louisville, KY. Also,
by subscribing for the Bible Union Reporter, N.
York, and the Bible Revisian Reporter, Louis.
vile. Each of these will be sent at 81 year.
From information supplied us by the Secretaries,
our own Journal will also keep our own readers
posted in the premises.
AS regards the progress made in the enter.
prise, the book of Job has been finished, and is
pronounced an admirable translation. The whole
New Testament is so far completed as to be now
in process of publication for general criticism,
and will probably be. presented in its finished
state some time during the coming year: "a,
We defer to another number any discussion of
the lawfulnes, or expediency of this enterprise,
and will be happy to have from others an expires.
sion of opinion pro or con. "Prove all things,
hold fast that which is good" Z. L. W.