New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-17

tnet Known meaning and an almost conse-
Grated value. Indeed, its language has become
so woven into the minds and associations Of
those who speak English as their mother
,opoue that for them another English version
xopld be almost another Bible; and yet in view Of
the ncontes,ably great progress made in the know-
EDGE Of the Hebrew language since the seventeenth
century il NAV fairly be asked whether, in our ver
sion biblical science has uttered It's last word We
do not believe that it has. We need not push this
question any further, however, IN considerng a new
German translation, for the nierory OF Latneis
version TO ours on the score of accuracy, admit
ted even in Germsny. Bunsen asserts that IN Luz
theirs version there are 900 passages mpefstivey
requiring correction, while in the Reformed b.
bles. viz. those of England Holland and France,
there are about SCOT Still, great is the bold
which the translation known a. Luther's has upon
the mind Of Protestant Germany, so great the unity
which the pen Of that great Apostle of the Reforma-
ton has given TO his work, and so invaluable tho
or, alive services which he has rendered to the dom
of his country that il may well be questioned il the
present age will that version Implanted, with
reference 10 general use, by any other.
The author Of the "Bible-Work" under cousid.
GRAFTON would seem to be fully aware Of the true
state of the public mind in most countries upon tho
subject Of new TRANSACTIONS of the Bible. lie be-
lieves that the public is partly alarmed and partly
disguised BY the cry which in no few instances in
England and in the United States has proceeded
from unbelief on the part Of certain promoters Of
"a revision of the authorized English version Of
the Bible" lie adheres 10 his previously ex-
pressed belief that it is not less religion and lees
faith. but more religion aud more faith"
that are wanted and be seems TO incline t. the be-
lief that the energy of the Christian public in tho
United States will act upon this great question OF
revised version, and carry it through, and that t
i'll be the first to reap the fruits of the labors Of
other countries in this field as il has done in others
for the last 90 years. Though the object OF this
notice is chiefly to direct attention the Bible
Work" an allusion TO one or two renderings which
it presents of the original languages may not be un-
welcome.
The translator adopts the reading Of the inefabe
name of God now generally admitted by Hebrew
scholars. Several pages OF the first par. Of hs
work are devoted to justification of his translation
of that nsme-Jahyeh-by the term 1.-THE Eternal"
Starting from the pathological Specification OF the
word, and concentrating the same into translated
name he adds: "A Bible without a name for God,
given in its simple universal inelligbeness, and ac
cording to its neyer-changing meaning, can be no
a. Bible for Protestant Christians. Ii would noe
"only leave the most important word untransated,
but would separate the doctrine of the Incarna-
ton from it's biblical root" contendng that il
cannot be doubted that Christ understood that
expression in its deepest Specification when hs
proclaimed that the Eternal had become per-
sonifed in Him" wide John viii 50, and compare
with verses "a 2e). This part Of the work reating
TO the "transation of the biblical name Of God,
"snd especially of the Jehovah-name is entitled To
careful perusa; vide pages lxxxvii. to xcii,
Some of The views therein stated have some simi-
arty with those emitted recently by an able and
earnest writer in the United States.
The rendering of the first verse IN Genesis,
though varying from that Of our version, Is sup
| ported by the opinion Of many Of the soundest
| scholars both of England and Of Germany. Indeed,
so far as we can Judge Of the translation by the
chapters of Genesis contained in this half volume, it
would seem that the dictates of his pathological
\" conscience" have been held sacred by the trans
lator.
The chapters upon the exposition and inserprs-
"tation Of the Scriptures" also those upon tho
" Bibe.keys,n are well verify of the attention Of
| the theoloQian. We feel bound to say, however,
that bile these and the other parts of the first 400
pages abound in great truths admirably expressed,
/, we have met with several passages from which We
| feel called upon to withhold our assent
1t remains yet to be seen how this work will bs
received in Germany. The antagonism which is
known to exist between many Of the views Of tho
learned author ard those Of the leaders Of what is
known among the Professionals of Germany rs this
high Lutheran party will doubtless cause this book
To be severely perhaps too severely criticised by
many. The work, however, has 30 recently APP
peaI ed, the ability of which it gives evidence in
many parts is so great, and its general features are
so different from those of most works relating To
the Scriptures that the theOlogap and the layman
NAV each at first doubt whether it falls within tho
range Of bis peculiar sphere. This doubt, II it
should induce more general and thorough exsm-
nation of the merits Ofthe work. will probably be In
harmony with the views of the author for he courts
the strictest scrutiny Of his pages.
Whatever be the measure Of appreciation or OF dis
sent which the Bible-Work may call forth, no ono
no Protestant at least-wil be inclined to with
hold from its author the praise which should be
fro civ accorded TO al who seek by the devotion Of
their time and abilities 10 make their fell0w-men
familiar with the Book upon which their beat hopes
repose. We infer that the writer Of the Bble-WOrk
entertains the conviction that the differences be-
tween earnest and sngle-hesrted searchers for
Truth lie rather in the formula Of their faith than IN
the want Of recognition on their part oil the great
facts Of the Bible upon which that faith Is founded.
He maintains that in the historical connection OF
those facts lies an eternal meaning" percevabe by
all. He aims TO assist IN removing the veil which
still rests over the eyes Of some and prevents them
from discerning that meaning. lie states that his
Own researches have not caused his faith to wsver,
but on the contrary, have confirmed 1t. With this
statement Of the effect Of his Investigations upon
bis own mind, be presents his work ~ the pubic.
1.-THE volume under consideration and the succeed
ing ones shall promote the proper study OF tho
Scriptures. and strengthen the hearts OF Thousands
who regard Christ their Divine Master rs the
Aloha and Omega" Of their faith, they will earn
for their author the best and highest reward.
~ REFERENCE b. h,d bwever instances where only psfie
ulsr words I'd alteration order TO convey eIy tho
fha punk~ la