The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-12
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
AN IMPROVED BIBLE.

listen to addresses upon the subject OF having version
of the Holy Scriptures which will not be liable 10 the OBJ
jectons that made against that now in use Rev Dr.
Wykoh the secretary of the American Bible Union first
took the stand and illustrated the necessity for the work
which that association has undertaken by the following
aneoote merchant who had been doing extensive
business met with serious reverses and found himself
unable to meet the demands Of his creditors Being re-
duced TO utter despair and feeling unwilling to face
those who had known him in more prosperous times he
shut himself up in his counting room and contemplated
suicide. While in this frame of mind knock was
heard at the door, and opening il gentleman entered
who told him that he had become of his situation
and was ready TO advance him any amount OF money
which he might need TO satisfy the demands against him.
aud would also allow him the OF his credit to enable
him to prosecute his business without interruption
This FRIEND who thus assisted him in the hour OF his ex
trenity, was foreigner who could speak the Eng
lish language very well and his assistance was
| received with grateful heart. A short time at
terwaris this generous friend was called home by
business TO his own land, and after some time the
merchant received letter from him, written in his
own language The merchant may we'll be supposed
lost no time in procuring accurate translation of this
| communication from his kind benefactor SO that he
might know his desires and intentions with regard 10
him. The speaker went say that we were all In
similar condition with this merchant We were ruined
mind for time and for eternity There was no being in
this world that could help us All our friends combined
could not relieve in difficulties We felt an over
whelming load of gilt resting upon us, and were going
down TO utter destruction when the Lord of Glory ap
peared knocked at the door of hearts, represented
himself as friend who would take all our troubles
upon himself, and enriched us far above all that this
world can afford He has given us letter explaining
His viii but this letter is written in foreign language
and should we not be anxious to have trans
laon Of it it is possible TO obtain The translation
which have is admitted TO be full of errors so as to
be almost valueess In reading it, we frequently mis-
understand the ideas intended to be communicated and
defective translation, said Dr. w. spells thousands
and thousands of in the Bible lie proceeded to
give examples 10 illustrate his assertion and mentioned
the of young who fingered for two years aud
died in despair in consequence of wrong translation of
particular He then noticed in detail some of
the classes of defects of which he complained In tho first
place great often from the absence of the
proper punctuation marks. The original Greek and He
brew editions not punctuated The speaker then
quoted several illustrations, and stated the corrections
Thousands of Others had been discovered by the mem
bers Of the union. Secondly he pointed out numerous
additions to the books of the Bible where words had been
inserted that in the books He spoke of the
obsolete words and took illustration the word con
versation " which he said in the original beha-
yior and not a coloquy between two more persons
There another class of words whose meanings had
been changed since the present translation made.
The word ''let !" which to 'sallow in the
Bible means to climber !; and the word prevent"
which now means to shinder, in the Bible means to
anticipate These but three four out of some
twenty thirty classes of defects and the number of
passages affected that there not an
individual who could read version without
misunderstanding large portion of it. Dr. W. adyerted
to the fact that although the English language had
changed to such extent to become almost uutegbe
in two three hundred years the Bible Union had sent
Dr. Hackett to Greece in order that by Observing the
meaning of terms in the living language he could ascr
tain their precise meaning eighteen hundred years ago
This had been deemed indispensable by learned men
Rev. Dr. Amitage the president of the Bible Union
also set forth the objects of the society and expressed
the opinion that most of the arguments OF skepcs were
founded upon wrong TRANSACTIONS He quoted several
passages where, by changing the translation little the
objections of the nfde would fall to the ground The
variety of religious opinions owing to different
dersandings Of the texts and by making them go
plain that there could be dispute greater harmony of
sentiment could be obtained For instance IT, instead Of
the word 'sbaptise, to the meaning of which there
are different opinions substitute the word ''mmerse
the whole subject is made plain The Bible Union was
organized by nineteen gentlemen and now numbers many
eminent scholars and cergymeh. Dr. A. stated that he
was his way Richmond and only spoke here by in
ytation He thanked the audience for their attention
and dismissed them.
WASHINGTON THEATRE. Mr. Wallacks performances
are spoken of in our theatrical circles being cmnenty
deserving of comnenation and 1t is to be regretted that
the audiences not larger, to witness such mastery
delneatons of the stormy passions of the heart We
inclined To think that comedy is popular in Wash
ngton than tragedy but the productions Of the Bard of
Avon will be admired long the English language
shall be spoken read and few delneate the char
of Hamlet Macbeth Richard, and others of that
role, with effectiveness than Mr.. Walack. To-
night will be his last appearance and tonight he
will take a benefit. Let 1t be bumper.
No THANKSGIVING IN ALExAsDRIa.-In tho board Of
common council at Alexandria on Monday night last
communication from the mayor, accompanied by
luton from the board Of aldermen fixing day Of thanks
giving and prayer laid the table by vote of 10
to O. If Governor Wise should think proper to appoint
ay Alexandria friends viii be included in It's pro.