Des Arc citizen., 1860-01-11
DIES ARC WEEKLY CgTgZ B N.

THE AMERicAs BIBLE UsroN-REvrsIos OF THE SCRIPTURES, &c. - Elder JAcoI
 CREATE, of Palmyra, Missouri, Agent for the
 American Bible Union, lectured at the Pres
 byterian meeting-hoase in Des Arc, on Satur. day and Sunday evenings. The audience wal small on Saturday night, but on Sunday nigh the attendance was quite large, and the interest exhibited spoke we'll for the intelligence and spirit of enquiry exhibited among our citizen>, Elder CREATE commenced his lecture by read ing from an old translation ef the scriptures which was almost aninteiiigible to the nearer and proved beyond the shadow of doubt that the present (known as King James, trans- lation) abodnded in errors which has given snfdelity an opportunity sc dispute the truth lcf Holy Writ. He asserted that the Bible Union originated from single motive, the love of the pare word of God, and that the call by which it was summoned into exis- tenee, invited and welcomed Gall persons to cooperate, who embrace the principles of faithful versions, fswithout regard to their denominational positions.o He showed that @good men and true" are now engaged in the work of revision. Many books of the Old and New Testament have already passed rhrough the hands of the committee, and the plan of the work, is ample evidence of the Acnesty and fairness of those engaged in it. Each page is divided into three columns-the first column contains the common version,- or King James, translation-the second column oriu favf h;rJ q scriptures revised. At the bottom of each page are notes and references. Thus giving a fair and comprehensive view of the language of the Scriptures to the common English scholar, or to the individual versed in the lan- guages.
 The principle as stated in tho Constitution of the Bible Union, as the sole object of the organization, is as follows:
 To procure and circulate the most faithful versions of the Sacred scriptures in all lan- guages throughout the world.
 The sole basis of constituency is the pay ment of money for the object; thirty dollars for Life Membership; and one hundred dollars for Life Dictatorship; and ten, for annual re- presentation. Persons of any denomination, or of no denomination, may become Life Mem bcrs, or Directors, or Representatives.
 The officers and managers are chosen by a majority of the Life Members and Life Direc- tors, and no other qualification is required but this choice. Persons of different denomna- tions are chosen according to the will of the majority.
 Agents are appointed without respect to their denominational connections, but solely with reference to their qualifications to advo- cate the claims and advance the interests of the Union. They are connected with different denominations.
 The Preliminary Revisers were selected as the very best scholars that could be procured, from nine different denominations.
 The Final Committee is chosen without any reference to denominations. It was necessary that they should all be the best scholars that could possibly be found, even if all had been PFesbyterians, or all Episcopalians, or all Baptists. Among the four already chosen, three denominations happen to be represented but this fact had nothing to do with the prin- ciple of the choice.
 The Rules and Instructions to Revisers, have no reference whatever to anything sec tartan or denominational. They simply re- quire the exact meaning of the inspired ori ginals of Sacred scripture, in the languages in which it is translated.
 'There is nothing, then, in the principles or proceeding of the American Bible Union that partakes of sectarianism. It appeals to all who love the pure word of God to cooper ate with heart and hand"
 With the liberal minded, and those who are not blind with prejudice, Elder CREATE finds no difficulty in being heard. But there are class who can hardly be persuaded to look at the truth, except through the preconceiyed notions of others, Even here in Des Arc, there were two instances in which he was not treated with proper spirit by those who pro- fess to teach "the way of life and truth" These men should remember, and we assert it with no ill feelings towards them, that their meeting houses, or church edifces, are erected upon ground given them by gentleman, as we learn, who entirely agrees with Elder CREATE in reference to revision of the Scriptures. "Men who fear discussion are generally in error" Hear all sides -then decide.