The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-11
UNITARIAN CONVENTION.

OPENING EXERCISES LAST NIaHT-REv DIR.
FREEMANs DISCOURSE ON THE TRANSLATION
OF THE BIBLE INTO MODERN EQUIVALENTS.
The Unitarian Convention opened last night in
the Church Of the Messiah, corner of Park ave-
nue and Thirty fourth street. Rev. DR.. L. Z.
Hall pronouncing the opening prayer. Rev.
DR.. James Freeman, Of Boston, delivered
an eloquent discourse the Translation Of the
Bible Into Modern Equivalents. taking his text from
II. Samuel. ill.,, 10. He said the Jewish kingdom
fact of politicsthe translation Of Israel from the
dynasty of Saul to that Of David. Enoch was
translated from this to higher world, he
said. and the Bible was translated by be-
ing taken out OF Hebrew and Greek into
English in the time Of King James. Since that time
great deal has been learned about the Scriptures
translation of the Scriptures is now being pre-
pared by eminent scholars Of all denominations in
England and America. and If honestly done it will
doubtless be universally received The only text in
the New Testament which seems positively to teach
the Trinity will have to be left out because the best
scholars have long since agreed that it has right
to be there. The passage where Saviour is made
to say, These shall go away into everlasting punish
ment, and the righteous into life eternal ought to
read Thcse shall 60 away into the suffering OF eter
nifty" meaning the sutferings and joys of the
eternal world distinguished from those of
the temporal world. The Greek word, which is now
translated according the within of the translators
seventy times .danan2tion' fourteen times ..judg-
ment' and six times condemnation. will be rem
dered in uniform way The word shell" in
our English Bible, is the rendering of two
wholly different Greeks words. one of which
The only place where the Apostle Paul either
word in any of his epistes our translator made it not
sting! Grave where is thy victory!" If the word
..hel" were entirely omitted and another more cor
rect phrase substituted it ought to be great loss,
since neither the Apostles Peter Paul, or John
this word in gospel epistle. "A new transla-
ton out of Greek into English will be an
advantage but more important translation ia that
which takes the Bible out of the words of speech in
Judea in the first century into the American words of
speech in the nineteenth century. 1t is surprising
how talk in Jewish phraseology of Sabbaths,
Justification atonement sacrifices, remission of sin,
publication and the like; and this Jewish phraseol-
ogy should be wiped away and modern terminology
substituted.
But there is yet another translation Of the Bible
which capable OF making for ourselves. 1t is
the most useful of all transations, and without il
the Bible is of very little value. 1t is to translate,
not Hebrew Greek words into English words. but
Hebrew and Greek facts into English and American
facts 1t is to translate the and the notions Of
the Bible into their modern equivalents.
To-DAys PROGRAMME.
Rev. Il. II. Shippin, OF Boston, secretary of the
Unitarian Society. announced the programme for to-
day. The Convention will assemble at ten o'clock
under the presidency of Mr.. Dorman b. Eaton, and
Rev Charles +. Dole, of Jamaica Plains Mass. will
read an essay on Three Steps OF Religious
Progress" At eleven o'clock there w, win be an
extempore discussion 1.-THE Work to Which Libcr
ais Are Called by the Exigencies of the Times Re-
marks on the subject expected from Rev. r. Il.
Shppn. Boston, Rev. DR.. Il. II. Chaplin. Of New York;
Rev Alonzo +. Abbott. Poughkeepsie, n. y; Rev.
George Bachelor. Salem. Mass. Rev. James dc Nor
mandie, Portsmouth, N. H.. and Rev. Martin X.
Schermerhorn. Newport, H. l. At half ono
p. M. there will be u collation. In the chapel.
ut halt past two business meeting will
be held. and at half-past missionary meeting
will assemble. The general subject of The Present
Word OF the Liberal Faith to the World will be
treated of by Rev. Edward Everett Hale, Rev. lIinot
j. Savage and Rev. John g. Brooks, ell OF Boston Rev.
Fielder Israel. Salem Mass; Rev. Samuel IL. Cat
throp. Syracuse N. Y, and Rev. DIR. Henry W. Bel
lows New York.