The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-03-31
3awaiinr 6azette.
WEDNESDAY,. MARCH 81. 1850.
The Revision OF the Scriptures,

Il is now pretty definitely understood thar,
while il will take about three years more 10
complete the revision Of the present accepted
version Of the Old Testament Scriptures, the
New Testament is practically finished, and
will make its appearance some time during the
present wear. Notwithstanding the fact that
the Bible was never criticised or questioned
SO closely as II is in this day, there is pro
found and widespread interest in the work
undertaken by the revisaTs; and the appear
ance Of no book during this century has been
anticipated with SO keen a concern as the
Bible VIC are TO receive At their hands.
For a good many years, that portion Of the
Christian public that speaks and reads the En-
glish language has been aware that Its OWN
version Of the Scriptures is full of imperfect
ions. Many passages offend the simplest
principle Of grammar, and many passages,
because of the changes in the language, have
lost their true meaning. Words thSt meant
one thing in King jaime 5 time mean now quite
another. and it has even come to be quite well
understood that portions Of the accepted text
are of doubtful authenticity, in the lights that
have been thrown upon them by modern
scholarship.
We believe, from the feeling everywhere
around Us, that the result Of this revision Will
be received with unquestioning confidence,
The public understand that the revision will
be the work of the best scholarship of two
countries, selected and exercised upona broad
and cathalic basis, and arriving at result
that is essentially unanimous. 1t is believed
that these men know all there is TO be known
udon the subject which engages heirattention:
and the new revision will be received, in our
opiriou, without question. Indeed, we doubt
whether there is any divine living, outside OF
this circle of men, who can publicly under
take TO criticise their work without danger TO
his own reputation. OF course, there will be
great curiosity 10 see what kind of work the
revised version will make OF accepted doc
trines and various sects. Il is quite possible
that certain proof-texts that have been used to
uphold precious old dogmas, or iustate and
support sects, will be riddled; but we have
no idea that the essential facts and doctrines
recorded in the book will be changed. Indeed,
We already have this assurance from the re-
visers themselves. Love to God and men will
remain the beginning and end Of religion,
and obedience u law will be
the whole of morality, The record of the life
and death of Christ will be changed in no
essential particular, and he WILL still remain,
what he has always been, the central figure
and the informing and inspiring force OF the
religion called by his name. Ii the men who
have called themselves by other names get =
tumble, who cares? But the great, undeniable
fact that the Bible-reading Christians, of all
names, are waiting for the new revision with
such interest that there is not one of them be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans who
will not purchase one 81 the first opportunity,
is full o. grateful significance, alike honorable
70 themselves and TO the self-sScrifcing work
ers who have sustained, without money and
without price, the long and ardious task cl
preparing perfect Bible in the English Ian
guage.