The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-06-15


ing Protestant churches, to testify TO the fac
that our present English Bible is not fre,
from errors, and then drew the conclusion
that these faults ought TO be corrected. Thil
conclusion is strengthened and rendered
necessary by the knowledge gained in re
cent years from the advancement of science
especially in the field OF Natural History
and Geology researches among buried cit
les and the recovery of ancient inscription:
throwing floods oflighton Bible statements
! 10 which may be added the increased atten
ton now paid TO the study of ancient Ian.
guages, and greater freedom from the bia.
that is likely TO attend an age Of bitter con
troversy-all these evince the superior quail
ifications possessed now for making rcvis
ion of the English Bible.
In this communication think it may be
interesting rs well as profitable 10 give an
analysis Of the objections urged against
this movement. These are most likely to
arise
I. From the most ignorant who know OF
only one Bible, King James version.
2. From ignorant prejudice that objects
to any change and simply because it is a
change.
3. From those who say the cold Bible is
good enough for me-" This is what the boy
said going to mill in the oldcn time when a
progressive man tried to show him how TO
divide the grain in the sack so as to bal
ance on the horses back. He replied, "the
old way with the grain in one end and a
large stone in the other is good enough for
me- ~ need hardly say to the intelligent
reader that the above classes are incompe-
tent witnesses as to whether this new YER
sion ought TO be made or received.
L. From those who, though intelligent
in other matters, have yet never given this
subject much study.
| .. That this is not a good time for it, be-
cause We are in hand-to-hand conflict with
sin in all its various forms. But this con-
tlict will not cease soon, and shall We go on
giving to the world our authorized version
with lis acknowledged errors ? This would
not be honest. Besides the sword of the
Spirit cuts keener and deeper by having the
rust secured off.
g. That il will shake the faith of many.
This may be the result or may not be ac-
cording to the intelligence one possesses of
how our Bible come down to our times. /
can conceive without any very great. ..stretch
of the imagination of persons whose faith
would be considerably benefited If it were
SO vigorously shaken that all the error
would be dropped from the foundation on
which it is based.
Z. From those who base their objection
on some side issue, for example, objecting
to printing the Bible in paragraphs as any
modern book. This feature will be to many
an occasion of great rejoicing. II is really
wonder that the Bible, all broken up into
short verses, the connection frequently de-
stroyed, crowded full of distracting refer
ence Letters and burdened with husan
headlines some of which are plain peryer-
sons of what the text says, has been able
at all TO survive the indiscretions of its
friends. Take Tennyson's tender love story
as told in 'Enoch Arden or Miiton's ''Par-
adise Lost" and load them down with aster-
isks daggers, section and paragraph marks.
parallels, and all the letters of the alphabet
as references to hinder one at every step and
it would literally destroy all reading of
those works We have nothing in the
whole realm of English Literature that can
stand such treatment but the Bible.
s. From those who think that the revis-
ion may lead to other reyisions, and what is
most of all TO be deplored a revision in fa-
vor of each denomination Noah Webster,
the great American lexicographer, once re-
piled to this in the following language
1T is said if we admit any alteration by
one person this will encourage others TO
make alterations. This is doubtless mis-
take So far from this, the adoption of our
copy, revised with care and judgment,
would certainly prevent the multiplication
of altered copies. Very few people are
aware of what immense evil religion has
sustained from the mere reference of the
moderns for antiquity. II IS this oyerwean-
ing reverence for the opinions and writings
of the ancient Fathers, which thas continu-
ed in the christian churches most of the
corruptions which now deform and debase
the religion of Christ. Neither fears of in
novation nor respect for ancient opinions,
systems, or language, can Justify us in ad
herring to obvious errors. When error is
detected it should be Immediately abandon |
ed and when truth is ascertained not only |
expediency but morality demands that it |
should be received and defended.
0. From those who think this movement
viii turn many into infidcls. This is the |
same objection that was made to the rcvis- !
;on in which Jerome was engaged near the
close OF the fourth century against every |
step of progress whether in science, as
against Galileo; or in religion, as against
Luther and his compeers !. or in Bible trans
lation, as against Wickliffe and Tyndale
Listen to this pitifri wall over his ruined
occupation by q whining contemporary of
Wickliiie: The gospel pearl is east forth
and is trodden under foot of swine; and /
what was one time revered by clergy. their
ptCulisiI iAhI>uiS- lS-hl>Nc lpAsfSi sSihiAch
TO the laity.n When Tyndale translated the
New Testament into English this royal de-
cree went forth against il The Scriptures
in English are books of heresy and shall be
clearly exterminated and exiled out OF this
realm of England forever" One of the
Bishops declared 81 have done that lyeth1
in ME for the suppression of such persons
but il passeth my power or Of any spiritual
nan 10 do it. If they are not speedily
checked, they will undo Us ALL" And the
-easons assigned are that this new transla
ion would shake the faith of Tie people and
make many Of them iniidels. This old and
'enseless objection that has cloggel the
wheels of progress in. every department of
for centuries; has becnin too
,ad company to cause much of a shudder
when itlifts its hands with horror.
II would be easy to cite many renderings
hat are sure to be cherished as prizes and
admired for their beauty, but to specify ex-
lmples at length would take more space in
his paper than / have right to ask and !
therefore, content myself by stating in gen
raj way two advantages we have suggested
o us by this new work.
1. While reading the new revision you
annot help feeling that you are in harmony
With the progress of the ages. You feel that