Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-21

Is first principles of textual criticism, II
g they wish to show that a reading ought
ss not to have been adopted, to compare it
8: with the receioed reading in point OF
!" clearness, of probability, of conformity to
!" usage, and the like. If in these respects
ssit is superior to the received, then, say |
they, the receiued was better, and ought |
I" to have been retained. Now in such |
g reasoning there is not word OF truth. |
E" Whether or not reading is to be adopted, |
:" is simply matter Of testimony. 1t the
90 most ancient authorities concur in it, |
"then we are bound in simple obedience
" to receive it. Only when ancient au-
thorities are divided can we take such
"ard even then, with precisely the oppo-
g site estimate of our friend, giving PREFER
" ence, that is, to the harder, the less gram.
:. NAUTICAL, the less probable reading, for
'this reason, that, in transcrihing, that
(which was difficult was more likely to be
g altered to that which was easy than
" aice cersa." In regard to objections
against revision based upon rejection of
texts on which dogmas have been founded,
Dean Afford says that such changes are
made simply as an act of honest obedi-
&C. nce to truth of testimony, or truth of rem
"dering A translator of Holy Script
ure must be absolutely colorless ready to
sacrifice the clearest text, and the plain
est proof OF doctrine if the words are
not those of what he is constrained in
g his conscience to receive as Gods teach
ing. This is admirably candid, and it
is impossible not to respect the honesty
which thus puts the discovery of the truth
before the maintenance of dogma, regard
less of what may follow such intellectual
integrity.
The fatal dilemma of orthodoxy consists
in the irreconcilable discrepancy between
It's foundation and superstructure. 1t has
been claiming, as the chief bulwark of its
authority, the plenary inspiration of the
Bible. We speak now of the Protestant
Churches That of Rome has peculiar
methods of argument. But it has become
necessary to re-translate the Bible, and in
doing so it is unavoidably revealed that
a great deal Of what has been taught for
revelation was nothing OF the kind, but
merely forgery or laundering. The new
testament in fact discredits the old one,
yet it is the old one which, as the Standard
critic truly observes, has struck deep
''root in the hearts and memories of the
''English people, and of all English-speak-
ing peoples, now numbering nearly onehun-
bred millions. To change this familiar ver-
sion is, indeed, very difficult matter,
| and be it observed that the difficulty has
no connection with any considerations of
the superior accuracy Of the new ver-
sion. In other words, it is asserted, how
ever indirectly, and the assertion is clearly
warranted, that it is easier to secure the
maintenance of the old version, notwith-
standing its notorious defects, than to
secure acceptance of new one, however
superior in fidelity to the preceding.
This means that familiar error is dearer
to the Christian masses than unfamiliar
truth, and that they would rather go on
believing vain fables than incur the in
teliectual fatigue incident upon revision
of their creed. Such conclusion is little
creditable to the mental vigor and
moral stamina of the orthodox world, but
it is extremely natural after all. 1t is,
above all, the position towards which the
clergy would seem to be driven by the
forcs Of circumstances, unless they arc pre-
pared for all the inevitable results of the
changes which revision brings in its
train. For when the laity begin to under
stand why it is naturally to be ex-
''pected" that the Bible should require
to be revised at intervals, it is certain
that they will be in fair way to challenge
the credentials OF the churches after
fashion which will bode Ill to the stability
OF the latter. The situation of orthodoxy
is indeed an extremely embarrass-
ing one. 1t has found it abso.
lutely impossible to resist the de-
mand for new translation of the Bible,
but in making this new translation it per-
ceives that it is cutting the ground from
under its own feet. 1t must abandon plen-
airy inspiration, and when it has done that
it viii find that it has surrendered the
very key of the citadel.