Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-20

CT rrpmfttee and was permitted to see the work com
 1s4l. hoswen R Snow. born in Ashford. Conn,
 June 30, 1sio pastoral work in Illinois; died in FL
 1851. Charles O. ReySo1ds; born in East Hartford.
 vonp Tn s5s ana iast ss E Augustine Fla died in
 New York, while visit north, July Sd, 1880, aged
 1875. David s. Holbrook born in Chester. Mass,
 1s4s graduated at Yale 1s72 pastor of the church in
 Ellington tn RiS des6 ea iss born n 1SGha Me 1s
 graduate of Bates College, 1s7S pastor of the church
 z brief Yninistry of IT months, aged nearly g.
 1s4O. William T. Bacon, born in Woodbury, Conn,
 Aftsr brief service in the ministry at Trum6u and
 South Britain, Conn., he became connected with the
 Tnress and was long the editor of the Derby IrGf-
 script died last Wednesday morning, May 18th, aged
 Prof. Day remarked the longevity of the
 deceased, it being on an average about 70
 years. the year allotted by the psalmist.
 Prof Dwight extended an invitation to all
 present to partake of the collation. to be pro vided by the ladies at six p. m.
 Prof. Fisher called up Rev. John M. Dut- ton to speak for the class of five years ago.
 which held it's first reunion in this city at the Royton House on Wednesday even ing. MT. D. eulogized his alma mater and thought that none of the members of his
 class looked a day older than when they vera sent out from the seminary, while he was impressed on viewing the professors that they had actually grown younger. Of WAY in missionary fields, three were studying in Europe, and nine were present at the re- union.
 Prof. Fisher announced the topic of the afternoon ''The new revision of the English
 version of the New Testament and how far it is best to use it in public worship"
 Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott, editor of the | CH7isti1r UnSo7s read 8 carefully prepared essay on the subject, based partially upon an
 inspection of copy of the new book, sent
 him in advance. Copies of the work are In the hands of ex-President Woolsey of Yale
 and others of the college. not to be opened
 until 8 m. this morning, that being the
 agreement on both sides of the Atlantic ex-
 cept with regard to editors who have had
 copies sent them. Dr. Abbott opened humorously, quoting
 from Sydney Smith, who said he never read
 book previous to reviewing it for fear that
 he might be prejudiced in his review. Iaugh
 ter.) Three canons were to be observed.
 said Goethe in criticism, 1st, ''What does the
 author attempt to do ?'' 2nd, 'sWas it worth do-
 ing ?'' Sd, f'Is it well done ?'' The first two of
 these questions the speaker could measurably answer. The third was not so easy. The n- lustrations from the new version which would be used were not obtained from the revision commia4ee. He paid tribute to the revision committee men of undoubted scholarship and sterling piety. Their work was the re- vision of translation. It would have been
 
 tion. They will give us 8 nearly perfect re- vision, will clear up and light up obscure passages which owing to the poverty of our language were obscure, that is, not expres sing the exact shades of meaning in the Greek The Chinese have no word for God, hence difficulty translators have often ex- perienced Some of the beautiful spiritual truths in the Greek passages were not clearly expressed in the old version. A passage re- garding Paul and Silas and the jailer was cited in this connection, wherein the old yer sion inadequately expressed the profound
 subtle meaning of the Greek original. So l various other passages were quoted, among | ''Lovest thou me?" Paraphrasing and the use of obsolete words were re- sorted to in the old to express | meanings. The revision does away with archaism and ambiguity in many renderings. Bible readers were entitled to a clear expres- sion of the original, and many would not ] probably be content with imperfect render 1 ings. Passages reading ''There are three
 that bear record in heaven" etc. {; the sec- 1 tion relating to Philip and the Eunuch and that regarding the woman taken in adultery, l and one of those passages reported as dear to Baptist brethren, were among those cited as corrected; also the one wherein mention | is made of the angel troubling the waters Forty years ago Jacob and John S. c. Abbott were criticised as in error in doubtinG the l correctness of the version regarding the | troubling of the pool, changed. In the new version Hades was not confounded with Gehenna. demon with ! devil, bishop with overseer. The speaker | apologized for the close association of bishop | with demon in his essay. So the passages
 about the unknown god Paul spoke about at | Athens and Paul and Agrippa were cited in the latter the idea expressed being not conviction but derision. So the passage s'being justified by faith we have peace, D
 reads 'being justified by faith let us have peace, D etc. The version would have \ an important result in awakening and stimu- lating bible study, and this spiritual aspect | of the work was of the highest importance | Many an old sermon will have to be thrown | away or reconstructed. Many other thoughts l and suggestions were offered.
 | A very able essay was read by Rev. Dr. Woodwork. of Berlin Conn, who had not yet seen copy of the revised work. Able | informal speeches were made by President Porter, Rev. Dr. Anderson of Waterbury, Professors Bacon, Fisher, Harris, Dwight Dr. Abbott Dr. Woodworth, Rev. Mir | Hoyey of Fair Haven, and the subject had | free discussion, the extent of the duty de- l volved upon the pulpit of making the people l better acquainted with the new version being l an important feature. The discussion was I listened to with deep interest by the audi | ence, which comprised many alumni from l abroad and a large representation of the clergy of the city and surrounding towns of
 many denominations. A fine collation. was ! served, provided by the ladies, and afterward | an interesting service was held with regard
 to the departing Dakota band.