The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-15
THE AMERICAN BIBLE.

1t is announced that an American
Bible" will soon be published which will
be edited by Professor Haupt, of Johns
Hopkins University, and translated
by himself and "a number of most
learned Hebraic scholars in this
country and abroad. A correspond
ent, who appears to have been per-
mitted to examine the work of Professor
Haupt. who has made translation of
Ecclesiastes, gives some portions of his
version, which, If correct. will create
sensation in religious circles. Here is
sample, beginning with the ninth verse
of the eleventh chapter of that book:
But rejoice. o youth. in thy childhood,
And let thy heart cheer thee in the days Of thy
manhood;
walk In the ways of thy heart,
And In the sight OF thine eyes,
Danish moroseness from thy heart,
But keep away evil from thy flesh,
For childhood ana manhood are feeting.
While the above is a very novel meth
cd of expressing a very familiar portion
of the Bible, it will be forgotten when
the concluding verses of the book, be-
ginning "The conclusion of the whole
matter is, fear God and keep his COM
mandments." are found to have been re-
jected by the translators, on the ground
that they are an Interpretation. thus
leaving the book without any religious
sentiment to offset the epicurean phi
losophy:Of the author. 1t is stated by
the same authority that similar striking
changes will appear in the version of
other books of the Old Testament. DR..
Alexander Johnston, who is the assist
ant of Professor Haupt. in defending the
"hieher criticism" said to the corre-
epOndent: &c.
The higher criticism Of the Bible has re-
ceived much unmeIited abuse from those
who do not fully comprehend it's nature
and scope. IL Is. however. merely the ex
erctse of the reasoning faculties with
which man has been endowed by the
Creator. The Bible Is not itself the in
spired word of God, but contains that
word. and critical investigation is neces-
sary in order to determine what was the
original word OF God and what has been
added by man. Let any one, for example.
cut out from the New Testament the
genuine sayings of our Lore and paste
them together, rejecting all additions OF
narrative and commentary, and he Will
easily see what is inspired and what is not.
A number of distinguished scholars all
over the world are now engaged in the
literary study of the Bible. but. obviously.
possibility if the book be considered as
verbally inspired. The object OF the higher
criticism Is, therefore, to separate the ever
lasting inspired substance and quintes-
sence of the Bible from later additions and
interpretations. and TO assign tn each book
in the sacred writings its proper place in
the development of the chosen people.
Among the American Hebraists who
1t is announced are taking part in the
translation, and who share the editorial
responsibility, are Professor Harper. of
the new Chicago University; Professor
Moore, the learned Andover Seminary
exegetist; Prof. G. II. JOY, the distin-
gulshed Harvard professor; Francis
Brown, editor of Hebrew dictionary;
Prof. w. III. Ward, of the Now York In
DEPENDENT; Prof. L. L. Curtis, the sue
cessor of Professor Harper ut Yale, and
the vell-known Professor Briggs. Psalm
CXX, as it will appear in the American
Bible. is as follows:
1 cried unto Jehovah in my distress. and
He heard me.
o Jehovah. save my life from the lying
lip, from the deceltful tongue.
What will He give unto thee, and what
will He add unto thee, thou deceitful
tonouef
Sharp arrows of o warrior. with GOALS of
the broom plant -.s.t
Woo 10 me that sojsurn with Meshech,
dwell beside the tents of Kedar.
Long enough has my soul dwelt with the
haters of peace. -
] am IallI peace. but whatever say they
are for war.
1t does not need a prophet to predict
that the American Bible, il translated
as indicated. will meet with an OPPOSE
ton which the admitted scholarship of
the translators will scarcely allay, even
if they do represent the leading relipiona