Extracts from the Annual Report of the Rensselaer County Bible Society. "The grand object of our Society is, to distribute throughout 'all lands' the sacred writings, faithfully translated; so that no sentence or word in any language shall appear obscure, mutilated or disguised. Such an object is worthy of support from all who value the independence of the churches--unfettered liberty of conscience-the right and the duty of every man to take the pure word of God as the only standard of his faith-the guide of his conduct-the lamp to his feet, along the path to heaven.' 6 "The rule by which every Baptist missionary labours in the translation of the sacred Scriptures, is, that they endeavour, by earnest prayer and diligent study, to ascertain the exact meaning of the original text; to express that meaning as exactly as the nature of the language into which they shall translate the Bible will permit; and to transfer no words which are capable of being literally translated.' "This rule is sanctioned by high authority. 'The first and principal business of a translator,' says Bishop Lowth, is to give the plain literal and grammatical sense of his author; the obvious meaning of his words, phrases, and sentences; and to express them in the language into which he translates, as far as may be, in equivalent words, phrases, and sentences'-' want of fidelity admits of no excuse, and is entitled to no indulgence.' Archbishop Newcome, whose opinions are generally received with deference by the pious and learned, when treating of the English version, says: The translator should express every word in the original by a literal rendering, where the English idiom admits of it, and where not only purity, but perspicuity and dignity of expression can be preserved.' Again, he says, 'The critical sense of passages should be considered, and not the opinions of any denomination of Christians whatever.''The translators should be philologists, and not controversialists.' "By such and other means of a kindred nature, the Baptists are endeavouring to dissipate the gross moral darkness that has covered the people. And your committee feel that such means are essential to the perfect accomplishment of the work. For just in proportion as translations into any language are obscured, mutilated, or disguised, the mists and darkness of ignorance will rest upon the minds of the people who speak it. "The retention of the Scriptures, first entirely, and subsequently in part, in the dead languages, had its origin in Papal authority. It is Papal policy, therefore, to perpetuate the practice to any extent whatever. The version of Scripture used at this day by Roman Catholics, consisting of the Rhemish New Testament, and the Douay Old Testament, together known as the Douay Bible, were translated, not from the original languages, but from the Latin Vulgate, and is so full of foreign words and obscure renderings, that a great portion of it is incomprehensible to common readers. "That Roman Catholics should sustain their own policy is not to be wondered at, but that any Protestant sect, professing to resist the authority of the Pope in general, and to discountenance that policy in particular, should act upon the same principle in Scripture translation, is perfectly inexplicable, unless it is for a sectarian purpose. But such is the fact. It is the policy of the British and Foreign Bible Society; of the American Bible Society, and their auxiliaries. The rule of translation adopted by the last named Society, in 1836, is well known. It restricts the 'appropriating of money for the translating, printing or distributing of the sacred Scriptures in foreign languages,' to such versions only as are confirmed 'in the principle of their translation to the common English version; at least so far as that all the religious denominations represented in this society, can consistently use and circulate said versions in their several schools and communities.' That of the British and Foreign Bible Society is substantially the same. The natural effect of this rule, when acted upon, is to retain in all their translations 'the old ecclesiastical words' which King James ordered to be kept' in the translation published by his authority in 1611. What that translation is, according to that rule, all others are to be. In other words, King James' version is to become the standard of translation. Here then, is, virtually, a decree that the English translation is THE BIBLE a decree that is perfectly analagous to that of the council of Trent, in the sixteenth century, which declared the Latin Vulgate the authentic version; and commanded that that alone should be read publicly, and in all sermons, expositions and disputations; one effect of which was, that soon, multitudes considered it as dictated by the Holy Spirit; at least was providentially guarded against all error; was consequently of divine authority, and more to be regarded than even the original Hebrew and Greek text. "It ought not to be overlooked that the advocates of this new rule are arming the A. B. S. with a power that may easily prove fatal to the best interests of man. One of their ostensible objects is to hinder the circulation of corrupt and mutilated copies of the Scriptures, but, it has been argued by some of them, already, that it will render an important service to the cause of truth by the restraints which it will impose on the operations of one denomination, (the Baptists) which they consider, in a peculiar sense, 'enemies of the cross of Christ.' "Let it be remembered that this conservative power is assumed without Divine warrant; and that, according to the rule in question, it is to be exercised for the benefit of, not the original Scriptures, nor faithful, literal translations of them, but the common English version. It is, consequently, a tremendous power that is to be wielded over the very sources of the religious faith of mankind; not by arguments addressed to the understanding and conscience, but by the decrees which shall issue from the council chambers' of the A. B. S." PRAISEWORTHY LIBERALITY. The following communication, covering two fifty dollar bills, was a short time since sent to the Editor of the Biblical Recorder and Southern Watchman. It discovers so much of genuine Christian principle exemplified in acts of true beneficence, that we consider it due to the pious, but unknown donor, to copy his note; and invite the attention of our wealthy brethren throughout the land to an imitation of his generous example. Brother Meredith, Buford's Bridge, Barnwell District, Having seen in several of your last papers strong appeals made by the American and Foreign Bible Society, and by the Board of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, to the Churches, for more aid-and feeling a deep interest in every thing tending to prosper the dear Redeemer's kingdom in this world, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with my mite, asking the favour of you to forward the same to the proper persons. One of the enclosed $50 bills is for the use of the American and Foreign Bible Society, the other for the Burman Mission. By attending to the above you will greatly oblige a friend to yourself, and to all who love the Lord Jesus." It deserves also to be mentioned, that the Cashier of the Bank of South Carolina generously presented checks for the amount without charge.-Again, the young ladies connected with the Atheneum Seminary, under care of Rev. John L. Dagg, (Alabama,) have since last May, paid over to Rev. A. Maclay, Agent of the Society, the sum of $140 for the Burman Mission; and the contents of their Mission Box for the Burman Bible, amounting to $6, and two gold rings for the American and Foreign Bible Society. The following letter from New-Orleans will be read with pleasure by every friend of faithful translations of the Bible. DEAR SIR-At a late sermon delivered by the Rev. Theodore Clap, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in this city, a collection was taken up to aid the Bible Society of which you are Secretary, when the sum of two hundred and six dollars was raised, which sum I have the pleasure to transmit to you, by Mr. Mark Walton, to be applied as follows, viz. : One hundred and fifty dollars to constitute our worthy pastor a member and Director for Life; and the balance to be invested in Bibles, and sent out to him, to be distributed in this State. Very respectfully, I am, Sir, Your most ob't serv't, JAMES W. BREEDLOVE, The names of Auxiliary Societies, Life Directors and Life Members, constituted since the annual meeting, will be published in our next quarterly paper. APPROPRIATIONS. May 1, 1839. To aid in printing and distributing the Scriptures translated by $1000 4000 $5000 5000 GENERAL AGENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. $10,000 At the last annual meeting of the Society, Rev. Ira M. Allen, was unanimously elected General Agent and Assistant Treasurer of the American and Foreign Bible Society. He has accepted the appointment, and entered upon the responsible duties of his office. As a "beloved brother and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord," favourably known to the denomination throughout the United States, he is affectionately commended to the regards of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. Orders for books and all remittances of money for the Society, should be directed to Rev. Ira M. Allen, General Agent and Assistant Treasurer of the American and Foreign Bible Society, New-York. All other communications should be directed to the Corresponding Secretary. TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. Moneys received by WILLIAM COLGATE, Treasurer of the "American and Foreign Bible Society," 1839. April. G. W., Russelville, Kentucky do do A F. Long Miss Mary H. Quinsey, Washington, Sunday School Box, 50 75.00 2 50 34 79 41 12 Ontario county Association Bible So- Church. per William Tracy, Treas. 143 00 30 00 195 00 161 00 1.00 of Louis, per Daniel Hascall 30 00 18 00 Baptist church Phenixville, per Rev. I. Connecticut 10 00 Young Men's City Bible Society, per Samuel Raynor, Treasurer 300 00 Baptist Bible Society, Joseph B. Gilbert, Treasurer,through Talladega County Bible Society, per 753 00 95 00 1400 00 109 18 60 00 195 00 Granville Bible Society, per G. M. Rev. C. Bartolett, Flemington, N. J. Rev. Thomas Wilks Philadelphia City and County Bible Society, Joseph Taylor, Treasurer, per George Swope Elkton Bible Society, per Robert, ciety, per Nelson McCall, Treasurer Louisville Bible Society, Kentucky, per Rev. R. Morey Rev. Andrew Collins, Chester co. Pa. Bethel Moore, Montgomery co. Penn. Holland Purchase Yearly Meeting of Free Will Baptists, per B. McKoose, Georgia Baptist Convention, Col. Absalom Janes, Treasurer A Young Convert of N. Stonington, 5 00 mers 6 87 30 00 7 69 6 00 30 00 90 00 85 15 Joseph Barnhurst, Philadelphia 5 00 Mrs. Priscilla Barnhurst, do 5 00 Orleans County Bible Society, per Greenport Bap. Ch. per Rev.Mr.Miller Augusta American and Foreign Bible Society, per Bennett Harris, Treas. 2d Baptist church, Carravau, Columbia county, New-York, per H. P.Skinner Mrs. Chas. Brockway, Brodalbin, New York, per Rev. Isaac Wescott. Baptist Church at Kingsbury, Indiana Baptist Church at Laporte Village do Two Ladies of 11th Baptist Church, Phila. per Rev. A. D. Gillett, ea. $5 1st Baptist Church and Society, Pawtucket, R. I. per Rev. Silas Spalding| Fall River Bapt. Bible Society, Mass. Baptist Church Weston, Mass. pr Rev. Joseph Hodges 59 77 50 00 341 70 60 00 30 00 49 00 5 16 52 00 9 00 30 00 30 35 31 87 10 00 50 00 30 00 8.00 5 00 52 50 Baptist Church, Swansea, Mass. 5 00 Miss N. Cleaves, Upper Beverly, Mass. 1 00 3.00 5.00 3.00 184 12 3.00 206 00 50 00 10 00 2.00 10 00 11191 27 Rev. CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Corresponding Secretary, 82 Madison-street, N. Y. This publication is periodical, and contains one sheet; the postage for any distance under 100 miles, is 1 1-2 cents; for any distance over 100 miles, 2 1-2 cents. THE friends of the American and Foreign Bible Society are earnestly requested to observe the following indispensable rules in communicating by letter with the Board. Letters containing remittances of money should be addressed to Rev. Ira M, Allen, No. 6 Dutch-street; but as the Board have only one official organ of general correspondence, all other communications must be addressed to C. G. Sommers, Corresponding Secretary of the American and Foreign Bible Society, No. 82 Madison-street, New-York. Agents of the Society are requested invariably to pursue the same course. INFORMATION WANTED. Great care has been taken to forward the annual Reports, and Quarterly Papers of the Society to the Churches and to the Life Directors and Members of the Society, but in some cases we have unavoidably failed for want of the Post-Office address of our patrons. Those who do not receive our publications, are requested to furnish the Corresponding Secretary with such information as may enable him to supply the deficiency. EXTRACTS FROM THE FIRST REPORT OF "THE YOUNG MEN'S CITY BIBLE SOCIETY." In accordance with a wise custom, and as responsive to your reasonable anticipa tions, your Executive Board present their first Annual Report. In doing so, it may perhaps not seem inappropriate to premise, that our association was called into being at a peculiar era in our denominational history. We refer to that time when American Baptists, guided as they still believe, by omniscient wisdom, formed a distinet Bible organization, under the name of the American and Foreign Bible Society. At the period of which we speak, the young men of our denomination plainly saw the propriety of throwing their influence into the scale together with their senior brethren, and going hand in hand with them in their effort to give to a world the word of God, pure as it came from the fount of Heaven's inspiration. VOL. I. 14 |