Page images
PDF
EPUB

sanction of the King of Sweden, and the Privy Council. The institution at Nurenberg and Basle was raised and supported by the principal regular Ministers. The attempts of the Society to administer to the necessities of Iceland and Lapland were, made under the authority of their Bishops. The Priests of France and Spain receive the Scriptures with joy; and even the Pope's Nuncio-yes; the Pope's Nuncio; a name which will command more respect with some persons than any I have mentioned-invited to his palace the donor of a Testament, and rejoiced in the gift*. What greater security can you have for good order, and for the dispersion of the pure word of God, than the countenance and patronage of the constituted authorities in every country?

The translations of the Scriptures into the languages of the East, are forwarded, under the protec tion of the Government in India, by the British and Foreign Bible Society. That these versions will be as perfect as learning and fidelity can make them, I entertain not the slighest question. The new translation, by Sabat, of the Epistle to the Romans † into

[ocr errors][merged small]

↑ Extract of a Letter from the Rev. H. Martyn, dated Cawnpore, Dec. 1899.

"In the Persian and Arabic translations, there are happily no such difficulties. The valuable qualities of our Christian brother, Nathaniel Sabat, render this part of the work comparatively easy. As he is, I trust, a serious Christian, the study of the word of God, and the translation of it, are of course a matter of choice with him, and the rigid adherence to the original a point of duty. As a scholar, his acquirements are very considerable. He was educated under the care of the most learned man in Bagdad; and having continued to exercise himself in composition, he has acquired, in consequence, great critical accuracy and command of words. His ill state of

the Arabic language, is now before me. I have submitted it to the perusal of Major Stewart, Oriental Professor in the East-India College; and by his permission I insert the following note.

"My dear Sir,

"Hertford, Sept. 1, 1810.

"I have the pleasure to state, that the Arabic Translation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by Sabat, appears to me a very masterly performance. If a version of the whole of the Scriptures could be procured from the same hand, I should consider it as a most valuable acquisition.

health renders it impossible to say exactly when the work he has undertaken will be finished; but if nothing untoward happen to interrupt us, you may, I believe, expect the New Testament in the three languages in the course of two years. In the Persian he has advanced to the end of the First Epistle to the Corinthians nearly. In the Arabic, only the Epistle to the Romans, and First Epistle to the Corinthians, are done, with a few chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel.

"Conceiving it to be the object of the Bible Society, in communicating to the East the treasure they once received from it, not merely to offer their support to their parent churches, but to invite the fastidious Mahometan to receive the sacred law which he supposes abrogated, I think that we shall be neglecting our present opportunities, if, with such an instrument as Sabat in our possession, we do not make an attempt, at least, to send forth the Scriptures in a style which shall command respect, even in Nujd and Hejaz.

"And now, hoping for the blessing of God on these our endeavours, and the prayers of Christian people, we humbly request permission to assure the Society, through you, of our constant prayers for them, that while they are thus seeking to make known to all nations, through the Scriptures, the mysteries of the Gospel, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, He himself may be with them, to guide their counsels, direct their efforts, and give them perseverance in the great and glorious undertaking, till the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

"

"I herewith forward a few specimens, in which the words being numbered, will enable you to judge of the fidelity of the translation.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

That my excellent and valuable friend, the Rev. H. Martyn, who is engaged in the Persian translation, will adhere most sacredly to the text and spirit of the original, it is impossible to doubt and why should I doubt of the integrity of the other Gentlemen concerned in this high office of propagating the word of God?-It reflects little credit upon any man that he attempts to check the circulation of the Scriptures, by hints and insinuations which are utterly unfounded. In the year 1766, certain members of the Society in Scotland for propagating Christian Knowledge discovered an intention, on grounds of contracted policy, to oppose the translation of the Scriptures into the Gaelic. The animadversions passed upon these gentlemen by Dr. Johnson are so applicable to the present case, that I must beg leave to insert them.

[ocr errors]

"I did not expect to hear that it could be, in an assembly convened for the propagation of Christian knowledge, a question whether any nation, uninstructed in religion, should receive instruction; or whether that instruction should be imparted to them by a translation of the holy Books into their own language. If obedience to the will of God be necessary to happiness, and knowledge of his will be ne*See Appendix L.

X

cessary to obedience, I know not how he that withholds this knowledge, or delays it, can be said to love his neighbour as himself. He that voluntarily continues ignorance, is guilty of all the crimes which ignorance produces: as to him that extinguishes the tapers of a light-house, might justly be imputed the calamities of shipwrecks. To omit for a year, or for a day, the most efficacious method of advancing Christianity, in compliance with any purposes that terminate on this side of the grave, is a crime of which I know not that the world has yet had an example, except in the practice of the planters of America; a race of mortals whom I suppose no other man wishes to resemble."

If we are to wait for versions into foreign languages, till the objections of all objectors are satisfied, how cheerless must be the prospect, and how miserable the condition of a perishing world!

Objection 14. The Bible Society was founded in a spirit of rivalry and hostility*.

The history which I have given of its origin, is a decisive answer to this objection. There is not the slightest foundation for the charge.

It may not, however, be improper, in this place, to refer to the communication which was made by Lord Teignmouth, in 1804, to the two great religious Societies of England and Ireland. If any spirit of hostility was felt, these communications may enable us to detect it.

* Dr. Wordsworth, passin.

"To the Rev. Dr. Gaskin, Secretary to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge.

"Sir,

[ocr errors]

"Clapham, Aug. 24, 1804. By desire of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society,' I have the honour to transmit to you a plan of this institution, for the information of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge.'

"I have further the pleasure to add, that the communication is dictated by that respect and esteem, which the Committee cannot but feel for a Society which has so long and successfully exerted itself in disseminating the knowledge of Divine truth. "I have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your most obedient humble Servant,

[ocr errors][merged small]

To this letter no answer was ever returned. On a similar address being forwarded to the "Association in Dublin for discountenancing Vice and promoting the Knowledge and Practice of the Christian Religion," that Society returned an early answer of thanks, and expressed its readiness to concur in such measures as might further the objects of the institution.

Where were the rivalry, and hostility, and jealousy? Certainly not with the Bible Society.

Allow me here to tell you a tale: the application of it to the present question I need not make.

A benevolent lady in D, was in the habit of sending children to school for instruction at her own expense. Another lady at length established a school of industry, the benefits of which were

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »