Images de page
PDF
ePub

with great caution, and with manifest reluctance on those parts of Scripture which touch the point of parity. Let any one, for example, look at the commentaries of CHRYSOSTOM on the epistles to Timothy and Titus. Copious and fluent on other passages, he is most concise and embarrassed on those which relate to ministerial rank. Something he was obliged to say but the plain words of the apostle exhibit a picture so unlike the hierarchy, that the eloquent patriarch, under the semblance of interpretation, throws in a word or two to blind the eyes of his readers, and shuffles off to something else; but never so much as attempts to argue the merits of the question upon scriptural ground. This is the reverse of JEROME's practice in his exposition. At this early day we find the advocate for parity boldly appealing to Scripture; examining, comparing, and reasoning upon its decisions; and the prelatical expounder skipping away from it with all possible haste and dexterity. We leave the reader to draw his own inference.

(To be continued.)

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCÉ.

000

FOREIGN.

Memoir relative to the translation of the Sacred Scriptures; to the Baptist Missionary Society in England, dated Serampore, Aug. 14, 1807.

(Concluded from page 329.)

25. OUR brethren will perceive, that in addition to the generous benefaction of the friends of religion in Britain, we have to acknowledge the liberality and the public spirit of our worthy friends in America, who have so cordially interested themselves in the work, that unsolicited by us, they have within the last two years collected and sent out for that purpose, nearly 6,000 dollars.

26. In the effort made to raise a fund in India for the purpose of translating, we acknowledge with gratitude the zeal of our worthy friends in the Establishment. This attempt succeeded in a considerable degree, and a sum was subscribed amounting to nearly 14,000 rupees: out of which fund we received monthly 300 rupees for Mr. Lassar's salary, and the same sum towards the support of the translations in general, from May 1806 to 1807: since which time, the fund being reduced below 5,000 rupees, has been confined to the Chinese and Persian translations.

27. On examining this account, it will appear that the greatest expense attending this work is that of printing. This, by the end of 1806, had amounted to nearly 3,500 pounds, though confined almost entirely to the Bengalee; while that of translating had scarcely amounted to a third of that sum, although the Chinese, and indeed the whole of the translations, were included. This will enable us to speak with a degree of precision re

specting the probable expense of finishing the whole of the twelve translations.

28. Of the expense attending ten of these, namely, the Sungskrit, the Bengalee, (Old Testament,) the Hindee, the Orissa, the Mahratta, the Telinga, the Kernata, the Guzzerattee, the Burman, and that in the language of the Seeks, we can speak with a good degree of certainty. The printing of the whole ten will probably be completed in about four years. Less than half that period, however, will probably complete the New Testament in several of these: as, the Sungskrit, the Orissa, the Hindee, and the Mahratta, as well as the whole of the Scriptures in the Bengalee. If, however, a pundit were retained in each of these languages, during the whole of that period, the expense of ten pundits on an average of about 25 rupees monthly, and 300 annually, would be for the whole ten a yearly sum of 3,000 rupees. So that 12,000 rupees will probably defray the remainder of the expense attending the mere translation of the New Testament into these ten languages.

29. The expense of printing each respective version can be easily calculated. It may probably be as fol

lows:

Rupees.

The Sungskrit, 1000 copies, about 600 pp. 4to.

5,000

The Hindee,

[blocks in formation]

The Mahratta,

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

900 8vo.

4,500

The Bengalee, (last vol. of the Old Testament,)

1000 pages,

Printing,
Translating,

3,500

46,000

12,000

Rupees 58,000

Or l. 7,250 sterling. When from this we deduct 12,371 rupees, or . 1,546, the surplus now in our hands, (the

sum advanced for printing these versions excepted,) the sum required to complete these ten versions will be about 46,000 rupees, or l. 5,750 sterling. So that about fourteen hundred pounds annually, for four years will, as far as we can guess, enable us, not only to finish the whole of the Scriptures in the Bengalee, but also to translate the New Testament into the Sungskrit, the Hindee, the Orissa, the Mahratta, the Telinga, the Kernata, the Guzzerattee, the Burman, and the language of the Seeks, and print an edition of a thousand in each.

30. The expense of the Chinese and Persian translations is considerably more than that of the others. Mr. Lassar's wages are 300 rupees monthly, and Mr. Sabat's 200 rupees. In the Chinese, the New Testament will probably be finished in two years. Mr. Lassar's wages will in that time, at 3,600 annually, amount to 7,200. If we allow two years and a half for the completion of the Persian, this will be 6,000 rupees. Together, 13,200 rupees, or l. 1,650 sterling.

31. The expense of printing the Persian will be rather less than that of the Sungskrit, as the New Testament may be comprised in about 500 pages quarto. We also have a fount of Persian ready. Nor is it probable that the expense of printing the Chinese version will much exceed, especially if we procure a brother from England capable of cutting the types, (or rather blocks,) as we have reason to expect. This would indeed curtail the grand article of expense; as these, being in the mode of stereotype, require only two men to throw off any number of copies at pleasure. Chinese paper can be procured in abundance at Calcutta. If to the 13,200 before, we add 10,000 more for the expenses of printing, this will make 23,200 rupees, or l. 2,900. So that about three thousand pounds more, will, we trust, finish the translation of the New Testament in the Chinese and the Persian. If we add this sum to that required to complete the other ten, it will appear that somewhat more than eight thousand pounds are required to finish these twelve translations of the New Testament. It is with propriety that the sum for the two last versions is added; for although three thousand rupees remain of the fund subscribed in India, yet we have at present no ground to

expect that any thing further will be subscribed; the whole must, therefore, as far as we can say, depend on the generous exertions of the friends of religion in Eu Tope and America; and we cannot but feel thankful to our gracious God, that this work has been so far succeeded by him, as to require only the sum of two thousand pounds annually for about four years, to complete Translations of the New Testament in twelve languages, and to print an edition of a thousand copies in each of them.

32. As the Old Testament consists of a little more than thrice the quantity of the New, the expense of that part of the work is easily calculated. Several circumstances may also concur to reduce the expense; such as, facility in the work, improvement in the types, and other things of that nature. It is however scarcely necessary to touch on this part now, as the way being once opened in these languages by the completion of the New Testament, no one can doubt that the friends of re. ligion will give every due encouragement to the transla tion of the whole Scriptures.

33. Thus far helped of God, we desire to adore his mercy and wisdom, and through you, dear brethren, to present our grateful and cordial acknowledgments to the friends of religion in England, Scotland, and America, who have so generously come forward to assist in the work. To press them to go forward, is as unnecessary as it would be unkind in us, after the liberality we have experienced, to doubt their future support. Nor is it less superfluous to represent the nature of the work. It commends itself to the conscience and understanding of all who love the word of God. Were it only for the assistance it will afford European Missionaries in attempting to spread the gospel in these languages, it would deserve attention: but we cannot help looking to something be yond this. It is promised, that the Spirit shall be poured out on all nations; to HIM alone it belongs to know the times and the seasons, but we cannot forbear hoping that the Spirit of God may be poured out on the natives of these respective countries in the perusal of his holy word; nor avoid foreseeing that, were He to vouchsafe this blessing on his word, the wilderness would soon be come a fruitful field, and the desert blossom as the rose.

« PrécédentContinuer »