Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 586

544

Chinese Version of the Old and New Testaments.

OKT.

Art. V. Version of the Old and New Testaments in Chinese : proceedings of the Protestant missionaries at the several ports, and of their delegates at Shanghai, relative thereto; Resolutions adopted August 1st, 1850.

FROM the Committees of Delegates, now engaged at Shanghái on the revision of the Chinese version of the Sacred Scriptures, we have re- ceived two Resolutions, with permission to lay the same before our readers. Before doing this, however, we will bring down the narrative of proceedings, relative to the work, which has so long been an object of interest to many, viz., an improved version of the Holy Bible. This work, it will be remembered, was undertaken by Protestant missiona ries of various denominations, assembled at Hongkong in 1843. De- legates, elected in pursuance of measures then adopted, assembled at Shanghái in June, 1847; and finished their revision of the New Tes tament at their session on 24th of July, as mentioned on page 464, having had the work in hand somewhat more than three years. This may seem a long time, yet perhaps not, if the nature and difficulties of the work be duly considered. In writing as above, finished their revision," we do not understand that the Delegates have no more to do in endeavoring to improve the version; and we will revert to it again after giving some account of what has been done with reference to a version of the Old Testament, and introduce the two Resolutions alluded to above.

The plan of having the work of preparing the improved version of the Sacred Scriptures in Chinese, apportioned to the missionaries at the several stations, having failed in a great measure with regard to the New Testament, it was not deemed advisable to adopt the same plan with regard to the Old Testament. Entertaining these views the Committee of Delegates, engaged on the version of the New Testa- ment at Shanghái, passed the three following Resolutions, December 18th, 1849:-

"Ist. That the plan of having the existing translations of the Sacred Scrip- tures portioned out for revision among the local committees of stations, re- commended at the original meeting (at Hongkong in 1843), with reference to the New Testament be not adopted with regard to the Old,-because, on trial, that plan has been found to consume much time and to be productive of but little benefit, it being (as the secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society remarked) beautiful in theory, but unsatisfactory in practical appli- cution.