Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 587

1850.

Chinese Version of the Old and New Testaments.

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“2d. That the work of revising the versions of the Old Testament in Chi- nese be placed in the hands of a Committee of Delegates, who shall be ap- pointed for that purpose by the several local Committees hereinafter to be mentioned, and who shall be the final judges of the version.

"3d. That the Protestant missionaries, who are interested in the original plan of revising the Chinese versions of the Sacred Scriptures, and located at the following places,-viz. Canton, Hongkong, Amoy, Fuhchau, Ningpo, and Shanghái—be recommended to form local Committees at their respective stations, which local Committees shall be entitled each to send one or more delegates at their option; it being understood, however, that the delegate or delegates from any one local Committee shall only be entitled to one vote." These three Resolutions were immediately communicated to the missionaries resident at the abovenamed places; and, consequent thereon, delegates were elected. It was also determined, by reso- lutions passed by a majority of these six stations, that Shánghái should be the place of meeting, and the time the first of July 1850, or as soon after that date as practicable,-it being deemed proper that the dele- gates employed on the New Testament should complete their work, before those for the Old should commence their sessions. At length, the work on the New Testament being nearly completed, the first of August was agreed upon as the day for the meeting of the delegates, elected to form the Committee for the preparation of the version of the Old Testament. Accordingly, so many of those delegates as were pre- sent at Shanghái on that day, assembled and organized themselves into committee; and immediately proceeded to their work on the Old Testament.

On the two following Resolutions, both passed the same day by the two Committees (the one on the New Testament and the other on the Old), we offer no remarks, further than to note the fact, that thereby the two Committees are relieved from any further discussion of, or action on, a most perplexing question. The meetings, at which these resolutions were passed, were held at the residence of Dr. Medhurst.

“Shanghái, August 1st, 1850.

"Present, Drs. Medhurst, Boone, and Bridgman, and the Rev. Messrs. Stro- nach and Milne; the following passed unanimously:

"The Committee of Delegates, engaged on the version of the translations of the New Testament in Chinese, having now completed their work, the words Osos and IIvsūμa being left untranslated, according to the resolution of the Committee of Delegates passed in 1847, do hereby Resolve,

"That the version, as it now stands, be offered to the Bible Societies of Europe and America, and to all and every one of the Protestant missionaries at present engaged, or who may hereafter be engaged, in the work of evan- gelizing China; with the understanding that all parties who shall make use of

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VOL. XIX. NO. X.