of principle, was undoubtedly a wise course for brethren desiring to work together. For many years it was the bond of union. Fears were allayed on the one hand, while no man's hopes were crushed on the other. The question was surrendered to the course of Providence.

At the annual meeting two years ago, the resolution restricting the Board to the circulation of the commonly-received version in English was rescinded, and measures looking to a new or corrected English version were immediately taken in the Board. The public announcement of this fact became at once the occasion of revived fears, and of discussions which pervaded the whole body of members and patrons of the Society. There was unquestionably point and severity given to these discussions in many instances, by the feeling that the movement involved a violation of pledges given in divers forms, and in some cases with the understood sanction of the Board of Managers. It is not strange that in the heat of such a controversy, with few attempts at explanation, language was sometimes used without those kindly qualifications which soothe the heart and rekindle love. In how far there was ground for the understanding of pledges, it is not now perhaps material to say. Official documents exist which are certainly liable to such construction, whether so intended or not; and that they were actually so construed, and that in undefinable ways such understanding did very generally arise, are simple matters of fact. Under such circumstances, your Board believe that the reasons which required and justified the original restriction more strongly demanded a similar measure now. These were not the indications of a providential call for a departure from the former policy of the Society; and to leave the question again to Providence, on the same grounds as before, was, as your Board believe, the true line of duty. Thus, as then, brethren might labor together so far as agreed, waiving the question in debate; or if to any the correction of the English Scriptures seem a duty too imperative and immediate to be postponed, such a work might be the separate and distinct one of all disposed to join in it, while still the ranks of this Society should be unbroken, and the whetted sword fall upon the "King's enemies" only.

Was this, in fact, what was done by the society last year? Clearing our way through all the husks and rinds of the transaction, and seeking studiously the real intentions which the resolves of last year were designed to express, do we find substantially a renewal of the restriction of 1838 ? Such is the belief of your Board; and this interpretation they accordingly communicated to the members and friends of the Society, in the Periodical Paper of October last. To that paper reference is here made.*

* The action taken at the late meeting of the Society (1850) assumed the form which was naturally occasioned by the circumstances of the case. At the business meeting preliminary to the public anniversary of 1849, a meeting usually attended, and in that case actually attended, by but few persons, (the number is variously esti

It has been stated that this Society, by the resolves in question, has put its seal upon the present version as too sacred and perfect for amendment, and even that it has virtually determined "to stereotype" its errors and obscurities. Your Board have seen nothing in the action of the Somated at from thirty to one hundred,) the restrictive resolution of 1838 was rescinded, with no previous notice to the Society, with an opportunity for but a few minutes' discussion upon so grave a matter, and by a small vote. The announcement was received by the denomination with surprise, and the question whether any action, and, if any, what action would be taken by the Board under such a vote, became immediately, in many minds, one of anxious interest. There was, however, no occasion for protracted suspense. At the next monthly meeting of the Board, held June 6, 1849, a special committee of five was raised to inquire into the expediency of publishing a New Testament altered from the common version. The views of this committee soon became known, and two reports, a majority report, in favor of proceeding to publish a “corrected" version, on the authority of the Board, and before the next annual meeting of the Society, and a minority report dissenting, were expected. The presenting of these reports, however, was waived, and after the lapse of several months, during which time there had been several discussions of the question, the differences of opinion which existed in the Board were made the ground of "awaiting the instructions of the Society." The Board took no further action on the subject. Individuals, however, occupying the highest executive offices of the Society, on their own responsibility, and as their own work, proceeded to the preparation of a version of the New Testament, "with several hundred emendations," and in an address to the members of the Society, in advocacy of the principles on which it had been constructed, gave the information that the stereotype plates of this version would be offered to the Society as a donation at the next annual meeting.

Under these circumstances the Society met. At nearly the same stage in the preliminary proceedings at which the restrictive resolution of 1838 had been rescinded in 1849, the following resolution was presented :

Resolved. That this Society, in its issues and circulation of the English Scriptures, be restricted to the commonly received version, without note or comment.

In entertaining this resolution, instead of waiting for the presentation of the plates, the Society made an election to which it was entirely competent. Those who brought forward the resolution, it is well known, gave it the particular form which it assumed, for reasons which were declared in the course of the discussion. They inserted the words "without note or comment," because editions of the Scriptures had been published, bearing the imprint of the Society, which departed in several particulars from the received English text. They made the form unqualified as to character, because, not being a fundamental law, it could be modified unde any providential change of circumstances, and because the words, "until ctherwise directed by the Society," in the resolution of 1838, had been construed as involving permission to proceed to a revision whenever the resolution should be rescinded, without waiting for any further action by the Society.

These circumstances being taken into account, the resolution of 1850 means precisely the same thing which the Society proclaimed in the resolution of 1838. The * Several members of the Board, who were members likewise in previous years, desire it to be noted in this place, that they had no knowledge whatever of these variations until public attention was called to them, and that they believe no authority for them ever to have been given by the Board.

ciety which is justly susceptible of such an interpretation, and they believe that the Society will concur with them in meeting it with an unqualified disclaimer. They neither regard the version as without faults, nor have they any desire to perpetuate its faults. As a translation, it is a hu

one resolution has the same force precisely with the other. As the resolution of 1838 was intended, not to violate the Society's fundamental law as to "faithful versions," but to indicate the Society's estimation of the English version, as suitable for circulation.-so the resolution of 1850 is no violation of the fundamental law, but a simple indication that the Society has not changed its mind as to the character of the English version. It regards it now as it did then, not as a perfect translation, but as one of substantial and distinguished merit, which has been, and remains yet, a safe guide to the knowledge of God's will, and worthy to be circulated among all that speak our tongue. It holds it in no superstitious veneration, but approves it as having borne the tests of time and criticism, as having been the solace of our individual hearts, the light of our homes, the statute book of our churches, and the glory of our civilization. It cleaves to it as the common bond of our English Christendom, an antidote to our tendencies to divergence and division, and a pledge of returning union among those who love Christ and revere his laws. For such reasons the Society adheres to the excellent common version,because it is excellent, because it is common. Nor in this does the Society set itself against the possibilities or possible necessities of the future. It may be among the designs of Providence to combine good men in the work of revision; there may be fruits of higher Biblical learning and higher spiritual religion yet to be bestowed upon the Church, which are to come to us in this form. All good men will accept such gifts with joy. If "God has new light to break forth from his Word," it will not be difficult to detect its presence. The sheep of Christ will hear Christ's voice. When that day comes, a day which many expect, which some long for, then this Society may adapt itself to the new developments of Providence. Circulating our present version for the reasons that it is excellent and common, it may take another when these same reasons apply to another; when another has passed the necessary tests; when it is approved as more excellent and equally received as common. This Society would neither anticipate the designs of Providence, nor refuse acquiescence in them as they are developed. It would take up and perform from day to day the work of practical benevolence; never engaging in questions which gender strife, but applying itself at all times diligently to the work of circulating the Scriptures more widely “in all lands,” on the principles.originally assumed. The Board believe this to be a work which a benevolent piety will best approve, and in this work they hope to see the Society blessed with the approbation of God.

In this view of the restrictive resolution of 1850, is to be found the true explanation of the resolution which accompanied it. That resolution was in these words:—

Whereas, by the Constitution of this Society, its object is "to aid in the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures in all lands," therefore,

Resolved, That it is not the province and duty of the American and Foreign Bible Society to attempt on their own part, o to procure from others, a revision of the commonly received English version of the Sacred Scriptures.

It is here recited that the business of this Society is to CIRCULATE the Scriptures. It is not, therefore, its duty to engage in translation, or in revision, which is virtually the same thing, unless the circumstances of particular cases require it, which, in the judgment of the Society, they do not in the case of the English Scriptures. In some cases it is necessary to translate in order to circulate. In such cases there can be no doubt of the Society's duty. But in the case of the English Scriptures,

man production, and bears the marks of human infirmity; and this would be true of any version which might be made. It is a translation of many and established excellences. Its merits place it above the reach of sweeping attacks, at the same time that its defects are the just subjects of Christian and scholarly criticism. It deals with the highest truths, and should be handled with solemn reverence. It is the treasured repository of the faith of millions, as it has been the guide to heaven of many more millions already departed in hope; and all changes of its language should be well considered, conceived and sustained in the spirit of meekness, and at the farthest possible remove from the censorship or interests of sects and parties. That the version will always endure in its present form, no man has the right to say; it may please God to open methods by which it shall be improved; and such manifestations of His will should command, and will receive, the acquiescence of His people. It is the interest of all to possess in the highest perfection the sacred oracles, and the duty of all to look with kindness and hope upon all true progress in Biblical translation. It would be a sad and reprehensible dereliction from principle and privilege to bind the world to present attainments in sacred learning, or to prohibit for ever the application of that learning to the state of our common version.

But supposing the time for attempted revisions of the common version of the Scriptures to have arrived, and that the Holy Spirit, from whom we have the inestimable gift of a divine revelation, is calling many hearts to the work, it may still be a question whether this Society should take up and carry forward such an undertaking. There are limitations to the duties and responsbilities of societies, as there are to the no such necessity exists. We have a version entirely suitable for circulation, and therefore circulation, and not translation, is our only duty in the premises. What is here intended may be illustrated, to a certain extent, by the case of the Burman version. Such a version is in existence, ready and waiting for circulation. Faultless it unquestionably is not, but it is, as a whole, faithful and approved. It is in the hands of wise and good men, who understand its merits and defects, and who, though anticipating revisions and improvements in future years, regard it as entirely suitable, under present circumstances, for distribution among the benighted and perishing. Now, in such a state of affairs, what is the duty of this Society? Turning to the Constitution, we find that its object is the “wider circulation” of the Scriptures, and is not circulation, therefore, in such cases, rather its duty than translation? The circumstances of the case do not require translation in order to circulation, and therefore translation is not the duty of the Society in the case of the Burman Scriptures. This is really the argument of the resolution under notice. The duty is the same here, and for precisely the same reason. * Under such circumstances, the practical work of giving the Word of God to the destitute is the urgent necessity and the only duty. This is the true significance of the preamble and resolution under notice. It has its force as a rule of administration in existing facts. It is not intended in any sense to be a departure from the principles of the Society, but to express the application of those principles to the line of duty in a particular case.-Periodical Paper, A. and F. B. S., October, 1850.

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duties and responsibilities of individuals. The great Commission itself is addressed to every disciple of Christ, and yet it is not the duty of every one to become a missionary. Each one is bound to bear such part in the work as in his circumstances may be within his power. This Society is by its Constitution bound "to aid in the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures in all lands." It assigns to itself not the whole of this work, but the duty of aiding in this work, and the practical sphere in which it shall operate is left to be determined by circumstances. In the nature of the case, it must leave many things undone. What it does it must do well, but it is neither within its power, nor its duty, nor its responsibility, to do all things which are embraced in giving the Bible to the world.

Thus, against this Society's engaging in the work of revising the English Scriptures, there are divers and strong objections. Its members are not agreed as to the duty, and would differ widely on the scope and character of the revision, if it were attempted. The attempt would wound the hearts of vast numbers scattered over the country, who regard the Society as under virtual pledges to bear no part in such a work. Their confidence lost to this Society would soon be lost to others, and a general injury to the cause of religion, of most painful character, would ensue. Besides this, there are among the best learned, whose learning entitles their opinions on such points to respect, the gravest doubts as to whether a Society whose business it is to circulate the Scriptures in our own language, could under any circumstances engage with propriety in the work of English revision. A Society engaging in this revision, and with circulation in view as the ultimate purpose, is in danger of anticipating the merits of its work, and of bringing the weight of its influence and authority to bear in circulating a version which, if left to the dispassionate judgment ofthe world, might be little esteemed. Such persons believe the revision of our version, whenever attempted, to be the proper work of a few Christian scholars, shut away from the din of controversy, in calm converse with the God of the Bible, supported in their work by the munificence of individuals, or of an association of individuals for that purpose only. Their work, when finally committed to the public judgment, say these persons, should be left, under the safe guidance of Divine Providence, to find its true position, and perform its allotted mission. If it should be indeed a better version, they maintain that it would work its way gradually into the ascendency, and that, when once it should have commanded general confidence, it might with all propriety be circulated by Bible Societies, according to the demand for it. Such persons refer to the manner in which our present received version came into the ascendency, as illustrating their views; for that version, say they, when prepared, was never enforced by authority, but was published side by side with earlier versions, until its merits had excluded all rivals, and won for itself the