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Advantages of the System pursued in

effecting the Translations.

This idea will be strengthened when we consider, that, in these succeeding Versions, the object of examination was almost solely the accurate rendering of each passage; it being evident, that, however wide of the actual meaning a sensible Pundit might be who made the rough draft for examination, he could not pen a line without doing it in the construction and idiomatic phraseology of the language, with which he had been familiar from his earliest infancy. Of this any one may convince himself, by only reflecting, that were a Native of Britain, thoroughly acquainted with English and imperfectly so with French, to attempt translating a FrenchWork into English, he might probably make some mistakes in the meaning of his French Author; unless he had a person by him, to consult from time to time, thoroughly acquainted with his meaning: but, of course, the language of what he thus translated would be perfectly English, in its construction and idiom. On the other hand, were a Native of France, thoroughly acquainted with the same author and imperfectly skilled in English, to undertake to clothe him in an ENGLISH dress, his knowledge of his author would not prevent his blundering in his English construction, possibly in every sentence. The difference between the two translations, therefore, would be, that, although the English Translator, imperfectly acquainted with his French Author, might have mistaken his meaning perhaps once or twice in a page, his translation, where he had not, would be perspicuous, spirited, and perfectly English in its construction; while the French Translator's English Version of him would be so bald and stiff in its construction, if not so inadequate in its 'meaning, that it would be little more than the shadow of his original. Such is really the difference between a sensible and learned Native's sitting down with a person perfectly acquainted with his text, to make a rough draft of his author for examination in his own vernacular tongue, and a person's doing it to whom the idiom and construction, as well as the words which compose the language, are altogether foreign.

It will also strike the reflecting mind, that the ease with which the remaining part of any language can be acquired, when three-fourths of the words are previously understood as well as the

idiom and construction, must be great indeed. When this is effected, however, the Translator and his Native Assistant are quite at home together; and the knowledge which the one possesses of the text, and the other of the niceties of his own vernacular idiom, are rendered mutually available till each be put in possession of both-the Native Assistant ultimately gaining a clear idea of the meaning of the original work, and the Translator becoming at length critically acquainted with the niceties of the language in which the version is given.

Nor can it escape notice, that the advantage of employing at once eighteen or twenty Pundits, most of them ac quainted with Sanscrit, and all of them with several of the cognate languages of India beside their own, will by no means appear trifling, when considered in its influence on the accuracy of the translation. Among these cognate languages which they understood beside their own, was always the Bengalee or the Hindee; which enabled them, from the beginning, to converse with one another and with the European Translator, in the readiest manner. This not only enabled each of them to read, with ease, that Version of the New Testament, which he chiefly used in preparing his rough draft for examination; but it gave them an opportunity of consulting one another relative to any passage or phrase, the meaning of which they might not fully comprehend. It must be obvious, too, that as among the number of Pundits thus constantly sitting together to examine the literal meaning of the Scriptures, three or four have had many years' experience in works of this nature, these could not be without their value. When to this is added the examination of each sentence with the European Translator acquainted with the real text, at which every one of these Pundits must have been individually present, and present, alone; it must almost of necessity follow, that the advantages afforded for a correct Version through a number of Pundits thus conferring together and mutually assisting one another, must be greater than those which can be enjoyed by any person wholly new to the work, who may have to begin with any one of the cognate languages of India.

Such an assemblage of Pundits, learned in the various languages of India,

1823.]

INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES.

afforded also advantages for ascertaining the correctness of Versions when made, which are not easily met with elsewhere. Each of those, who carefully perused another Version for the sake of ascertaining the exact meaning of every passage, became a more unexceptionable witness to its accuracy or its incorrectness, than any Native can possibly be who cursorily examines only a few passages: while the latter can do little more than testify to the correctness of the idiom and the general perspicuity of the language, the Pundit, after spending month after month in examining it in order to obtain the literal meaning of each sentence for practical purposes, is a voucher for the accuracy of the rendering in a way that no Native beside can be, till he become acquainted with the original text, or at least obtain a very thorough know ledge of the Scriptures in some other

way.

As it is impossible that any one of these Pundits could guess beforehand what sense the European Translator might wish him to find in the Version which he examines (for this would have been equivalent to guessing, in nearly every instance, the exact meaning of the Original,) it must follow that the meaning which he brought out of each passage and expressed in his own rough draft, was precisely the meaning that he found in that Version; and this, brought to the European Translator, enabled him at once to judge of the merits of the Version thus examined. This may be illustrated by an example.

The Bengalee Version of the New Testament being the first that was finished, when the Orissa Pundit commenced his labours, some years after, as he understood Bengalee nearly as well as his own vernacular tongue, he of course took the Bengalee Version to assist him in making his own rough draft for examination. This, brought to Dr. Carey, enabled him at once to see how far he himself had given the exact meaning of the Original in the Bengalee Version, and wherein he had failed. This not only assisted him in rectifying the mistakes in that Version, but enabled him to discern what mistakes were chiefly to be guarded against in future Versions of the Scriptures. Hence, when several of these Pundits have reciprocally read different Ver

493

sions, and in this way have given undoubted proof of the sense in which they understand them, this has carried more conviction to the mind respecting their accuracy when the sense given has agreed with our own idea of the meaning discerning those passages which had been of these passages, and assisted us more in inadequately rendered, than all the other helps that we have as yet been able to obtain, either from other Natives or Europeans.

occupied from seven to twelve years, in And as each Version has its formation and its passage through been wanting to enable us to make up the press, neither time nor means have each, long before it has been sent into our own minds respecting the merits of circulation. We are ready to indulge the hope, therefore, that, although all first each of these already named is sufVersions must necessarily be imperfect, ficiently accurate and perspicuous to means of salvation, as well as the Benbecome, under the Divine Blessing, the galee, Sanscrit, and Hindee Versions, which God has been pleased already thus to honour. But while we have this hope, we deem it important to SECOND editions of these Versions, to obtain from every quarter that we are able, the opinions both of other Natives and possible, critical remarks on particular of Europeans respecting them; and, if passages.

Testimonies of Learned Natives to the
Translations.

On Twenty of the Versions which had been wholly or in part executed, the Testimonies of Learned Natives had been obtained before the Report went to press, and are printed therein. In all the cases the approbation is explicit; and, in nearly all it is declared, that the respective Versions will be universally intelligible to the people for whom they are designed.

State of the Versions of the Old Tes

tament.

Bengalce: second edition advanced to 1 Sam. xx.

Sanscrit: second edition advanced to Exod. xxxi.

Orissa: first edition finished at press in 1819.

*

Mahratta: first edition printed off in

1890.

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Chinese: finished at press April 1822.

Sikh: Pentateuch and Historical Books printed; Prophetic printed to Jer. xiii.

Assamee: Pentateuch finished; Historical Books begun.

Pushtoo, or Afghan: Pentateuch advanced to Deut. xxx.

Kashmeer: Pentateuch advanced to Gen. xxxvi.

Telinga Pentateuch printed; and the Version resigned to the Madras Bible Society.

Completion, & future Supply, by Moveable

Types, of the Chinese Scriptures.

After sixteen years of unremitting labour we have been enabled, through the good hand of our God upon us, to redeem our pledge to the Christian Public, by presenting them with A CHINESE BIBLE Complete.

This

As the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark were printed about twelve years ago with wood blocks in the Chinese manner, and that of St. John eight years ago with our largest metallic moveable characters, we have, since finishing the Old Testament at press, printed a second edition of these Gospels with the same moveable characters in which the rest of the Scriptures are printed. appearing a favourable opportunity for such a revision, we compared these Gospels anew with the Original Text, and also with our esteemed friend Dr. Morrison's Version; and, although we do not presume that these Gospels yet perfectly accord with the Original Text, we are ready to hope, that this edition of them is brought somewhat nearer to it than any one which has before appeared. As leisure may be afforded, we are about to adopt the same course with the remainder of the New Testament.

It may not be improper to mention, that this edition's being brought into so little room is favourable to its distribution. As the metallic moveable characters have the strokes finer than wood can possibly sustain, while they are superior in legibility and neatness, somewhat more than thrice the portion of letter-press comes into the same octavo page; and as their superior delicacy admits of printing on both sides of the page with as much neatness as in English, the whole occupies about a SEVENTH part of the number of leaves contained in the octavo edition now lying by us, printed with wood blocks in

China. The whole New Testament is comprised in one volume, of 190 leaves, or 380 octavo pages; and the whole Scriptures in Chinese, including the Old and New Testament, do not amount to quite a fourth more than the number of pages contained in a large octavo English Bible.

These metallic moveable types also possess some advantage, in not requiring paper of a peculiar thinness or fineness, like printing on wood: the most common paper answers the purpose perfectly well. The paper used in this edition of the Scriptures has been chiefly the common paper, brought in such quantities to the Calcutta Market, in the Chinese Ships, from year to year: and, as these metallic characters are still so much larger than the largest English types generally used in printing, the printing on this common paper is more clear and legible than English printing would be on the same paper. In their own nature, these circumstances are too trifling to be mentioned; but, when connected with the cause of Christian Beneficence, in the distribution of the Sacred Scriptures throughout this vast empire and among the multitudes of Chinese found in various parts of Eastern Asia, every thing acquires a certain degree of importance which can tend to reduce the expense, to increase the facility of distribution, or to recommend the Scriptures to more general perusal ; which must form our apology for touching on things, in their own nature so minute and trivial.

As the vast extent of country, through which the Chinese Scriptures will be finally circulated, renders their correctness a matter of peculiar importance, we are about to examine and correct the Pentateuch for a second edition; with the view of thus proceeding, by degrees, through the whole of the Old Testament, as well as the New. This, however, requires time; as a work of this nature cannot be hurried to advantage. In thus doing, we shall feel grateful for observations on any part either of the Old or the New Testament, from any quarter whatever: and those friends will lay us under peculiar obligations, who descend to particulars, and state the grounds on which an amendment is proposed in any particular passage; as it is from these, chiefly, that real advantage can be derived-general censure or commendation doing little

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toward the real improvement of any Version.

The work of giving successive editions of both the New and the Old Testament in Chinese is now rendered easy, by the preparation of nearly all the metallic moveable characters. The expense of these for the first edition of the Whole Scriptures was great, compared with the small expense of successive editions: yet it has been little more than that of the first Bengalee Edition of the Scrip

tures.

We think that about 30001. must have covered the expense of printing this first edition of the Old and New Testament, containing from 1600 to 3000 copies: and we have reason to believe that successive editions of the New Testament, containing even 5000 copies, will not exceed 600l. sterling; and that a new and improved edition of the Whole Scriptures, containing 5000 copies, may be fully met by 25001., including every new character which may be required by successive improvements of the Version. Beyond 5000 copies in one edition, either of the Old Testament or the New, it will be scarcely necessary to go; at least till this number of copies be required almost in one year: so long as such a number may occupy four or five years in distribution, such is the superior ease of composing and correcting a page formed with the moveable characters, from their being so much larger and fewer than the types in a page of English letter-press, that, when to this we add the cheapness of labour in Bengal, the interest of the money required for the outlay of the extra 5000 in an edition of 10,000 copies, would fully defray the expense of composing the other edition, were the 10,000 divided into two editions. Thus, for many years to come probably, successive and of course improved editions of 5000 copies each will be quite as economical, as 10,000 or even 20,000 copies given in one edition.

Want of more Ample Funds.

To the state of the General Fund, we now intreat permission to call the public attention; as upon it are now lying four translations of the Old Testament still going forward; and the second editions of the Old Testament and those of the New, which circumstances render highly necessary. This Fund

has been so low, that we have been constrained to lay aside the translation of the Old Testament in most of the languages, till some future and more favourable opportunity.

The expense of the First Versions of the New Testament we do not mention here; because the generous liberality of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in pledging themselves for the payment of 500l. toward defraying the expense of printing 1000 copies of each, in pursuance of the plan begun by the late excellent Mr. Hey, has relieved us from all anxiety respecting them. They have done far more. They have been our best support relative to the General Fund for Translations: for, in addition to the sums which they have voted for the First Versions, they have been pleased, in the past year, to vote 20007. in aid of the General Fund; which has, in fact, kept us from absolutely sinking, while striving to carry forward these editions.

The balance against this Fund, at the present moment, exceeds 10,000 rupees.

We have reason to hope, however, that if the second and succeeding editions of the Scriptures, in those languages wherein the diffusion of light around so imperiously requires them, be once brought through the press, they will form a supply for some years to come, or at least not soon be all required at exactly the same time. It is true that the greater part of Eastern Asia will be still without the Old Testament, and a considerable part still without the New; but the generous aid of the public in the next two or three years, will then have given the New Testament to nearly every province of India in its own dialect, and the Old Testament in those most extensive and important.

In the full confidence, therefore, that He will not forsake His own work, the Serampore Missionaries desire to acknowledge their obligations to the God of all Grace, for His boundless goodness to them in this work hitherto; and to the Friends of Religion everywhere, and especially to the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the generous support afforded them even from the beginning, intreating their supplications on their behalf, as long as it shall please God to continue them in this work.

Ceylon.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A

lous stories, are held in high estimation; and every thing, however absurd, is held in the most sacred veneration. translation of a passage from one of their books, which I had, a short time ago, for my lesson in Cingalese, will sufficiently illustrate what I say. Buddhism commands abstinence from five particular sins-the killing of animals, In allusion to these commands, it is lying, adultery, theft, and drunkenness. said

FROM the Society's Missionaries who are labouring among the two great divisions of the Natives of Ceylon, the Cingalese and the Tamulians, various communications have been received, which throw light on the state of the people and the prospects of the Missionaries among them. We shall collect these under their respective heads.

Some Account of Buddhism. Mr. Ward, stationed at Baddagamme, near Galle, writes

There is a vast difference between the views which I had of Heathenism before I left England, and those which I have formed on the spot. It is true, we have none of those enormities in this Island, which are witnessed on the continent of India. The self-devoted

victim, or the burning of women, or the murder of infants, are cruelties, which,

thank God, are never heard of in Ceylon. The system which prevails among the Cingalese is more mild in its nature, but not less destructive in its tendency. Buddhism is a system of Atheism. It acknowledges no Supreme God-no Creator. Chance is its God-its Governor -its Judge! Transmigration is a favourite doctrine in Buddhism: by this they pretend to explain why it is that one is poor and another rich: poverty and afflictions are attributed to some sin committed in a former state of existence. This notion seems to be interwoven into the very constitution of the Buddhist's mind; and it will be the very last thing that he will relinquish.

The Buddhist Priests are very numerous : a few of them are held in high estimation by the people; but the generality of them, being very poor and ignorant, have little or no influence. They all live by begging; and it is thought a most meritorious work to give alms to the Priests. Their dress is a yellow cotton cloth-the wealthiest have yellow silk-which is wound round the body, and thrown over the left shoulder. Their ancient writings, though they abound in the most childish and ridicu

If it is inquired what profit will arise to him who keeps the first of these commandwhere he shall be born (that is, in a future ments, this is the answer: In the place state of existence-alluding to the notion of Transmigration) he shall have a full body, with an equal stature and a good disposition: his body will be tender, and soft, and clean, and he shall have great strength. His attendants shall be faithful; and he shall not be afraid of any one. He shall not be subject to any one; nor shall he be killed. He will have innumerable attendants. He shall

have no sickness or sorrow. He will love the people of the world, and he shall not be separated from those who love him; and, lastly, he shall have a long life.

Mr. Mayor, Mr. Ward's fellowlabourer, states that he has met with many surprising instances of blindness and delusion among this people. He relates the following

A Priest came to me, from a temple in the Kandian Territory, wishing to consult me about his health. He had in his hand a long cane-walking-stick, with a large ivory top. I had the curiosity to examine it; and found that the top unscrewed, and that, within it, there was contrived a little box, in which two small pills had been deposited. Upon inquiry, the Priest, informed me, that these pills were kept in the box as a preservative against the attacks of elephants. I asked how these pills could possibly act as a defence against the attacks of so powerful an animal-was there any thing peculiar in the smell of the drug to prevent the approach of the elephant?-or did it, in any way, hinder the elephant from seeing him on his journey? No: he said it did not act in this way; but, while he walked with this stick, he could pursue his journey through the jungle in safety, and no animal would molest him! In vain did I endeavour to point out the folly of trusting in such delusions, and labour to convince him that the Almighty Creator was the safest defence

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