Tag: Entirely conformed to the manuscript

Entirely conformed to the manuscript

The printing was done at Smyrna, and with neatness and despatch, and the proofs were read there. But in every instance the last proof was sent to me, that I might see whether it were entirely conformed to the manuscript. This I have had for the most part to do alone, as my translator was much of the time in Greece for safety. When he was here, he examined the proof first, and I afterwards, but in no instance, even after he had read the proof, have I found one entirely correct. Accuracy is not in him, nor indeed in any other native I have found, except Bishop Dionysius. He was ‘remarkably accurate, and his services would have been to me invaluable in this respect, and would have saved me many, many months of hard labor; but it was not safe to bring him from Beyrout. A great deal of my time has all along been devoted to those niceties of the language, which it is the province of a native to attend to, and not of a foreigner.

I have done the best I could; but, with all my

The printing was done at Smyrna, and with neatness and despatch, and the proofs were read there. But in every instance the last proof was sent to me, that I might see whether it were entirely conformed to the manuscript. This I have had for the most part to do alone, as my translator was much of the time in Greece for safety. When he was here, he examined the proof first, and I afterwards, but in no instance, even after he had read the proof, have I found one entirely correct. Accuracy is not in him, nor indeed in any other native I have found, except Bishop Dionysius. He was ‘remarkably accurate, and his services would have been to me invaluable in this respect, and would have saved me many, many months of hard labor; but it was not safe to bring him from Beyrout. A great deal of my time has all along been devoted to those niceties of the language, which it is the province of a native to attend to, and not of a foreigner.

I have done the best I could; but, with all my attention to the subject, minor errors have doubtless crept in through inadvertence. Nor, to speak of the work in general, is it to be supposed that the meaning has in every instance been truly apprehended by us, or that the words used have in all cases been the most judiciously chosen to express what may have been rightly understood. All these things are but approximations towards what is required. We do what we can, and leave it for those who come after us to do better.

I would still suggest, however, though the suggestion might come with more grace from another, that translations which have once obtained, and which are not radically defective, had, like our own English Bible, better remain altogether untouched, than be too often meddled with, or be made to undergo more than partial changes. The history of translations in India is full of instruction on this subject.

Holy Ghost teacheth

And now may the blood of the everlasting covenant be sprinkled upon the book, upon those who have had any thing to do in preparing it, and upon all who shall read it! May it be made use of by the Holy Spirit in softening and sanctifying the hearts of men, and in bringing many sons and daughters unto glory! Already is God pouring out His Spirit upon this people, and your society is at the same time sending among them the very “ words which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” What a wonderful coincidence! what an encouraging fact!

Let it excite our gratitude, and awaken us to more prayer and faith. Tell your society that the blessings of many ready to perish will come upon them. Tell them “ not to be weary in well-doing; for in due season they shall reap, if they faint not.” Tell them not to wait for a vote of thanks, or for a formal expression of obligation and lasting gratitude, from this great community, — these hundreds of thousands the objects of their bounty; but in this respect to be “ perfect, even as their Father in heaven is perfect, who sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”