Whole Xo. 437.
Tarborough, (Edgecombe County, X. C.J Saturday, June 8, 1833.
Vol. IX No 4i.
The "North Carolina Free Press,"
' BV G&UKGE HOWARD,
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J3
From the New York Courier & Enquirer.
Falsification of the, Bible, In run
ning our eyes lately over some of the
public papers, we were struck with the
following notices of the Holy Scriptures,
to which we beg leave to call the serious
attention of those, whose peculiar duty
it is to guard the purity of that source,
from whence springs the faith of so large
a portion of mankind.
'A reverend gentleman in England,
named Curtis, has recently made some
appalling disclosures in relation to the
careless and iniquitous manner in which
the University editions of the Holy Bible,
published by the King's printer, are put
forth to the world, air. Curtis has ex
posed some enormous errors, and varia-
r .1 .
lions irom me original text, as given in
King James' time. Six hundred mis
takes' have been found in one book, and
eight hundred in another; many of them
most important, and all ot them inexcu
sable. Some of the grosser ones, which
seem to have been concerted and inten
tional, have been rife for forty years.
The true sense of Holy V nt, it is con
tended, has been greatly warped by
these errors; and measures are in train
to have them rectified, in all future edi
tions of the Scriptures published in Eng
land. It is stated that the churches in
America have long since adopted the edi
tion in question, as a standard; if so, it
is of the last importance, we should con
ceive, to import one of the correctest co
pies, now preparing, at the earliest peri
od. The writer remarks, with much
sorrowful feeling, that such perversions
of ihe Sacred Word have given rise to
more scoffers and infidels than could
have beeu otherwise produced by any
one cause.
curate, it nnt wiir.JI.. i . v
.....unjr laisiueu, to sanc
tion the peculiar tenets of the sects by
whom they are published. The com
mon people, who have in a great decree
lost their reverence and va!u forh,,
sacred book, from the usual effects of
too great plenty, receive it wiihout inqui
ry, though there is no security whatever
for .us accuracy, and no sanction of
Church or State to guard against inter
polation, corruption, or mistake.
Ihese things outht not "to hr t'i.m
Bible is too important n vnhimn tn L
left thus at the-; mercy of ignorance, care
lessuess, or wilful interested falsification.
It should come forth with the sanction nf
some high and responsible authority, and
carry with it evidence that it has under
gone the strict scrutiny of persons, whose
learning and integrity sufficiently guar
antee the public against deception and
falsehood. As it is now, we really see no
obstacle to publishing Bibles to suit any
system of morals or religion, and whose
precepts may outrage every principle of
the Uceulogue. Liviuu. as we do. under
i government which neither interferes,
nor allows of interference in religious
matters, it is, wiihout doubt, difficult, if
not impossible, to prevent impositions of
-1 - i .
tins Kino, since there is no law, that we
know of, to prevent a man from publish
ing any book he pleases, under the de
nomination of the Holy Bible. Still, the
ftvil we speak of is not the less to be de
plored; and we cannot but recommend it
most earnestly to the attention f all
those who would preserve the Scriptures
from degenerating by degrees into a
heterogeneous jumble of contradictory
and irreeoneileahle inconsistencies. The
Neve him to be a pious man, and that he
would not intentionally make the Scrip
tures ridiculous, by translating them in
to "euphemisms."
tt?Thc Agent appointed by the Sem
inole tribe of Indians, to explore the
country west of the Arkansas river, offer
ed to them by the provisional treaty with
our government, which was negotiated
by Col. Gadsden last spring, has re
lumed to Florida with a favourable re
port both of the climate and soil, and the
treaty has accordingly been formally
ratified by the tribe.
C7Tho Lexington (Ky) Gazette no
tices the exhibition, in that place, of Miss
Snyder, a young lady, about nineteen
years of age, who is regarded as one of
the greatest natural curiosities ever seen.
The lady has neither hands nor arms,
nor is there to be seen the least appear
ance of an arm! She has one leji and fool
complete, with the exception of the toes
being only bur instead of five. The other
leg has but one joint (that of the ankle)
and is only about half the length of the
first; the foot having on it, (like the oth
er) otdy four toes. She is 3 feet one
inch high, weighing 60 lbs. is in posses
ion of all her mental faculties, converses
very fluently on any subject, and is very
fond of engaging in conversation with
her visiters. She sows, knits, paints
cuts a variety of flowers, watch papers,
&c. and writes tolerable well with her
left foot;
GTTAt the late term of the Superior
Court of Mecklenburg county, the case
I Acr. Will;, Tl
V uu'll IIKII II llll.l ljlllUO 111 IIIIUIIII I II ' VI I II IIIIUIII VJi V- W ,1, O M. II VO . KillCllli
n
"It is announced that Dr. Noah Web
ster, the lexicographer, is engaged in pre
paring for publication an edition of the
Bible, in the common version, but with
amendments in the language, chiefly in
the following particulars:
1. The correction of errors in Gram
mar.
2. The omission of obsolete words and
phrases, and the substitution of equiva
lent terms now in use.
8. The use of euphemisms for such in
delicate words and phrases as are most
offensive, and which cannot be uttered
without pain, both to the reader and
hearer."
In regard to the falsifications and mis
takes of the Bible, noticed in the first
article, there is great reason to fear that
they extend far beyond the " University
editions published by the King's prin
ter." In die multiplicity of editions we
see every day palmed upon the world,
without any sanction or authority what
ever, by booksellers, and societies, and
denominations, and sects of all sorts,
where is the security that the text may
not be altered to suit the peculiar tenets
of each particular sect, or marred by the
carelessness or ignorance ot the publish
er! We have heard it asserted, and from
the hurried manner in which these Bi
bles are multiplied almost to infinity, we
believe it to be true, that many of the
common editions are scandalously inac
the two translations of the Catholic and
Projestant faiths, detract but little from
the divinity of the Scriptures: but the
eternal multiplication of these diff rences,
must, in the end, entirely destroy their
force and authority, and undermine the
very foundations of our faith. When it
is seen that they sanction the most oppo
site and incongruous opinions, and that
those who agree in nothing under heaven,
can find in the Scriptures authority for
all their differences, it cannot but happen
that reflecting minds will begin to doubt
the infallibility of an oracle so liable to
be misinterpreted.
But, if we have read the statement on
the authority of Mr. Curtis with pain,
we have viewed the notification of Dr.
Webster with indignation and contempt.
We look upon this project of dressing
up the Doric simplicity of the Bible in
all the.trurnpery of euphemisms,' as lit
tle less than impiety as an attempt to
strip the book of life of its very life its
beautiful simplicity its childlike uncon
sciousness of giving offence by calling
things by their right names, which gives
it such a character of unequalled grand
eur and purity. Does not Dr. Webster
know, that nothing is so well calculated
to call up an offensive image in tfce mind,
as that affected squeamishness under
which lasciviousness may be, and so ot
ten. is masked! Is he ignorant that offen
sive ideas may be as easily conveyed by
circumlocution or 'euphemisms, as !y
the plainest words'! Or that the truly del
icate and virtuous mind revolts ten times
more indignantly at the one than the
other, because the former is an attempt
to cheat it into toleration by artifice and
disguise, while the latter comes in the
garb of simple truth at least! What should
we think of Dr. Webster dessing up
Moses and the Prophets in the costume
of a dandy of the present day, or decora
ting Sarah, Rebecca, and Esther, in the
multifarious trumpery of a modern fine
lady! Yet this would not be more su
premely ridiculous, and not half so mis
chievous, as reforming tie ouupiu. ...
for slander, was tried, and a verdict of
2,000 dollars damages rendered in favor
of the plaintiff. There was also anoth
er case for slander and one for breach of
marriage contract; in which verdicts were
rendered for 500 dollars each.
Execution. Charles Stokes, the crim
inn! who was condemned to be hung at
the late Superior Court of Surry County,
on Friday, the 5th of April, and respited
by the Governor fill the 17th of May, was
executed on that day, at Uockford, 'Sur
ry County.
We are much gratified to learn, from
Judge E, that the Commissioners h;ve
succeeded in bringing about a settlement
of the differ tie es (though not of a serious
nature) that have existed for a long time
between the Cherokees and Creeks rela
tive to boundaries. It has been arranged
to the satisfaction of both parties.
An arrangement has also been made
with the Creeks, for a portion of their
ands for the future residence of the Sem-
inoles of Florida, who will form a sepa
rate band of the Creek nation. It is ex
pected that the latter trjbe will com
mence removing next autumn.
At the late Council with the Osages a
majority of the nation were in favor of
the I reaty proposed by the Commission
ers, but as it was likely to produce dissat-
islaction on the part of the balance of
the nation it was deemed advisable to de
fer the Treaty until fall, when another
Council will be held, at which ihe com
missioners anticipate no difficulty in
effecting a treaty to the satisfaction of all
parties, l he object is, to purchase a
portion of the Osage lands, and remove
them some one or two hundred miles
North West of their present location, and
thereby make room for other Indians
which the Government designs remov
ing to the West.
Gov. Stokes and Mr. Schermerhorn,
the other two Commissioners, will pro
ceed shortly towards ihe Missouri river,
for the purpose of holding Councils and
making treaties with some of the Indians
in that quarter; and in August or Septem
ber next, the three Commissioners will,
rendezvous at Fort Gibson, and proceed
to the West, under an escort of U. S.
Rangers, for ihe purpose of holding
Councils with the Pawnee, Camancee,
and other roving tribes toward the Rocky
Mountains, between whom and some of
the tribes in the more immediate vicinity
of our frontiers, continued wars have ex
isted almost from time irnni' mortal.
All the tribes with which the commis
sioners have had intercourse, appeared to
be friendly towards the United States,
ind desirous of cultivating, a good un
derstanding with our Government.
Arkansas Gaz.
i i " ,.r .u..
t ttiphnmiinus. artificial rneionc oi m
K..r WIU jrwu'J' I
present day
We beseech the Doctoi
to s
stick to his spelling books and diction-
aries, and let tuo Bible alone. We be-
Fanaticism. Instances of insanity,
and even of death, from overwrought re
ligious excitement are becoming daily
more frequent. This is to be regretted.
Religion should bring to the mind tran
quillity, peace, and happiness, not excite
ment and madness. Temperaments too
susceptible of excitement should not be
so tampered with as to unsettle the rea
son, or sap the springs of existence.
The Union County (la.) Star, gives an
account of a gentlemen ' in Connelsville,
in that State, who was wrought upon by
some friends to such a degree that he
went raving mad. Physicians were sent
for, and every means used, but in vain,
for his recovery. The gentleman is
spoken of in high terms of praise, and ihe
loss to society, and to nis iamny, ieei
ingly lamented. Phil. Times.
Militia Laic The ' Boston Atlas al
leges that a bill establishing a uniform
militia system throughout the United
SfHtfis. has been drawn up by a member
of the Massachusetts Delegation, in ac
cordance with the wishes of the Secreta
ry of War. The bill will probably be
submitted to the next Congress.
Little Rock, April 24. Judge Ells
worth, one of the U. S. Commissioners
for settling differences, &c. among the
Indian tribes in the West, passed down
on the steam boat Wyoming, last week
from Fort Gibson; on his way to Wash
ington City, and thence to Connecticut
from whence, we understand, he designs
returning to Fort Gibson in Sept, next,
with his lady.
COne of the Editors of the Portland
Advertiser writes, while on his Way from
New Orleans to Ohio, that the cholera
exists on board almost every boat upon
the Mississippi. Several of the passen
gers were attacked on board ihe boat in
which he took passage, of whom two had
died one a captain in the army.
ft? A Mons. Gaubvrt n professor of
Magic, is astonishing ihe good people of
New York. Ihe Courier and Enquirer
mentions the following as one of his
feats: A cage, containing some half a
dozen small birds, alive and hopping, was
exhibited to the spectators; H was then
placed on a table, and fired at with a pis
tol charged with fine shot every bird
fell dead. A cooking apparatus was then
produced rfire placed under it and the
dead birds thrown into the seething pan;
when they were, as was believed, suffi
ciently cooked, the cover was removed,
and behold, instead of a frieasee, and
apparently to the utter amazement of the
cook, forth from the boiling mess, to
different parts of the Saloon flew, again
alive and full feathered, the flock of little
birds.
0T7A black woman in Washington
City some years ago married a slave, and
by her own industry purchased her hus
band's freedom. She became intemper
ate, and in order to procure the means
of getting liquor, she sold her husband
into slavery, and for the same purpose,
has since sold her four children also.
r?"Do you take a newspaper, neigh
bor!" " Yes." "Which one!" "Egad!
Jtake all 1 can lay my hands on.