Tárogató, 1940-1941 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1940-09-01 / 3. szám

14

TÁROGATÓ

presented an English pulpit bible, and Rev. E. J. Salter, of the British and Foreign Society, a bible printed in the Cree syllabic invented by Mr. Evans.

Rev. Salter’s Speech.

Two honors are given to me tonight. One is to represent the British and Foreign Bible Society. This is a wonderful thing in itself, and the other is to make a present of a Bible translated into the Cree language. In 1822 the Bible Society had 3 depots in Western Canada. The first was at York Factory, another was at Cumberland House. The third was for the English speaking settlers at the Red River, which being interpreted into modern usuage spells Winnipeg.

For 136 years the Bible Society has been at work in Canada; the first translation made in any language being the Mohawk Indian; the last was the Copper River Esquimo language. Every language spoken by the Canadian Indians has now been made capable of conveying the truth of God’s Word to those who speak it, only Haida, Kwagute, Tukudh, Slave, Beaver, Chippewan, Chinook, Blackfoot, Iroquois, Maliseet, Micmac, Mohawk, Cree, Esquimo, etc. were all brought to a writing for the purpose of giving the Holy Scriptures to the people who spoke these languages. But, of all the work that has been done, we have before us here tonight a climax. I am sure you will all want to know how it came about that this wonderful Bible has been brought to this stage of perfection.

About the time the British and Foreign Bible Society was 100 years old, in 1904 correspondence was had with the Primate of Canada with the object of getting the existing Cree Scriptures revised and printed in a good type. A committee was formed whose names should not be forgotten, for they all knew the Cree language, and cheerfully gave of their time to the enterprise. Rev. Geo. Holmes of Athabaska; The Rt. Rev. Wm. Anderson of Moosonee, Rev. Gilbert Cook, Rev. Steiner, Rev. E. B. Glass and Archdeacon J. A. McKay formed themselves into a translational committee and began the work. They gave their vocations to the task,

but the work was very slow. So they each agreed to take a portion of the Bible and to return in a year with his M. S., but the work still did not progress, for after receiving the proofs from England, it took all the time to revise them instead of giving themselves to further translation work. It was finally decided to appoint one man to the work and Archdeacon McKay was selected to take all the M.S.S. and to go to England and make a new translation. The Bible Society placed him upon the regular staff and had a typewriter made in the Cree syllabics. For three winters he worked at it until on his 70th birthday, in the presence of the translational committee, he wrote the last word. The initial cost was £1350, but by the time the sheets were bound and plates made for future editions, the cost was $9.00 a volume. The type, liberated by the making of plates, was then sent to The Pas where Dr. McKay printed a newspaper called “The Truth.”

Every Indian language is now completed and, with gratitude to Almighty God, and in the Name of the British and Foreign Bible Society, I present to you this copy of the Cree Bible, lettered in gold “The United Church of Canada, Norway House.” This is the first public opportunity that the Society has had to do this, and this Bible represents the 49,352 copies of Bibles, Testaments and Portions printed by the Bible Society and it will be fit, that the Rev. E. W. Smith, D.D., Literary Superintendent of the Parent Society, is here to dedicate it for use in this Church.

To the Bible itself I want to say: “As I leave you here as a representative copy you represent far more than words can describe. You have come across the see to minister to our brethren the natives of this land; my prayer is, that this generation now growing up in this place may hear from you the message of salvation, of comfort and of direction, and may there-unto testify to the value of the truth you are placed here to convey.”

The bibles were handed to Dr. E,. W. Smith, International Secretary of the Bible Society, London, England, who dedicated them for the use in the church services.