American Bible Union’s Appeal for Prayer and Aid

The Millennial Harbinger printed the “American Bible Union’s Appeal for Prayer and Aid,” from New York, January, 1854. Below is an excerpt of that appeal (see pp. 147-48). The American Bible Union worked on and eventually produced a revised translation of the English Bible. (The American Bible Union dissolved in 1883. The complete Bible was not printed until 1913, by the American Baptist Publication Society.) Quite obviously they were not “King James Version Only.” In promoting their work in this appeal, the Bible Union refers their readers to fourteen Bible texts. The “King James Version Never” circle often claim that many of these texts (used below. e.g. Ps. 12:6; Mt. 4:4; 5:19, et al.) are not really about the Scriptures and only used in that way by “King James Version Only” proponents. Their use in this way by the American Bible Union “puts the lie to” that claim.

The prayers and the alms of the people of God should ascend together, as a memorial before him in so glorious and blessed an enterprise. We need pecuniary assistance. The balance in our treasury is low, and is decreasing. The expenditures for revision are much beseech all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, to consider the import of the following passages of sacred Scripture:

Deuteronomy iv. 2—Ye shall not add to the word that I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it.

Deuteronomy xxvii. 8—And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Deuteronomy xxix. 29—The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Psalm xii. 6—The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm cxix. 140—Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psalm cxxxviii. 2—Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Jeremiah xxiii. 28—He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.

Habakkuk ii. 2—Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Matthew iv. 4—Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew v. 19—Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.

Acts xx. 20—I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you.

Acts xx. 27—I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.

2 Timothy iii. 16—All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Revelation xxii. 18, 19—For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And, if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

In view of the obvious import of such expressions from the lips of Jehovah, and in consideration of the imperative duty thereby devolved upon those who love him, and wish to serve him, we ask them to pray for the divine guidance and blessing to be afforded to all our revisers, and to render prompt and cheerful assistance, by liberal contributions, for the prosecution of this holy enterprise.

On behalf of the Board, Spencer H. Cone, President.

Wm. H. Wvckoff, Corresponding Sec’y.