Samoan Bible History (3)

**List: Samoan Ministry

the Bible ( the Bible )
Samoan...
SAMOAN.

"THE Samoan or Navigators' Islands extend more than 200 miles from east to west, above and below
the 14th degree of south latitude, and between 169 and 173 degrees west longitude.   The largest of
these islands, called Savaii, or Pola, is smaller than Tahiti, but much larger than Tongataboo.   In
1840 the population of the entire group was said to be 150,000, but subsequent estimates reduce the
number to little more than a third of this amount.
   The Samoan differs from other Polynesian dialects in habitually substituting l for r and p for b.
The Feejee and Samoan are the only idioms of this stock in which the sibilant consonant is admitted.

   The religious system of the Samoans previous to the introduction of Christianity, though equally
gross, was less demoralising and cruel than that which obtained in the other islands of Polynesia.
They worshipped beasts, birds, fish, and creeping things rather than idols of wood and stone, and were
free from the domination of a powerful and crafty priesthood.   The translation of the Scriptures into
their language appears to have been undertaken in the first place by the Rev. John Williams, who
afterwards met his death in the island of Erromango, while attempting to plant the Gospel among the
fierce and sanguinary tribes of New Guinea.   Other mies. of the London My. Society
assisted in this translation; and after the lamented decease of Mr. Williams, the version was continued
and completed by them.   The translation was drawn from the original texts, but with constant
reference to the English, and frequent use of the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and other versions.
Much assistance was also derived from the Tahitian and other Polynesian versions.
   The plan pursued in the prosecution of this work was to allot a separate book to each translator.
On the completion of his particular portion, each translator availed himself of the criticism of the
natives, and then submitted his production to the private examination of the other mies.   After
time had been afforded to propose the requisite emendations, all the mies. met together, and
conjointly effected such corrections in the translation as were deemed necessary.   The work thus
cautiously conducted was slowly brought to completion.   An edition of 5000 copies of the Gospel of
St. John appeared in 1842.   This was followed in 1845 by an edition of 10,000 copies of the Gospel
of St. Luke, translated by Mr. Macdonald; and during the same year by an edition of 10,000 copies
of the Epistle to the Romans, translated by Mr. Heath.   The Acts were translated by Mr. Hardie;
and in 1846 the entire New Testament, including a revised translation of the Gospel of St. Matthew,
was completed at press.
   A revised copy of the New Testament was sent by the mies., in 1848, to England; and at
their urgent request 15,000 copies were printed in London, by the British and Foreign Bible Society,
under the supervision of the Rev. J. B. Stair, formerly my. in these islands.   This edition,
immediately on its completion, was sent to its distant destination.
   The translation of the Old Testament has since been accomplished by the persevering labours of
the mies., and the printing of the entire Scriptures in the Samoan language was completed in
1855.   We derive from a recent Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society the following
interesting particulars concerning this great work.   Previous to the completion of the New Testament
some progress had been made in the translation of the Old; and in 1848, an edition of 10,000 copies
of the Book of Psalms was put through the press, bound, and circulated.   In 1849, editions of 10,000
each, of the books of Genesis and Exodus, were printed; and in 1850, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy, were also printed in editions of 7,000 copies each.   The Pentateuch was then bound in
one volume.   In 1853, editions of 5,000 each of the Books from Joshua to 2nd Samuel inclusive were
printed; in 1854, the remaining Historical Books; and the whole were bound up in one volume,
forming the second volume of the Historical Books.
   In the same year, editions of 3,500 each of the Books of Solomon, the Lamentations, and the
Minor Prophets, were put through the press.   In the course of 1855, the remaining portions of the
work were finished, and the whole of both the Old and New Testaments had been printed.   The plan
adopted in translation has been to assign to individuals separate Books or portions for most careful
translation.   These portions have been further submitted to the criticisms of the other members of the
Samoan Mission, and finally revised for the press by a committee of not less than five, including the
translators; and then printed in every respect according to the decision of the committee.   "In the
Old Testament our translations have been made from the Hebrew Text sent out to us by the British
and Foreign Bible Society, and executed agreeably to the rules of the Society.   Our English authorized
version has been constantly before us, and adhered to as nearly as possible.   Constant reference has been
made to the Septuagint and Vulgate, and the best use made of the various Polynesian translations.
With regard to the lexicography, criticism and renderings of the sacred text, we have availed ourselves

of the labours of Rosenmüller, Gesenius, Lee, Ainsworth, Blayney, Henderson, Lowth, Dathe, Patrick,
Good, etc. etc.
   "These translations and revisions (concludes the language of the Report) have cost the members of
our Mission many years of patient thought and labour; and it is a cause of great and most devout
thankfulness to God, that some of us, who commenced the work on the Samoan group, and have from
the beginning taken a part in the translating of the sacred word into its language, have lived to be
engaged in it to its completion.   To the Great Head of the Church, who has enabled us to put this
invaluable boon into the hands of the Samoan people, be all the praise.""--The Bible of Every Land. (1860, Second Edition)   Samuel Bagster   [Info only:
No endorsement of the Greek Septuagint & Latin Vulgate texts implied.]

SAMOAN.--1860   S. Bagster   [Info only: n.d. John 1:1-14 unknown.]

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