How to Investigate the Bible Authorized by the U.S. Congress and President

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Check the Bible which was known as "The Bible of the Revolution" as the first entire Holy Bible printed in America.

   They also call it "Uniform Title:
   Bible.
   
   English.
   
   Authorized.
   1782."During the Revolutionary War the British editions of the King James Version supply was cut off to the American colonies as the authorized English language Bibles in the United States. , He printed 10,000 copies and offered to sell one fourth of them to Congress to be given to soldiers, but this was never enacted., Aitken's Bible, published under Congressional patronage, was the first English language Bible published on the North American continent.
   
   The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments:
   Newly translated out of the Original Tongues.
   
   Philadelphia: printed and sold by R.
   
   Aitken, 1782
   - Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (116)"
   
   ,,, Rev.
   
   Gentlemen, Our knowledge of your piety and public spirit leads us without apology to recommend to your particular attention the edition of the holy scriptures publishing by Mr.
   
   Aitken.
   
   He undertook this expensive work at a time, when from the circumstances of the war, an English edition of the Bible could not be imported, nor any opinion formed how long the obstruction might continue.
   
   On this account particularly he deserves applause and encouragement.
   
   We therefore wish you, reverend gentlemen, to examine the execution of the work, and if approved, to give it the sanction of your judgment and the weight of your recommendation.
   
   We are with very great respect, your most obedient humble servants,"
   
   In behalf of a committee of Congress on Mr.
   
   Aitken's memorial.
   
   Rev.
   
   Dr.
   
   White and Rev.
   
   Mr.
   
   Duffield, chaplains of the United States in Congress assembled."
   
   Having selected and examined a variety of passages throughout the work, we are of opinion, that it is executed with great accuracy as to the sense, and with as few grammatical and typographical errors as could be expected in an undertaking of such magnitude.
   
   Being ourselves witnesses of the demand for this invaluable book, we rejoice in the present prospect of a supply, hoping that it will prove as advantageous as it is honorable to the gentleman, who has exerted himself to furnish it at the evident risk of private fortune.
   
   We are, gentlemen, your very respectful and humble servants," "(Signed) William White, George Duffield.
   
   Philadelphia, September 10,
   1782.
   
   Hon.
   
   James Duane, Esq. chairman, and the other hon. gentlemen of the committee of Congress on Mr.
   
   Aitken's memorial."
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   Step 2: Note it is called the "Aitken's Bible Endorsed by Congress" by the Library of Congress.

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   Step 3: Examine the fact the Congress authorized a loan of money to help the printing and distribution of this approved Bible to be made available to the public and printed by Robert Aitken in 1782.

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   Step 4: See here a Library of Congress image of the actual title page of this edition of the Bible.~ Read the Library of Congress Blurb: "Aitken published Congress's recommendation of September 1782 and related documents (Item 115) as an imprimatur on the two pages following his title page.

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   Step 5: Realize that it was not practical to import the English language Bible from England during the Revolutionary War and this was the only one ever approved

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   Step 6: authorized and recommended by the U.S. Congress and President.

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   Step 7: Read this Journal of the U.S. Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation with President John Hanson of Maryland the first president of the Confederation officiating:"The committee

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   Step 8: consisting of Mr. Duane

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   Step 9: Mr. McKean and Mr. Witherspoon

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    Step 10: to whom was referred a petition memorial of Robert Aitken

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    Step 11: printer

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    Step 12: dated 21 January

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    Step 13: respecting an edition of the holy scriptures

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    Step 14: Read the report of that committee:"report

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    Step 15: that Mr. Aitken has at a great expense now finished an American edition of the holy scriptures in English; that the committee have

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    Step 16: from time to time

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    Step 17: conferred with him attended to his progress in the work: that they also recommended it to the two chaplains of Congress to examine and give their opinion of the execution

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    Step 18: who have accordingly reported thereon:"

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    Step 19: Read this recommendation:"The recommendation and report being as follows: Philadelphia

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    Step 20: 1 September

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    Step 21: See that it was formalized:"(Signed) James Duane

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    Step 22: Chairman

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    Step 23: Philadelphia

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    Step 24: September 1st

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    Step 25: Read the second report continued in the Journal of Congress Philadelphia

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    Step 26: September 10th

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    Step 27: "REPORT: Gentlemen

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    Step 28: Agreeably to your desire

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    Step 29: we have paid attention to Mr. Robert Aitken's impression of the holy scriptures

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    Step 30: of the old and new testament.

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    Step 31: See that it was finalized as

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    Step 32: "Whereupon

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    Step 33: Resolved: That the United States in Congress assembled

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    Step 34: highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken

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    Step 35: as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an instance of the progress of arts in this country

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    Step 36: and being satisfied from the above report

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    Step 37: of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work

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    Step 38: they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States

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    Step 39: and hereby authorise him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think proper."

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