America 250 Semiquincentennial Bible Celebration

The 1860 Cherokee Bible, published by the American Bible Society, represents the first complete Bible translated into Cherokee. Efforts began in the early 1800s with translations by native Cherokees, culminating in this significant publication. Elias Boudinot played a crucial role, alongside other missionaries, in making this historical work possible.

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Today on celebrate the Bible, we’ll take a look at the first complete Bible translated into the Cherokee language.

I should mention that the photos had to be taken through glass, since I obtained this Cherokee Bible page from a museum, which was already matted and framed for display. So you might see reflections in the glass.

Also, if you are listening to this episode as a podcast, and would like to see these photos, you can do so by going to my WordPress site at celebratethebible250.com. If you don’t see the link to the story, just type “Cherokee” into the search box, and the result will come up.

This Cherokee Bible page on display today was printed in the year 1860 by the American Bible Society.

The American Bible Society was founded in the year 1816. By that time in America, over 130 Bible Societies had already been formed throughout 24 states. They didn’t have their own printing presses to print their own Bibles for distribution, so up until that time, they had to rely on the British and Foreign Bible Society to meet supply and demand.

They called for a unified organization with distribution, and the American Bible Society was formed, headquartered in New York City.

The first chairman was Elias Boudinot, a lawyer, statesman, and also a delegate to the Continental Congress. He also served as a Colonel in the Continental Army, and director of the United States Mint … of which he was appointed by George Washington.

Work on the Cherokee New Testament began in the early 1800s. The first round of translations were done by native Cherokees. These translations were then compiled by several missionaries such as Sam Worcester and our fore-mentioned Elias Boudinot.

Worcester and Boudinot continued working, and published the book of Acts in 1833, and the Gospel of John in 1838.

In 1860, the american bible society published a complete Cherokee bible, after combining several other partial translations made by others.

I was fortunate to be able to obtain a page from the first edition, complete with this museum display still intact.

There is quite a history behind the many Bibles translated into regional dialects, beginning with the Eliot Bible translated into the Algonquin language, and the first Bible printed in the Americas.

I have an episode dedicated to the Eliot Bible, and I will have a link to this previous episode below.

Now, it is obvious that there were no already-existing lead type in the Cherokee language. Many years before the printing and publication of the American Bible Society version of this Bible, a Cherokee silversmith named Sequoyah developed the 85 characters, which represented the sound of the words.

The Cherokee Council, along with Sequoyah designed the initial letterforms.

The press letterforms were cast by Samuel Worcester, a member and publisher for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He also helped establish the first printing press in the Cherokee nation.

The first Cherokee newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, was printed in 1828.

Also in the pre-ABS days, John Arch and David Brown, both of the Cherokee Nation, began the initial work of translating the New Testament during the 1820’s.

And, like many of my other episodes, the most detailed information is just a quick web search away, and I encourage you to explore that option to learn more about this fascinating Bible in American History.

So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas.

If you would like me to give a presentation at your church, school, gallery, or organization, please let me know.

My contact information is below.

The topic I cover is the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America.

Your group will not only learn about it. They will also see, on display, pages from the most significant Bibles in American history.

I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.

CONTACT (for presentation inquiries only please):

Available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.