Bugis and Macassar Versions

Bugis And Macassar Versions Among the various dialects which prevail in the large island of Celebes are the Bugis and Macassar, which are spoken the most; indeed, the Bugis may be said to be the chief language of the people of Celebes. About 1810, the late Dr. Leyden, with the help of some learned natives, had' commenced a translation of the Scriptures into both these dialects, but he only lived to complete a version of the Gospel of St. Mark in each dialect. His MSS. were presented to the Calcutta Bible Committee, but were never printed. In 1840, Dr. B. F. Matthes, subdirector of the Mission-house at Rotterdam, was sent by the Netherlands Society to Celebes, to study these dialects, with a view of preparing versions of the Bible for these long- neglected people. In 1873 the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John, and the Acts of the Apostles were published in both dialects by the Netherlands Bible Society, and these are at present the only parts which are extant. See Bible of Every Land,. p. 374. (B. P.)