NPR

Slave Bible From The 1800s Omitted Key Passages That Could Incite Rebellion

What's notable about this Bible is not just its rarity, but its contents, or rather the lack of certain contents — It excludes any portion of text that might inspire liberation or revolt.
Anthony Schmidt, associate curator of Bible and Religion in America at the museum, says the first instance of the abridged version of the Bible titled, <em>Parts of the Holy Bible, selected for the use of the Negro Slaves, in the British West-India Islands</em>, was published in 1807.

On display now at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., is a special exhibit centered on a rare Bible from the 1800s that was used by British missionaries to convert and educate slaves.

What's notable about this Bible is not just its rarity, but its content, or rather the lack of content. It excludes any portion of text that might inspire rebellion or liberation.

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