The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-06

whose discovery or the COdec SmdulcuS was
the crown of his fame. After the narrative
of his rich discoveries of ancient Biblical Man
uscripts in the great libraries of Europe, which
had been hitherto lying in obscurity, and his
editorial labors in publishing them, tie writer
presents the following succinct, but very salts
factory account Of the celebrated COder Sin
aiticus, which, as also the COder Vaticanus,
is now published in fac Sin.ile. Why may not
our Theological Seminaries procure each a
copy? Who will make Union and Columbia
present of one?-ED. Cen. PRES.
HIS LABoRs-PERsoNAL APPEARANCE.
Commissioned by the Emperor of Rus
sia, Prof. Tischendorf undertook another
journey to the Orient January 9th, 1859,
visiting Egypt, Sinai, Jerusalem, the Cop,
tic Closters, Smyrna, Patmos, Constan-
tinople, Rome, etc. This journey was
rich in discoveries of numerous Biblical
manuscripts, among which was the now
celebrated Coder Ssnaiticus, universally
acknowledged to be the most ancient Bib
lical manuscript extant, the Coder Fat
-icaaaa1s- not-eAeeptod. -It-contains more
than one half of the Old Testament, and
the entire New Testament, together with
the episte of Barnabas and the Shepherd
of Hermas.
The results of his observations and dis
coveries he published in two volumes,
which were translated into English and
French, all of which, together with the
German. passed through several editions.
Alexander Won Humboldt was particular
ly lavish in his praises of this work and
of Tischendorfs discoveries.
The labor preparatory to the printing
in fac simile form of the Coder Sinaiticus
was immense. 1t was printed at the
personal expense of the Emperor of Rus
STA, in four volumes royal folio, bound in
cloth. This imperial edition is marvel.
ously beautiful and accurate fac simile
reproduction of the entire manuscript
1t is of the highest Importance both to
the Biblical critic and to the Christian
world generally, being the most ancient
record hitherto discovered of the text of
the apostles and of the Septuagint.-
The cost was immense. Only limited
number were printed all of which, with
the exception of few copies, were do
mated by the Russian Emperor to the diff
ferent universities and theological socie-
ties of Europe. The few copies now on
hand are for sale at Professor Tischen-
DORIS study. The price has been re-
duced from two hundred and seventy
Prussian thalers to one hundred and forty
thalers, or 500 60. There are but three
copies of this great work in America. l
would advise each of our Theological
Summaries and Colleges to purchase a
copy before they are all sold. These four
volumes, together with the appendix (of
the same size) and the Coder Vaticanus,
may be had for one hundred and ten dol
lars. If any should desire to purchase
it the writer of this will gladly and will
lingly assist, or give all desired informa-
ton. Surely our leading colleges should
have this work in their libraries.
Besides these labors, Tischendorf
caused the Pope to publish fac simile
edition of the Codex Vaticanus, to which
enterprise Prof. T. contributes no small
share of his time and attention, both per
sonally and by correspondence. Having
on a former occasion critically examined
the Codex Vaticanus, and afterward COM
pared it with the Codex Sinaitcus, he
found that the former was neither as old
nor complete as the latter Thus the
boast of the Popes that they possessed
in the Codex Vaticanus the oldest, COM
pletest, and most correct manuscript of
the Bible, has been proved by Tischen-
dorf to be premature. They are obliged
to give up their pretensions, and retire
crestfallen from the field of Biblical crit
icism. Once more they have been out
fanked by German Protestant profess
sor.
In addition to all the foregoing labors,
Professor Tischendorf is engaged in edi I
ing library of ancient manuscripts VI
der the title, Monumental Sacra Inedd
Nova Collectio. These manuscripts
discovered during bis visit to the pJ
libraries of Europe and the East,
prising fragments of different portion,
the Bible and of the Church fathei
This library, when complete, will &C
of eight large quarto volumes of
four to five hundred pages each, conf
ing the fac smiles of the manuscr
and the regular text-types. Four
umes have already appeared, and the
will soon follow. The price of each v5<
ume is sixteen Prussian thalers, GILL;
As only two hundred copies of each vol
ume are printed, those who desire to get
this work should apply early or they will
be disappointed, Applications may be