Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-12
APOSTOLIC MANUsCRIPT FOUND.

/ discovery of great interest and impor-
tance to students OF apostolic church history
is announced Philotheas Bryennois the
learned bishop of Nicomedia, has found
manuscripts Of the second century, which he
mas published in tho original Greek, with an
able dissertation on its origin and genuine
ness. Professor HarEack: the celebrated
German patristic scholar, who has trans
laied the more important parts OF the docu-
ment into German, accepts it rs genuine.
From advance sheets OF his translation the
Ind,pcRdeM gives u version IN English OF
Of chapters FII-NEI, which concern the
mode Of baptism, the administration Of The
Lords Supper, the reception OF apostles and.
prophets. tho choice Of bishops and deaccns,
and meetings for Worship.
The title Of the manuscript is Teaching
OF the Apostles" It's date has not been de
fnitely liked, but It's place is somewhere
between 100 and 100 It has been we'll
known by maine through references Of the
early fathers. Clement, OF Alexandria.
Euscbius, and Athanasius quote from it. and
il is mentioned in the "Stichometry OF
Neighbours" who places it between the
Gospel of Thomas and the Epistles Of Glenn
cnt, and makes it 10 consist Of 200 lines.
The length Of the Bryennois manuscript is
23O lines, or about that Of the Epistle to the
Galatians Its identity is therefore well
established.
The great value oi the discovery lies in |
the fact that it is the oldest document on |
church order which has come down 10 us,
and that it throws a flood Of light or the
character OF the worship, practice, and life |
of the apostolic churches. 1t is much older |
than the apostolic Constitutions, into the |
substance Of which part OF it enters, and |
il therefore Invests these writings, which,
thongl. received rs authority in the eastern.
have not been highly priced III the western
Church. with 4 new Interest. u bears a
similar relation 10 other ancient books, such
as The 'DiGaskalia' and the "Eptome."
1T is at least q century and q half older than |
the oldest parts Of the Constitutions" the |
seventh chapter Of which proves 10 have
been drawn from chapters Vll-AN1 OF
the manuscript, which are, however, en-
largcd and essentially modified i'll the latter |
work. Thus i'll the "Constitutions" the |
"prophet'; of tho manuscript appears as
priest" and the term "preshyters" Is III.
troduced, though it is not once mentioned |
in the earlier document. Other important
changes were also made IN the line OF dc
yelcpm1nt The discovery IL Il contrma-
ton to the theory Of Professor Harn&ck |
and others that Book VII. Of the "Consti- |
tutionsn and the "Eptone' were based on
some older work.
The interesting points i'll chapters VII
XVI, which are given in full English, are,
first. as relates 10 baptism. 1t directs that
haplisms be III Flowing water;' but If
neither flowing or still water, cold or warm,
be at hand, then sprinkle the head three
times with wafer in tho name of the Father,
Son, and HoIy Ghost. It does not init
mate whether tho baptism in flowing
water should be ny immersion or at1uson.
Those practicipg Urine ha ptism, as the Greek
Church and the Tunkers, will find warrant
for it in what is said about sprinkling. 2.
Tie directions concerning the eucharist are
Of the simplest character. There is no
PRAYER Of notwithstanding but the
giving Of thanks for the cup and the bread.
with the injunction that none but the bap-
tized should partake. There is some evil
icnce that n supper was ilrst eaten, ana
that the communion or eucharist came I'M
mediately after, rs is the custom among the
Tunkers 3. As to apostles, who are IN
variably referred to as wandering evangel-
lists and prophets. instructions are given
how they are 10 be received, and how they
NAV be distinguished as true or false. Those
VINO asked :iol money or tarried more than
three days, OF whose practice did not con-
form 10 their teachings, were to be regarded
as false prophets. ( Christians are enioin-
ed 70 gather themselves together on the
Lords Day and break bread and say thanks,
| after conic=sing their msdeeds and having
made peace with those with whom they
have been at odds This point will have an
interest for Seyenthday Christians. 5.
Choose for yourselves" says the fifteenth
chapter besides prophets bishops and dea-
cons, who are worthy of the Lord, gentle
and not misery, and upright and proven
men. for they perform also for you the SER
vice Of prophets and teachers; The bear
ING of this on the views of Stanley, Milman,
Lightfoot, and others as to the organization
cf the Apostolic church does not need to be
noiu;aG out. The discovered manuscript
can hardly fail to command wide attention.
Mr.. COUGH ON SILK HATs.-"It would be
no violation Of the commandment" said
-nrpf fn ", n