Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-11
TIE NEW BIBLICAL Manuscript.

discovery of remarkable value in eccles.
iastical circles has recently been given to the
world, IN tie shape OF a translation Of an
ancient Biblical manuscript, entitled, The
Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, - discov
cred in 1879, by one Philotheos Bryannios.
Metropolitan of Nichomcdia, in the Library
OF the Most Holy Scpulchrc in Fanar of
Constantnople. Several TRANSACTIONS have
appeared 10 this country, the latest
and most available being from the
press of Messrs Charles Scribner's
Sons Of New York. The finder OF the man.
uscnpt describes it as can octave volume,
written on parchment in cursive characters,
and consisting of one hundred and twenty
leaves containing Chrysostom's Synopsis of
the books of the Old ami New Testaments :;
the Epistle of Barnabas the two Epislles of
Clement; the Teaching of the Twelve Apos-
ties; the Epistle of Mary of Cassobelae to
Ignatus; and eight Epistles OF Ignatius."
TIE manuscript is dated A. d., 1856, and
the writer, with commcndable frankness,
signs him self. Leon, Notary and Sinner"
or the gennineness of The manuscript scholars
seem to be agreed, there being about it that
peculiar quality and favor which seem
10 place it above the imputation
of forgery. Tina, the original be
belongs as far back as the second century
possibly as carly as 100 A. D., is also
evident from both external and internal
proof
The work seems 10 have been originally
written for tue instruction OF catechumens
principally Jewish converts. 1t assumes
to be compendium of the teaching of the
Apostles, and Of our Lord himself, as to the
methods of correct life and conduct for
Christian disciple. There ore sixteen chap
Iers in all The first six of which treat of "the
two paths,' with the description of which the
first chapter begins;
There are two ways, one of life and one Of
death, ard wide difference between the two
ways.
The first four chapters treat of the way
OF life, and are composed of practical Chris
tlan precepts, many OF them expressed in
the words Of the New Testament. A few
pecuIiarities are to be noted. To the com.
mand, pray for your enemies" is added,
land fast for them that prosecute YOU"
blessed is he that giveth according TO the
commandment; for he is guiltess woe 10
him that takcth for if indeed one taketh
who hath need, he shall be guiltlcss but he
who hath no need shall give account, why he
took aud for what purpose, and coming I'M
der arrest shall be examined concerning
what he did, and shall not go out thence un-
I'll he pay the last farthing But it hath also
been SAID concerning this matter; Let thine
aims sweat in thy hands, until thou knowest
to whom thou she uldst give"
With chapter five begins the treatment of
the way Of death" Chapter six consists
OF warnings against entering that way. The
next twelve chapters are devoted, mainly, to
precepts with respect to the outward con-
duct. Chapter seventh deals with baptism
chapter eighth, with fasting; chapter ninth,
with the Eucharist chapters tenth, eleventh
and twelfth, with the duties of disciples TO-
ward religious teachers chapter thirteenth,
with the disposition of first fruits chapter
fourteenth, with the observance of the Lords
Day chapter fifteenth, with the method of
appointments of church officers; and chap.
Ter sixteenth closes the treatise with an In
junction to watchfulntss
The passage with regard to The mode Of
baptism has attracted good deal of atten-
ton, aad been very widely commented upon
by The religious press We quote the pas
sage referred to;
Now concerning baptism, thus baptize We
having FIRST uttered all these things, bap.ize
INTO the name of the Father, and Of the Son,
and Of TIE Holy Spirit, in running water
IuI 4 tlou hast not running water, baptize
Ia other water and II thou canst not Ia !,