Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-08
Old-Time Tampering With the New
Testament.

From ne Boston Herald.
Apapyrus manuscript containing part
of the text Of the New Testament, has
been discovered in an old collection at
Vienna, which promises to cause oonsid-
cradle discussion In the religious world.
The manuscript is but minute fragment,
measuring only about an inch and half
square, aud contains seven lines, having
100 words, of which nine cannot be deci-
phered. The writing is in Greek, and,
IRON the form OF the letters and the alb
breyiatiOns, the German scholars To whom
1t has been submitted are OF the opinion
that IL must have been written somewhere
between the first and the third century.
At least, tkis is the opinion of DR.. Ed
ward Harnark, editor of the IheOiOqiScbe
LfterdtUr ZeitUHg, Of Leipsc, and OF DR..
q. Blckell OF the University OF Inns
bruck. The former is fervent Roman
Catholic, distinguished for hls Greek
scholarship, while the latter has a Euro
pean reputation for his practical knowl-
edge Of matters OF this kind. These au-
thorities assert that the antiquity and
genuineness of the fragment are beyond
dispute, and that 1t is the earliest text of
the New Testament that has yet been dis
covered.
1t is curious that such an insignificant
piece Of manuscript should have an i'm
mense bearing upon scriptural eXegesis,
yet the chief feature i'm this Old version is
rather in what it omits than what il con-
tains. translation OF the fragment
shows IL to be an account OF the events
that took place after the Last Supper. 1t
read as follows, the numbers standing
for each line OF the manuscript. I. "But,
after supper, as they went out. ,. You
will all take Offense this night 3. Ac-
I 10 "a "a nj 4 rtsfl
shepherd, and the sheep viii be scattered.
4. Then Peter spake. 5. And If all, not 1.
d. He said to him. Z The cock SD all
crow twice, and before that thou shalt
deny me thrice" Now, this is, in many
respects similar 10 the version found IN
Matthew XVI, and Mark xiv, but with
this important difference. that in both OF
these two versions the words are 10 be
found: but after / am risen again |
( viii 70 before you into Galiiep." This last
statement is direct prophecy Of the res
direction OF the Saviour, and has ever
been held 10 be One OF the strongest proofs
Of our Lords foreknOwedge OF his resur-
rec ion. But II the antiquity aud genu-
ineness Of this manuscript can be Demon
strated beyond doubt, II would seem 10
imply that this assertion attributed 10 him
was an Interpolation made centuries after
the event for the purpose Of sustaining
The d0gmSs OF certain anuiont thcolOgians.
That after the Christian religion obtained
its ascendency, and IL became necessary
to define more closely the 70 mula of the
faith, interpretations were made TO the
sacred text, the researches of the last
halt century have abundantly proved.
But " IS not always eaBy 20 determine
what part OF the text is genuine and what
part spurious, for the data needed 20 form
comparisons have been. Ia "A large degree.
wanting. This little bic Of papyrus man
uscript, which has remained undisturbed
for centuries, Is likely 10 be submitted 10
searching criticism before the quallHca-
ton that II makes IN the accepted text OF
] the New Testament 10 admitted.