The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-08-13
FOUND IN PERSIA.
An Ancient Life of Christ Found in an Old
Thibet Monastery.

Thibet Monastery.
\ new life of Jesus Christ has been dis
covered in a monastery of Thibet by
Russian traveller, and has just been trans
lated into French. This book of Jesus Christ,
reports The London Daily News, is held in
no less reverence by certain Buddhisu@
than the Big-Feda by the Brahmins. 1t IS
in the eyes Of the Iamas canonical book.
M. Nicholas Notovitch, travelling in Tibet,
heard in monastery that the BuddhlStS
knew and honored the prophet Issa. Certain
particulars of the life of Issa forced upon
him the conviction that this prophet was
Jesus Christ. lie inquired of the Lamas
where a history of his life was TO be found.
1t was TO be found in manuscript preserved
as sacred books in the mOnaStcrieS OF L1dak.
NJ NotoVitch went over the Ladak coun-
try, Viited The city OF Leh, and at length
stopped az a convent called Hcmis. There
he commenced negotiations for the manu-
script. lie sent presents TO the LaIna--a
watch, a thermometer, an alarm-but all
to no purpose Several days later AN ac-
cident brought him what his diplomacy had
failed ~ achieve. Riding in front ot Hemis
he broke his leg. lie was received H. The
convent and uurscd there.
One day tilv Lama Cl.nIe into Ills ,uOn
with two large volumes bound in paSte-
board, the leaves being turned yellow 10y
lapse of time. 1t was the life Of lssa, writ
ten in the Pail language. The Lama read
IL out verse by verse, M. NotOvltch taking
down his interpreters translation. The fol-
lowing is brief summary o. tnts trdnsla-
ton:
Issa was born in Israel. His parents
were poor people, belonging by birth TO a
family OF exalted p!ety which forsot its
former greatness on earth to magnify the
Creator and thank Him for the misforrunes
with which ne was pleased TO try them"
From his childhood ne preached the one
Cod On coming OF aSe az thirteen, m
stead OF marrying, according 70 custom, ne
fed from his fathers house and went with
merchants 10 Slhdh. AZ fourteen ne WAS
living among the Aryas lie visited jug
gernaut, Rejagriha and Benares, where he
learned 10 read ana understand the NedaS.
But one day he broke away from the
Brahmins lie denied the divine origin of
the Nedas aud the incarnation of Para
Erahma In Nishma the white nrissts
threatened his life. He took refuge with
the GoWtamideS learned fali ANA i'm six
months was initiated into the mysteries OF
pure Buddhism. Then he went westward,
preaching against idols In Persia ne OPP
posed the religion Of ZorOaster but he was
prosecuted by magicians, and fled. lie was
tWenty-nine years OF age when he returned
lie at once began to preach, but his pop
ularity alarmed POntius PLATE. The latter
summoned priests ana learned men TO try
lssa. rms tribunal examined lssa, and
pronounced him To be innocent Issa con
tinued to speak to the people. inculcatsng
obedience to caesar and respect for woman
kind but spies which Pilate had set to
watch him sent disquieting reports on the
enthusiasm of the multitude, and the gov
ernor fearing mutiny, caused Is~a to be
imprisoned, tortured and tried before the
sanhedrin with two thieves. False wit
nesses were bribed this time.
The governor then called the witness who
at the bidding Of his master, Plate, had
betrayed lssa. This man came and, speak
ing 10 lssa, said: Did YOU not claim to be
the king of Israel when you said that the
Lord Of heaven had sent you to prepare
His people," And Issa. having blessed him,
said: You shall be forgiven. because what
you say does not come from your heart"
Aud, turning to the governor, Issa said:
why humble your pride and teach your
interiors TO live in falsehood, since even
without that You are able TO condemn
innocent man At these words the gov
ernor fell into rage and ordered the death
OF lssa while he discharged the two thieves.
The Judges, having dolberated, said to
Ihate: We viii not take upon ourselves
the great sin of condemning an innocent
man and of abSolVing two thieves. a thing
contrary To- our laws. Do therefore, as you
please. Having thus spoken the priests
anu wise men went out and washed their
hands in a holy vessel, saving: 1--WE are
innocent OF the death of just man" Issa
a th me Two thieves We're cructied, but the
and EMMY - -