Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-03-28
WONDERFUL MANUSCRIPT.
Alleged History of Christ's Life
Between IL and 80 Years.


full manuscript alleged to have been
discovered by Russian traveller
in a buddhist monastery in
Thibet.
Some weeks since DR.. Talmage
spoke of his desire to visit this
monastery for the purpose of satis-
flying himself as to the contents of
this great pachment.
Other authorities less orthodox
have vaguely limited that there is
to be tremendous revelation of
the sources for Christianity.
Later ad7ices describe this
manuscript as a Life Of Christ. The
Story is that Russian traveller,
Nicolas Notovitch, had the mis-
fortue to break his leg, and was
carried to the Thibetan monastery
for treatment. It was during his
stay here that he heard of the
wonderful manuscript, and he
sought to purchase it. He found
that it WAS not for sale at any price
but an official of the monastery
read it to him, and he secured a
translation of it.
Every one who has given any
attention to the Biblical narratives
with reference to Jesus is aware
that the largest part of his life is
untouched. When 10 years of age
he disputed with the doctors in the
Temple. Then he went with st.
Joseph and his mother to Nazareth
"and was subject unto them" In
these few words is all the history
of His life from the age of II to
the beginning of His public min
istry, when He was about 30 years
of age. It is this period of his
life that the manuscript in Thibet
processes to cover. Jesus is alleged
to have gone to India at 19 years
of age and to have studied under
the Brahmas, but as process OF
time revolted against some of their
teachings he joined the Buddhists.
When % years of age, or just be-
fore the beginning of His public
ministry, He returned to Palestine.
The history of His subsequent
career is in some points identical
with accepted accounts, but in
others very different. The Roman
Governor, and not the Sanchdrim,
is made primarily responsible for
his death. The priests and wise
men refused to sanction His death,
and washed their hands of the
whole transaction.
The bearing of THIS alleged dis
covery is not far to seek. 1t is cal
culated to bolster up theory that
has many times been put forward
to answer the question, "Whence
has this man wisdom?" 1t has
been often maintained tnat the es-
sential teachings of Jesus had
been anticipated by Buddha Gen.
turies before our era. How Jesus
came into possession of these
teachings has, of course, been a
question of much difficulty with
those who maintain this view, but
the Pail manuscript makes the
matter perfectly plain. Jesus, &C
coraipg to this theory, was simply
the bearer of the wisdom of the
East to the less enlightened West.
It is the very fact that this man
uscript appears to "fll a long felt
want" of the enemies of Chris
rianity which renders the story of
the great discovery suspicious.
The manuscript is said to be
written in Pail, one of the Prakrit
group of Indian languages, which
succeeded the Sanskrit, but which,
like the Sanskrit, has long ceased
to be living language. Of the
sacred books of the Buddhists
some are in Sanskrit, others in
Pail. But both Sanskrit and Pail
have been closely studied by Orien-
tai scholars, and the production of
a work in Pail is no greater feat
for them than is the composition
Of Latin he1ameters by the schol-
ars of Europe and America. AS
yet we know scarcely anything of
this manuscript, except the synop-
sis of the translation of it's con-
tents. Before it can be regarded
as evidence worthy of any atten-
ton, the original manuscript mus;
pass the scrutiny of The best
Oriental scholars, and the evidence,