The age-herald., 1897-09-17
TECHNICS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

GAL AiAltAN NdiO tile fSHBlUuS hOitd ID startled by the announcement that rich discoveries have been made in unexpect- ed places of old and hitherto unsuspect- ed parchmants which throw further light upon the accepted Bible. Such is again the case, and Biblical experts are now busily engaged exsrnfnlng certain an- ciene documents that have been recent ly brought to lighe by Dr. S. Schechter, a man famous for his scholarly attain ments and as an authority on Biblical research. pr, Sehechter had reason to believe that untold literary wealth in the form of fragments of Jewish writings aWa1,ed him in a Genizah at Cairo, Egypt, and th4ther he went several months ago on tour of investigation.
 
 The Genizah as explained by the sa- want, is a place-as applied to books where old, unused documents ard vol unpes are stored for safe keeping. For centuries they have been the receptacles of sacred wrpings, as well as other books which are cons.dered as prstentious and unworthy, and wanting in the quahfi- cation of having been inspired by divine power. Tn the Genizah are also kept writings relating to Jewish history; en- tracts, leases and other legal documents. The Jews were unwilling to destroy anything of a Seriptural nature. So, naturally, as the years went by, all such fragmentary literature was consigned to the Genizah for safe keeping.
 Dr. Schechter was duly impressed with tho belief that at the Genizah near Cairo, Egypt, he would discover many papers which would strengthen history as contained in the St. James edition of the Bible, and possibly lthrow addf- tional light upon many debated points The authorities of the University of Cambridge warmly indorsed pr. Schech- teTs plan, and his subsequent discov- cries have added greatly to the library of that old instb. b.ution. The rabbi of the synagogue at Cairo accompanied pr. Schechter to the Genizah and rendered him all possible assistance in his inves- tigaition of the ancient documents. In the Genizah, books, manuscripts and parchment leaves which had been accu- mulatfng for a thousand years, were scattered in confusion about the sacred 
 tained Dr. Schechter and he was re- warded by securing forty thousand fragments which he safely carried back with him to England. These are now being carefully examined by Biblical ex- ports at the University of Cambridge. These old writings are of the utmost inn ponsance to the student of Jewish tradi- ton, as the autograph documents dis T. Tn z-l.o xtor xI=n nearly seven hundred years, from the eighth to the fourteenth centuries. The theologian and historian will alike be benefited by the examina;,ori now going on at the Cambridge university.
 
 Charles Dudley Warner has been writ ing fiuently and feIicitously of person. ality, theme of intense interest 10 all students of human nature. The charm ing -essa IS of Warner always set i,e reader to .eri)ls thinking, and opsn up chain of reasoning that is not exciting enough Ito be fatiguing in this September warmth. In discussing personality, one who Is a reader of the daily press, irrespective of political tenets and affiliations must be impress ed with the effect of the personality of Vim. J. Bryan, upon American thought, and expression Although a warmly contested political campaign is behind us and ths people have so rss.gnedly ac- cepted the result, Wm. Bryan, the de- feated candidate, is as potent factor in every day happenings as any man could be who is without the ability to reward or punish His nams as frequently ap- pears in the newspapers of all creeds as that of his successful rival who holds the highest political office in the world This is the more remarkable when it is observed that the journals which write of Mr Bryan oftsnest are those most opposed to him and d1is policies, ard which have pronounced him dead is- sue" He is lectured by these adverse newspapers; abused by them, consigned by them to eternal political death, and yet he is ever and always being treated as very live, undying, immediate issue. The remarkable force of MT. Bryan s personality is onle of the interesting, in- explainable facts of today.
 BALL.