Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-11-27

search of the Monastery of ST. Catherine or
Mount Sinai where it is believed that the oldest
existing Bible manuscripts are to be found
Discoveries already. made indicate with. prac
tcal certainty that these manuscripts must be
there, but for peculiar very little prog
ress has been made in searching for them. Dur.
ing the years 1874, 1853 and 1859 the German
scholar Tschendorf spent much time exploring
the monastery library.
The monks then very simple and hos
pitable and quite unfamiliar with the ways of
the outside world They allowed Tischendorf to
do he pleased in the library. He used this
liberty with stupendously profitable results to
himself. He discovered the Oldest known Greek
manuscript of the Bible, now known the Co
dex Sinaiticus." By some scholars it is dated as
early the fourth century, and in that case it
is the Oldest practically complete manuscript of
the Bible. 1t consists of most of the Old Tesla.
ment, all the New Testament and "the Epistle
OF Barnabas"
This wonderful collection of manuscripts Tisch-
endorf carried away without saying a word to
the monks. There are doubtless collectors today
who would give 81 100000 for these manuscripts.
When the monks slowly realized that they had
been robbed of one of the most precious pos
sessions in the religious world, they became very
angry, and their anger lasted long time
For years travellers who visited the outof-the-
world monastery reported that the monks were
surly and inhospitabe, and would not afford a
their treasures. Many Of these visitors reported
that the monks were ill-using their manuscripts
in deplorabe manner, using them stands
for cooking utensils and flower pots.
Finally, in 1894, two brilliant Englishwomen--
Mrs. Smith Lewis and Mrs. Gibson-succeeded
In winning the confidence of the monks and Sc
cured permission to make an examination of the
library. Their search was richly rewarded for
they discovered fourth century palimpsest
manuscript of St Pauls Gospel in Syriac This
is probably the oldest known Bible manuscript
for the Tischendorf Codex even allowing 1t the
Oldest date mentioned, would barely equal it.
Mrs Lewis and Mrs. Gibson found that in
order to put the library In thorough order and
reveal specifically all that it contained
would require the abors of considerable staff
OF trained workers Although the monks gave
facilities to the two women, they were not will
Ing TO admit any considerable body Of investiga-
tors to the monastery, In view of their bitter
experience of earlier years
The present movement aims to overcome the
objections of the monks in friendly manner.
The Sinaitc Peninsula is now in Egyptian terri.
tory. When the necessary funds have been col.
iected the assistance Of the Egyptian authorities
will be sought in carrying on negotiations with
The monks.
Among the most precious manuscripts believed
10 be in the monastery is the original of the
Gospel of st. Luke in the handwriting of the
apostle himself This would be incomparably the
most important Bible manuscript ever discovered
The Syriac copy of st. Lukes gospel found by
he two English women and at present consti.
utng the oldest known Bible manuscript con.
aims evidence that II was translated from
Greek original In the library.