The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-11-28

search Of the Monastery of St. Catherine. on
Mount Sinai where 1t is believed that the Oldest
existing Bible manuscripts are to be found
Discoveries already made indicate with prac
tical certainty that these manuscripts must be
there, but for peculiar reasons very little prog
ress has been made in searching for them. Dur
Ing the years 1874. 1853 and 1859 the German
scholar Tischendorf spent much time exploring
the monastery library
The monks were then very simple and hos
pitable and quite unfamiliar with the ways OF
the outside world. They allowed Tischendorf to
do as 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 as the Go
dex Sinaiticus." BY some scholars it is dated as
early as the fourth century and in that case 1t
is the oldest practically complete manuscript OF
the Bible. It consists of most of the Old Tesla
ment, all the New Testament and THE Eplstle
81 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 $1.00O00O 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 a long time.
For years travellers who visited the out-ofthe-
world monastery reported that the monks were
surly and inhospitable and would not AFFORD a
reasonable opportunity for examination Of
their treasures Many OF these visitors reported
that the monks were ill-usng their manuscripts
In deplorable manner. using them as stands
for cooking utensils and flower pots
Finally, In 1894. two brilliant Englishwomen-
Mrs. Smith Lewis and Mrs. Gbson-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 PauI's Gospel in Syriac. This
is probably the oldest known Bible manuscript,
for the Tischendorf Codex, even allowing it 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 even specifically all that 1t contained
would require the labors of considerable stan
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 Slnaitic Peninsula is now in Egyptian terri
tory. When the necessary funds have been col
iected the assistance OF the Egyptian authorities
VIII be- sought In carrying on negotiations with
the monks.
Among the most precious manuscripts believed
to 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. Luke's gospel found by
the two English women and al present consti.
tuttng the oldest known Bible manuscript con-
tains evidence that il was translated from
Greek original in the library.