The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-11-29

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
pitabe 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 Co
dex Snaiticus." BY some scholars It is dated as
early as the fourth century and In that case 1t
10 the Oldest practically complete manuscript Of
the Bible. II 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 a long time
For years travellers who visited the out-of-the
world monastery reported that the monks were
surly and inhospitabe. and would not afford
reasonable opportunity for an examination Of
their treasures. Many of these visitors reported
that the monks were illusing 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. 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
tney discovered q fourth century pampsest
manuscript Of st. Pauls Gospel in Syriac This
10 probably the Oldest known Bible manuscript
for the Tischendorf codex. even allowing II 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 it 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 inyestiga-
tors TO the monastery. In view of their bitter
experience Of earlier years
Inc present movement aims to overcome the
ooJecuons OF the monks in a friendly manner
Inc Snaitic Peninsula is now in Egyptian terri
.o'y' wneh the necessary funds have been col.
'ee.eo tne assistance of the Egyptian authorities
the monks. WIN
among the most precious manuscripts believed
70 De In the monastery is the original NJ The
gospel OF St Luke In the handwriting of the
apostle himself. This would be incomparab,v the
most important Bible manuscript ever discovered
Inc Syriac copy Of 81. Lukes gospel fopnd hv
tne TWO English women and at present const;.
.a.ine the Oldest known Bible manuscript con.
tains evidence that It was translated from !.
Greek original in the library