Autographs of the prophecies, gospels, etc., are the identical or original documents written by the respective authors of the books of Scripture. Copies taken from these are termed autographs. None of these original MSS. are now remaining, nor could their preservation be expected, without the intervention of a miracle, during the space of nearly eighteen centuries. It seems exceedingly probable that divine Providence permitted them to be early withdrawn from public inspection, lest, like other relics, they should become objects of idolatrous veneration. It is even asserted by Peter, bishop of Alexandria in the 4th century, that an original of John's gospel. was not only preserved, but worshipped, at Ephesus (Michaelis, Introd. i, 250). SEE MANUSCRIPTS, BIBLICAL.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More