New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-23
4 BIBLICAL AND CHRIyTlfN NUSEUM
OPENING or THE UNION THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY 5
COLLECTION.

N-NAN-'
COLLECTION.
Exercises were held in the chapel Of the
Union Theological seminary, at No University place
Yesterday morning. to commemorate the opening Of the
Biblical, Christian and Missionary Museum. when
occupies a adjoining the extensive library Of the
institution The already contain, casts o. the
Hamoh Inscriptions charts, maps and pictorial lusrd
tions Of CHRISTIAN lands and Christian art collections OF
the BIRDS minerals. grains, and woods Of Palestine
manuscript books and missionary objects.
The chapel was well filed with visiting cleIgymcn and
students Of the Seminary The president the Rev. Dr.
william Adams, made the opening address He said the
object OF the museum was not 10 Eraufy curl
osiiy but perform the service of useful adjunct
to theological instruction Christianity was not
an ideaism; il a historic reality. sssOci-
ated with times and places. Evidences OF
Christian truth were TO be found in the records lof
archaeology, ethnoOgy and topography This was cyi-
dence not 10 be despised. All forms OF monumental
testimony should be welcomed In the first division OF
the museum were objects which corresponded 10 the
records Of the Scriptures The second division was Dc
voted to CHRISTIAN archaeology and books and NOM
nepts serving illustrate Christian doctrine and Chris
tan hfe The third department was devoted to records
and relics OF missionary labor and objects illustrating
the worship and religion OF people among whom the
missionaries lsbOrDg. IL was designed 10 have a
library containing all information relating 10 hoaton
countries. The missionaries had reduced no less than
The Rev Dr. T. ID. Hitchcock spoke Of Christianity az
having need Of external support though grateful
fnr H. He cOniraStcd the Bible and the Koran both
written in the Orient and, in many respects. under the
saline or similar conditions Of SOIL climate ana outward
environment. The Bible was fun OF Typographical allu
slOn.; the Koran had very few. Hence the possibility
and importance OF Illustrating the Bible by such spcc
mems - may b. obtained OF t1e mineral vegetable aud
animal kingdoms Of Egypt Arabia and Palestine where
IN. Hebrew Nation Graded and trained and where
the Hebrew Sacred Books were written. In Christian
archaeology TIE museum had made only small begin
ming smaller than in the Biblical part. There
few specimens from the catacOinbs But having made
beginning the museum might now hope TO 60 on TO pct
ter aud greater things
The Rev. DE- Philip Schaf who has done much to
dregs lie thought that a great deal had already been
done for little money but more money would bring
more ANTIQUITIES. II be only had 800 more NJ his dis
posal he thought ne could lay the foundation for n
Chrsiian which would be honor 10 the Semi
nary and the country. That amount OF money placed
IN tie hand, Piper who founded the BerilD CIs
tian museuIu he confident. would be an invest mcht
Of the greatest possible advantage. gentleman present
had authorized Dr. Schan say that he would give 500
towards the $780, which 1t SAID could easily be OBJ
tanned.
The Rev Dr. Bush said IL a circular was sent 20 the
III graduates of the Seminary WHO had gone To tue
missionary Clds IL would be necessary TO enlarge
the quarters Of the missionary department OF the nu
He thought it might be made The source OF very
important instruction IN the clOuS habits, superoti-
ton. aud wOrships Of various peoples.
The Rev DR. Charles Briggs spoke Of the uses OF n
museum devoted 10 special purposes. Such the new
museum designed 10 Ice, ana IL just import
ant 70 the Seminary general museum, prsiug all
kinds OF Christian and rel gOus and secular Objects
10 the general pabic. IL would supply n want that
conld be met by public museum fOstercd Tor popular
Instruction After the exercises, those present visited
the museum ana the library.