The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-26


kind, to mount the pulpit more frequent
cause he had such astonishing readiness.
With a general culture extremely extern
sive. with much reading, and remember
ing all that he had read, knowing his
Bible thoroughly, which was, for him
really THE Book, he was able without
long preparation, to present to an audi
ence sound and abundant ideas. AL
though he was little followed by the great
public, he had succeeded in gathering
around his desk certain number of be-
levers, whom he edited by his word 20
perspicuously evangelical. Child of the
light, he preached its doctrines without
softening them down by any compromise.
He had little confidence in ratiocinations.
and he thought that it was by witness
bearing, much more than by subtitle argu-
ments, that souls are gained to the faith.
1t is our regret that NJ de La Harpe
has not left any durable book. AS care
less of his reputation as of his ease. he
never saved the time to write the Hebrew
Grammar which he had sketched, any
more than the General and Special In
PRODUCTION to the Old Testament" of
which only few leaves received their.
final shape. But there is one of his works
which stands, although it is not inscribed
with his name. 1t is we hasten to say,
that version of the Old Testament called
the Lausanne version, on which he
wrought for twenty-five years as a CO.
laborer. 1t is collective work; since it
has been done by certain number of
Swiss pastors and professors, it has been
all revised, page after page, verse by
verse, by M. de La Harpe 1t is he who
gave it the last touch, who has conferred
unity on it. Accordingly, when in 1876,
the University of Edinburgh decreed to
our brother the highest academic rank,
that of doctor in theology, the Dean, DIR.
Charters, mentioned this great work as
one Of the recipients principal titles to
the honor conferred on him, reminded us
of those architects of the grand cathedrals,
who were so wholly occupied with the
works they executed that they did not
aim to inscribe their own names on them.
but were satisfied with raising to God an
imperishable monument. There should
also be mentioned the numerous dis
courses, and the more numerous reports
drawn up by M. de La Harpe, for the
Evangelical Church and Society, works
carefully studied, elegantly written,
whence future historians will be able to
draw useful views and precious informa-
tlon.. Some of these discourses have been
printed separately. We will mention
two of them: the first on the relations of
science and faith, entitled ATTACK and
Defence, pronounced the 4th of October,
1869, at the opening of the course in the
Theological School the second, on a sub
ject very near the heart of the revered
professor, "The Church-Its Importance
and Nature" pronounced on a similar
occasion the 18th of October, 1877. In
each of these discourses M. de La Harpe
took delight in giving to the Bible the
central place in the development of the
Church and the forming of the Christian.
Thus, always active, always devoted,
never sparing himself, M de La Harpe
was advancing in the happy course of a
green old age. Last June, after having
moderated the general assemblies and
held great number of examinations
with his students, he departed for his
vacation, expressing to his colleagues
the hope OF laboring with them long
years still. Alas, it was not to be so
One evening in September as he was
walking In the dark upon the platform
terrace of the Chateau of Cessac near
Bordeaux, to see the starry heavens, he
stumbled and fell distance of seven
steps. He rose without aid, his person
bruised, hisarm and leg slightly sprained
From this fall he rallied readily, and
appeared to feel no consequences of it
when he took the road to Geneva But
the journey fatigued him. Still he
chose to preside, the 9Th of October at
the opening of the session, to assist at
the examinations and to resume his
course of instruction Sunday the 10th
ne preached in England at the Ameri-
can meeting, and proceeded in the after
noon, with great feeling, to a ceremony
OF laying on of hands; but Tuesday the
18th, ne had slight attack in the street
and from the next day his strength de-
clined with great rapidity, although he
still preserved the clearness of his mind
The last words he articulated were those
OF the 23d psalm, which had lust been
read to him II fear no evil, for thou
art with me-" Then the vail of death
decended slowly before his serene figure
ana alter two days of almost entire un-
consciousness, he expired without an
parent suffering, the Goth of October. two
hours after mid day. Thus disappeared
from the earthly stage the last represen.
tatlVe of that o,ora1o4: