Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-05
souTHkRs HEBREW SCHOOL.
The Recent Session at the University
OF vfrgfnfa-Iis Usefulness.

OF yfrginfa-Its Usefulness.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
A word to your readers respecting
the Southern School of Hebrew, now in
session at the University Of Virginia
These summer schools Of Hebrew
have been in operation for some years
in the North. They are designed to
afford students and clergymen an OPP
portunity TO prosecute study Of this
language and its cognate tongues. They
were originated by w. R, Harper, Phi.
d., now professor of Semitic Lam
guages in Yale College.
The labors of this man in the cause
Of sacred learning have been simply
prodigious, and are the outcome of an
enthusiastic love for the language in
which tine Old Testament was written
and an ardent desire to stimulate every
where its reverent study.
Accordingly, in addition to his pro-
fessional duties, he teaches no less than
eight hundred persons by correspon-
dence, edits monthly magazine called
the " Old Testament Student" and is
sending textbook after textbook from
the press.
His method is his own, or rather he
is the first to apply the inductive method
to the study Of Hebrew, with results
astonishing to those who have pursued
its study under the guidance Of Green,
Gesenius, and Nordheimer. He, alone,
directs the student to an understanding
Of the principles upon which this grand
old language is based. Under him its
study becomes an ever-increasing de-
light, the pleasure arising from con-
scious mastery.
1t is the design Of this communics-
ton to assure our clergy Of the benefits
of this summer school. In one month,
undivided attention being concentrated
upon this single study, as much is &C
complished ss is ordinarily done in .
year in seminary course.
The student is thoroughly grounded
in the principles Of the language, aud
is enabled thereafter to prosecute its
study in satisfactory manner.
1t ought to be understood that these
summer schools are largely charitable
in their character. The naturalization
fees are by no means adequate to sus-
tain them, and no fec is charged to
those unable to pay; consequently
they are supported by outside contri-
buttons. This school Of which We are
speaking is sustained by the liberality
Of the Rev. Mr.. Rawlings, Of Lynch
burg, who defrays all its expenses.
With DR.. Harper it is a labor OF
love. He receives no compensation and
pays his own expenses.
The vice. president OF the Southern
Hebrew School is DR.. w. W. Moore, a
professor Of Hampden-Sidney College,
whose scholastic abilities commanded
the admiration, and whose gentle man.
ners attracted the affection Of all who
came under his instruction. 1t ought
; to be known that Hampden-Sidney has
, in It's faculty one OF the best Hebraists
in this country.
Other distinguished scholars teaching
here are Professor Holmes Dysinger, O
1 the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary
Newberry, S. O.; DIR. j. A. Craig, I
!. Doctor Of Physiology Of Leipsic Uni
Q versity, who teaches Assyrian; Profes
a sor +. NJ. Peterson, Of the Southern
0 University, Greensboro, Ala, and j
0 K. Lampey, NJ. A, professor in tn
, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
J Louisville, Ky. These gentlemen con
stitnte an able corps OF teachers, aut
are illustrious exenplars of southern
scholarship.
II is hoped that the Southern Hebrew
: School may become permanent insti
tuition and that 1t win boar abundsn
fruit in advanced scholarship amoni
our clergy, and to this end men o
. wealth would do well to contribute Pc
cuniarily TO its success. IL. NJ. j.