Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-30
STUDY OF The BIBLE.

A Systematic Course of 1t Opened Up ct
Chautauqua-Dr. Little on the Influence
Of Dsnte-Lecture on Washington Irv-
ing-Press Club Reception.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.1
CHAUTAUoUA, n. Y, July 2a.-The feature
of tO-day's exercises here was the meeting
held this afternoon at the Hall of Philosophy
in the interest of the study of the Biblo in
schools and colleges. This move at Chau-
tauqua is most significant and means good
deal more than Il tempest in teapot be-
tween Union College or Andovcr Seminary.
Not only is the study of the Bible insisted
upon, but in an inductive scientific way.
rather than dednctive work in a slouchy and
scrappy manner, for Bible study is ''in the
air." Young and old are eager for ft.
Pastors are recommending it: seminarIes
and colleges are requiring it and young peO-
pies societies are demanding it. There is
no question, really, that Bible study is
needed, the only question is. how can we
most wisely go at 1t, that it shall minister to
our up-building and our usefulness? What
shall be its character, its method, its re-
suits?
Such was the trend of the discussion to-
day, and one conclusion reached was that
the Bible should be studied in the universi-
tory are studied and form part of the cur
ricuum. The programme today was as in
teresting as ever and was as follows:
AZ so a: NJ. the Womens Club meeting,
subject, Christian Endeavor." led by Mrs
Emily Ii. Miller in the Temple; ut 2:3O P. NJ.
lecture on DANTE" by Prof C. j. Little. of
Syracuse, in the Hall of Philosophy: at4 P.
NJ, a lecture on Washington Irving by Mr..
Leon II. Vincent; ut p NJ, conference on
THE THE Study OF the Bible in College and
Seminary" led by Profs. Burroughs and
Burnham; at 7P. NJ, vespers in the Anphi-
bank, the New York eiocutionist, assisted in
the musical numbers by Rogers Cornet
Band: at 9l5 =. NJ, reception of the Chautau-
qua Press Club in the Arcade.
The Influence of Dante.
DR.. Little's lecture attracted a big crowd
this afternoon. He reviewed the life and
times OF Dante in a very clever manner, and
said that the story Of the great poet was
soon told, but that his soul was measureless.
He cannot be hkened to the peaceful or Cur
shores nor to the Appenines that rise in sub
Unity, nor to the magnificent palaces or
cathedrals, noted for their grandeur He
stands distinct, apart himself in his marvel
ous work of God and man. As Chopin
startled his listeners with his development
of the piano, and Pagannini the violin, so
Dante developed the rhyme and possibilities
of the beautiful Italian language, to which
vision: Speech may not tell what can be
said of thfs great man, but this much should
be remembered, that the poorest man may
gather , from r the great poets writings
strength for his earthly trials
Nv. Leon Vincent in his lecture on Irving
gnve a brief account of the great authors
life, illustrated his hunlor from the Knicker-
booker History, and made another defense OF
American literature, showing that 1t was not
sufficient to describe 1t as "the literature of
England, that has been produced in
America" This point will be discussed by
Mr.. Vincent at greater length in his lecture
on Oliver Wendell Holmes tomorrow.
Study of the Bible.
At the meeting at which the study of the
Bible in colleges was under discussion, there
were number of speakers, the most prom
inent ones being Prof. Burnham, of Hamil-
ton, N. Y; Prof. Burroughs, of Amherst,
Mass: Rev. Osborn, Of Albion, N. Y, and
Rev. Mr.. Phillips, editor of the Canadian
Quarterly Rerte,0. The speakers insisted that
il was necessary to O rounded education that
the Bible be studied carefully, scientifically
and reverently.
The plan advocated was substantially as
follows: 1nductive Bible study as empha-
sized by several Introductory lectures, after
which practice work Is assigned each
student, in the doing of which he is most
carefully watched and searchingly criti-
cized; He then begins to apply what has
been learned to o single book characterized
by unity and limited in scope. The revised
version is the single text book, the student
being encouraged in his work to make con-
stant comparison with the original Greek.
The special book selected is studied by para
graphers. The contents of a given para
graph are concisely stated in writing, occa-
sionally Its condensed sense is written ont.
Thus by generalization the scope Of the
book as whole is determined This work /
is duly submitted to the instructor
Meanwhile questions OF importance are, as
they occur to the student, briefly noted and
classified. Next an inductive story, pre-
pared by the teacher, is put in the hands of
the student. 1t consists entirely of ques-
tions, standing in close connection with one
another, and Intended to bring out the lead.
ing thoughts and topics OF the book, thus
marked Individuality. While this study is
being worked through and the results are
being submitted to the teacher, the time in
the classroom is occupied with brief sur
vey of the book. paragraph by paragraph,
following after, but never preceding, the In
ductive study, and consideration is given to
the most important questions, which have
been raised by the students individually.
The Goal Of the Work.
After the inductive study has been com.
pleted, O list of topics suggested by it is SUBJ
mitted to the class, given one is assigned |
TO each student for personal investigation, O |
thesis upon which, short and concise, is the |
goal of his work upon that individual book. |
lHberFitWS are utO WlCn edcn student Dr1- 1
vately regarding his topic suggestions are |
made and inquiries answered while these |
are in preparation, the photography bearing
On the topics as a whole is treated, and the
lectures, which have been |
described, proceed. Upon these matters
written recitations are had at least once in |
two weeks, and in these the student is en-
to present freely his own views
and any difficulties which have occurred to
him along the line of his personal research.
Mr.. Burbank's entertainment this evening
IN the Amphitheater was before crowded
audience. He read, among other things,
Bret Harte's Idiot of the Red Gulch," and
scored great success. The feature of the
evening was his rendition of Rudyard Kip
ing's poem, "a Ballad of East and West"
Mr.. Burbank has just returned from Europe,
md will "starn this winter with Bill Nye,
he humorist. The Press Club took an "out-
ng" last night around the lake with their
aides. Later in the evening the party
topped at Point Chautauqua, where they
lropped their weary pens and used their
antastic toes. Secretary Duncan kindly