Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-04-14
SACRED LITERATURE.


SACRED LITEHATUHE.
The Great Impetus Given to the His
tOric Method of Bible Study.
To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
1t is worthy of note that intelligent men
and women all over the land are entering
into the study of the Bible more. vigorously
at the present time than ever before. We
are undergoing what may be termed Bible
revival. Not only is the lesson system
in the Sunday schools moro thoroughly
studied, but there is also an increasing
demand for Bible courses, lectures on
biblical history and archaeology, and
books on distinctively biblical topics.
Even the original Hebrew, as well as the
Greek, finds to-day more students than
this country has ever enrolled before. All
this means something. If, in this study,
there were nothing more than a mere
memorizing of texts and a reiteration of
old theories no permanent results
of any value would ensue. But the reason
for this revival of Bible study lies in the
fact that at least the historic spirit and
method are gaining recognition. The Bible
student is now learning to recognize the
literature of scripture, to trace the pro-
pressive development of this literature, to
interpret the Bible history by other his
tory, to relegate prophecy, poetry and
ritual to their historical setting, and, above
all, to eliminate the immense amount of
tradition which has been collected about
the scriptures, and even crept into the text
and examine the materials at first hand. No
man has done more to popularize the his
toric method in Bible study than Professor
W. R. Harper of Yale university, whose
lectures at the university and the First M.
E. church in this city are crowded at all
times. The American Institute of Sacred
Literature, organized by Professor Harper,
is intended to do this same work all over
the land. 1t is not body constituted to
advance particular set of views; neither
is it's purpose to enter a crusade against
past methods and theories. 1t judges its
instructors not by their conclusions, but
by their spirit and method. In other
words, it believes in applying the historic
spirit in scientific way to the study of
scripture, and is convinced that out of
such study will come an incalculable gain
to the cause of truth and righteousness.
A year ago this institution announced a
curriculum of examinations, one of which
was successfully carried through in 1890.
By this means minister, o Bible teach
er or nonprofessional Bible student, having
completed the study of a certain biblical
subject, may be provided with set of
comprehensive and suggestive questions
which will show him whether or not he
has grasped the essential facts of the sub,
ject, it's teachings, its relation to the Bible
as a whole, and its historical and literary
value.
Two general examinations are offered fol
1891. The first is upon the gospel of John
and will be of special interest to those who
take up the study of that gospel with the
international Sunday school lessons begin
ming July, 1891. The second takes up the
life of Christ, based upon the four gospels
and is primarily intended for the many
who are this year engaged in the specia
study of this topic.
In order that the questions may b.
adapted to all classes of persons, they arr
prepared in four grades as follows: l, TIT
advanced grade for ministers, theological
students and persons who have done clos'
and critical work; 2, the progressive grad
for the members of adult Bible classes wht
have done less amount of work upon thu
subject; 8, the intermediate grade for Bibl'
classes, the members of which are from
fifteen to twenty five years of age; 4, thu
elementary grade for those who are from
ten to fifteen years of age.
Careful study OF the Sunday school les
sons, with the usual helps. ought to be I
sufficient preparation for these tests
Thorough study by any method whateve
will prepare student to answer the frs
two grades of the questions. Special help
are suggested to all those who wish to pre-
pare themselves for higher grade.
The examinations will take place Jan
| uary Is, 1892. They will be conducted b.
special examiners, of whom there are al
| ready more than one thousand appointed
by the institute. Wherever. in any plac
which can be reached by mail, there i
even one person who wishes to take tn
| examination, a special examiner will b
| appointed.
All examines are furnished with an ex
| animation direction sheet containing sug
| gestions for work and helpful outlines.
Certificates will be awarded to all thos
| whose papers reach an average Of 70 pc
| cent These will be of three classes, A,
or G, according to the standard attained
| The individual results of the examination
| are not made public, but are known onl
| to the examiner, the examinee and the In
stitute instructors.
This work can best be made universal b
q multiplicity of examiners. A special ap
| peal is therefore made to all ministers
Sunday school superintendent or Bibl
class teachers, who are willing to becom
special examiners, to send in their name
at once.
All these and also all individuals o
groups who desire to take one or both o
these examinations should write immedi
ately to William R. Harper of this city.
A Sad Case.
Mrs. Mary Cullen, aged sixtytwo, o
Dewitt street, this city, went to Middleton
Sunday to attend the funeral of her son
John Coughlin, a respected citizen of tina
| place, who died Saturday morning of pneu
| monia. When she alighted from the trail
| at the Middletown depot Sunday Afternoon
she was surrounded by several relatives
| She kissed her little grandson and starte'
| to walk away, when she tainted. Whel
| she revived she was taken to the residenc
| of Rev. Father Sheridan. The clergyman
| concluded that death was near, and afte
| administering the last rites Of the churcl
the old lady died. Death was probabl
due to heart disease. Her body was takel
| to the home of her late son, to look upol
| whose remains for the last time she ha
| journeyed to Middletown, and the two bod
les were placed side by side. The funera
| of her son took place yesterday. That o
Mrs. Cullen will take place from the Churcl
| of the Sacred Heart at o'clock this morn
ing.
Middletown Odd Fellows New Hall
MIdDLETowN, April 12,-Obwebetuc!