The Washington times., 1894-12-29
DIR. scHAAf AS A HISTORIAN.
DIR. Fishers PAPER Before the Church His.
tOrN Society.

ElSHSI RdFGP DGiOiS InG SHulSn his
tory Society.
At the closing session of the American
Church History Society, held yesterday morn
ing in the Columbian University, Rev. DR..
George P. Fisher read paper on the work of
the late DR.. Philip Schaaf, the noted Biblical
historian. After referring to his labors in
connection with the revising Of the King
james version of the Bible. DIR. Fisher said
the deceased historians labors in the cause of
Christian unity in connection with the Chris
tian alliance form one OF the most important
parts of his biography.
He was one of the prolific theologians
of his time.' said DR.. Fisher.
Printers and publishers were kept busy
continually in issuing the productions of his
mind. Versatility was a marked characters
tic OF his life. The study OF our history was
his chosen field OF work. and he was histo-
ran, not an antiquarian. Nothing delighted
him more than to unveil the hidden myste-
ries OF the past and all of his historical writ
ines were based upon a faithful study of the
original sources. DIR Schaaf kept familiar
with the recent literature in his department
in all languages. Students of photography
should be grateful to the services rendered to
them by his publication of many volumes Civ
ing the results of deep researches on that
subject.
'Dr Schaaf's style was lucid L presented
that invigorating freshness which at once en-
cages the close attention of the reader. His
classification of subjects was natural and ap-
propriate. His writings are a lasting monu-
ment to his ability as teacher and histo-
rian.
At the conclusion of Dr. Fishers paper,
| personal "reminiscences of DR.. Schaaf were
rela ed by Bishop Hurst, Rev. DR.. S. NJ. jack
son, Prof. Faulkner, and Rev. DR.. Jocobs.
Prof. Faulkner made a brief speech in
which he spoke in commendatory terms of q
recent publication written by Rev. DIR. RAM
| say on christianity in the Roman Empire. -
DR.. Jacobs suggested that it would be good
idea for the church history society to make
an attempt to secure a catalogue of the books
which were accessible to the Puritan fathers
during the Trst days of their residence In
! Massachusetts.
| The following officers were elected for the
ensuing term: President, Bishop John F.
Hurst, OF Washington; vice presidents, Prof.
! Il. M. Baird, Rev. Prof. G.. p Fisher, Rev.
DR.. III. e. Jacobs, and Rev. DR.. G. C. Tiffany;
secretary, Rev. DR.. S. Nj. Jackson. and treas
,urer, Mr.. Barr Ferree.
The selection OF place of meeting for the
next annual session of the society was re-
ferred to the council with pewer to act. 1T is
thought that either Boston, Chicago or WASH
| ington wilt be chosen.
Alter adjournment the members were en-
tertained at luncheon by Bishop Hurst at
his residence, No. 1f01 Massachusetts avenue.
| hose present were: Rev. Drs g. p Fisher
and G.. II. Mead. of the Hartford Theological
| Seminary; Emerton, of Harvard; Christie, of
Meadville, Pa; Norcross, of Carlisle, Pa;
Fl. E. Jacobs, of the Lutheran Seminary,
Philadelphia; E. J. Wolfe, of the Lutheran
| Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa; Higley, of Wis.,
| consin, Beiley. vice chancellor of the Ameri-
can University; Z. W. Baldwin, pastor of
| Wesley Chapel O. A. Brown, of Foundry
Church; T. s. Hamlin, of the Church OF the
Covenant; F. De- Power, of the Vermont Ave
nue. Christian Church; Craighead, of WASH
ington; S. M. Jackson. of New York, and A..
| Osborn, secretary Of the American Univer-
sity, and Messrsl FL. e. Pelouze and Barr
Ferree. ue1