Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-05


ness alluded to above damaged his
nervous system, but over this his re-
markable will triumphed. and his self
poise was signal. His capacity fol
work was something out of the usua
run. He had among other character
istics of genius. that which is described
as an Infinite capacity for taking
pains" He delighted i'm details. He
never learned the secret of how to make
others do his work, but. on the contrary
was always ready to do other peoples
work. He was so anxious that every
thing with which his name was asso-
ciated should be free from blemish, that
he would insist upon giving his per-
sonal attention to many matters OF
wholly secondary Importance.
MAN OF GREAT POWER.
1t would not be easy 10 accurately
gauge DR.. Harris's intellectual power.
1t was not meteoric; it could hardly be
called brilliant or splendid. But ones
hesitation at using these terms would
be due only to the fact that of all men
he was the least snowy or spectacular.
But those who knew him. who through
a series of years came into almost
daily contact with him. who themselves,
growing in mental breadth and vigor,
realized that he never shrank into or
binary proportions. but was in their
manhood as well as i'm their youth, the
same masterfu mind-they understood
something of the quite marvellous
strength and scope of his powers. AS
an Interpreter of the Bible, he was al
most peerless. Judicious, broad with
keen. spiritual instincts and sympathies.
with large fund of biblical lore at his
command. with gathered stores of his
tory and philosophy in easy reach for
illustration and illumination, he would
bring out the force and beauty of a
Scripture passage with so much dis
elimination that it would often amount
almost to a revelation. There were
some who knew his power i'm this re-
spect who never missed an opportunity
to hear him. Hundreds of former stu
dents at Richmond College remember
his "Bible class" at the Grace-Street
Baptist church, where his remarkable
gift of Interpretation was constantly
shcwn.
IN FRONT RANK AS TEACHER.
AS a teacher Professor Harris wars in
the front rank. This was his vocation,
and he was master of the tools with
which he worked. His grasp of sub
ject was comprehensive, firm, and tena-
cious. He held certain convictions with
certainty He was not, however. af
ficted with the infallibilty of ignorance.
Where he could not know. he did not
dogmatise. Nevertheless he did not en-
tertain all his opinions either in the
realm OF scholarship, literature, poll
tics, or religion. with a "by your
leave. kind sir always on his
lips. He was quite a stalwart man in
His influence on his pupils
was broadening and enlightening ana
was also distinctly tonic.
FRO! essor Harris had an analytical mind.
He was especially fond Of mathematics and
often said that he chose TO teach a Ian
guage because he was not so fond OF lin
gustic as of mathematics and scientific
studies. and hence needed to perfect him
self I'm that line. His analytical power
gave him ability 10 simplify and clarity
whatever he taught. 1t was delight 10
have him as a teacher-he made the dffi-
cut path of the student so easy.
But the distinguishing characteristic
quality of Dr. Harris's teaching power
was in his WONDERFULLY wise use OF apt
Competent judges who knew
Eli three, cheerfplly assign him place
with such masters of this art as DR.. w.
IA. McGuffey and Dr. John A. Broadus.
He was never a story-teller-never reach
"a his ''anecdotage"- his illustrations
always shed light. Sometimes they were
so III and forceful that they removed all
for argument. One instance may
be properly mentioned. AT "a meeting OF
The Southern Baptist Convention several
years ago he was making the point that
instead of beginning a revival Of mis-
sionary interest In the convention and ex-
oectjng Il 10 flow out through associa-
ions conventions, and churches to the
people. the wiser way was to seek re-
ON SEVENTH PAGE)