New-York tribune., 1900-09-23
AN EAST SIDE WORK.
THE LOSS TO AMBITIOUS STUDENTS IN
THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR DAVIDSON.

THE LOSS TO AMBITIOUS STUDENTS IN
THE DEATH OF PROFESSOR DAVIDSON.
The death Of Professor Thomas Davidson of this
city has called attention to his services TO the
cause of education and higher culture: but little
seems to be known OF a work which he was carry
ing on among the Russian Hebrews of lower New
York At No 1876 Madison-sA in modest four
story brick building Professor Davidson gathered
together more than hundred young men and
women of ability and ambition. and was training
them to be of high value to the neighborhoOd
which they represented. They to be- he
hoped "a Ieaven which should leaven the whole
mass" in that most crowded and most interesting
part Of the city and slowly but surely the aim
being accomplished
Two years ago. under the auspices of the Peo-
pies Institute Professor Davidson gave at the
Educational Alliance No. 197 East Broadway,
series of lectures on Problems Which the Nine
teenth Century Presents to the Twentieth" While
delivering these lectures. he had occasion fire.
quenty to enter into private discussion with many
of the young people who came to the course He
found them earnest and clear Drained and at
turned his attention to beginning a work which
should be of permanent benefit TO them and to the
neighborhood which they represented. He offered
to begin at the Alliance a class in history and
sociology for the benefit of such young people.
and his offer was promptly accepted. II may be
edded that he persistently declined to accept any
remuneration what
THE PROFESSORS AIM.
His own words will best show the purpose OF the
class:
In the discussion which followed the course OF
lectures on Problems Which the Nineteenth Cen
tGry Presents to the Twentieth ] had come
to know extent the character. aspirations
and needs of the young people whom 1 undertook
to instruct. I saw that they were both able and
earnest but carried away by superficial teachings
of SOeialisc Anarchistc sort. greatly TO their
own detrimePt and to that of society. My first
object, therefore. in taking up the class
induce its members to study and think care
fully the great problems of sociology and culture
In accordance with the historic method. and so to
impart to their minds a healthy attitude toward
society, to do away with the Vengefu sense of per
sonal or class wrong and to arouse faith in indi-
vidual effort and manly and womanly self-depend-
outlook upon life would lift their lives out of
narrowness and sOrdlness, and give them ideal
aims. Finally, wished to train them in the use of
correct English. both written and spoken Nv
method OF instruction consisted in gaining their
conhdence, and in making them do much as pos
sible also tried to impart impetus and give direC-
ton. In spite of little distrust on their part at
anectton. while they performed the tasks set them
with a Will and perseverance that really ad-
mirable.
The work undertaken rather ambitious but
it was carefully supervised by the Professor and
was most Creditable. The members of the class
drew maps wrote essays historic and scientific
subjects epitomized great books, learned poems
and so on. The results Of this work were shown
and discussed. Il have never taught so salts