The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-01
N AMERICAN COLONY
Curtis Tells of Their Wonder
full Progress.
HAVE NO OFFICERS
But All Do Their Best for
Their Benefit.

Jerusalem. May S.-william E. Curtis
of the Chicago Record-Herald writes the
following:
Under the auspices of the American
institute Of Archaeology. there has been
recently established at Jerusalem school
for oriental languages, biblical history
and archaeology and for original inves-
LEGATION. which is especially advanta-
geous to clergymen and others inter-
ested in scripture study. Professor sha-
Ter Matthews Of the University Of Chi
cago has been escorting a class of stu
dentist through Palestine for a couple
months this spring, visiting most OF the
important places for the purpose of
studying biblical history upon the ground.
But the American school is intended 20
be permanent, and, under the direction
of Professor H. d. Mitchell of the theo-
logical faculty of Boston University. has
already given its stakes. begun work,
and offers advantages which have never
before been allowed American students in
the Holy Land.
The school is supported by twenty or
thirty different universities, colleges and
theological seminaries in the United
States. who contribute a stated sum ev-
cry year and by voluntary gifts from in
divsduals especially interested in this
work. But ] notice that most of the
regular contributors are eastern institu-
ucns. While the schools }. area e, Iogr
and history in Rome and Athens are
mainly supported by western enterprise in
the United States, this biblical school in
Palestine has no contributors west of
Cornell. except the Hebrew College at
Cincinnati. An effort IS now being made
70 secure a permanent endowment of
500, Co., the income to be expended in orig
inaI research in Palestine. explorations
and explorations 10 be done under the
direction Of the American school
The Germans are about to establish
similar school at Jerusalem under the
auspices of the University Of Berlin. The
English already have a school and are
making some important excavations
among the old City of Gezer. which was
given to Solomon by Pharaoh with his
daughter as a brides dowry. The story
is told in the tenth chapter of Joshua.
The English society has invited the
Americans to participate in the excava-
tions. and the students Of the American
College have the advantage of several
other schools and museums at Jerusalem.
The Greeks and patriarch gave them the
privileges of liberty with a remarkable
collection of manuscripts The Domini
can monks are doing much TO encourage
archaeological investigation. and among
them are some very active and able
scholars. At their school in Jerusalem
courses Of lectures are given every win
ter upon subjects connected with the
history and antiquities of Palestine. TO
which the American students are invited.
A Mohammedan school near the gate of
Herod IS also doing some good work. and
several small museums recently started
IN the city win be found useful as well
as interesting to inquirers into the pre-
historic conditions in the Holy Land. !
The trustees of the American college |
have not yet succeeded in securing an
imperial trade authorizing their under
taking and judging by the experience |
of others il viii take them several years
TO do so. There are several prominent |
educational institutions of long standing |
founded and conducted by foreigners !
which have never received any official |
authorization nor suffered for the lack |
OF it. Hence. DR.. Mitchell is going ahead |
with the work just as IL the. imperial /
seal Of the Ottoman Empire lay upon his |
writing desk. It is proposed TO have |
two directors hereafter, one TO remain 1
in Jerusalem and supervise the work of 1
the students there, and the other to have |
charge of.the students in the field and |
direct archaeological explorations. The /
usefulness of the institution, however, |
depends upon the liberality OF its friends /
in contributing funds for its support
Many young clergymen in the United 4
States. and others also. for that matter /
will be glad OF an opportunity to spend /
a year or two in Palestine studying BIZ
blicaI history and archaeology under /
competent direction. The expense will /
not be great They can reach Jerusalem /
from New York at a cost of not more I
than $50 and can ind comfortable homes 4
here at the expense Of not more than sci
n day They will not be able to enjoy
the same comforts and luxuries they
have at home and viii be exposed TO 4
Inconvenience and annoyances that viii /
only add more energy and zeal in their
work.
over in the new part of Jerusalem. +
which IS as different from the old part /
as one town may differ from another. (
are enormous hospitals. hospices. and ?
other institutions for the care OF pill
erims; long streets Of stores, shops and
comfortable apartment houses. two or
more stories In height. built upon modern
plans with modern c0nveniences. like 1
those OF a German and French city
The streets are kept comparatively clean;
there are sewers and a good water sup
ply. The roads are paved and the side
walks laid with Rag stones wide enough /
for two people TO walk abreast. Some Of
the houses are surrounded by gardens
that look very attractive. and occasional
y through an open door one can catch !
a glimpse Of an interior court with a
fountain. palms and flowers. that is very
anuring
In this new section of the city Is locat-
Ell the American colony" so-called.
although il is composed OF representa-
tives Of seven nations and occupies
large house erected for the purpose. Wi
several smaller houses around il. This is
the headquarters Of the religious sect
known as the .Overeouers. which r.
moved here from Chicago twenty years
$50 under the leadership Of Dr. and Mrs.
Spanord Tloy have since gained some
notoriety az home because Of legal pro
eeedings over property which was claim
&c 70 have been beGueathed 10 the ass5-
citation by one CT SIS members. This sect