The San Francisco call., 1909-12-05
Especial Dispatch TO The CALI

NEW YORK, Dec. Rev Francis
j. schaefer Of the ST. Paul seminary
llas given. in 'Acta ct Dicts," the Of
fetal organ of the ST. Paul Catholic
Historical Society in Minnesota, an in
1eresting account of the religious work
accomplished by the intrepid fur trad
ers. Radisson and Groseilliers.
It gives special publicity to the fact
thar the first chapel erected in Mime
Prairie Island in Lake Pepin, near Red
Wing, during their first visit to Mime
seta in ls55-56.
incidentally it goes to show that the
missionary activity within the confines
OF Minnesota was inaugurated neither
by Jesuit nor by Recollet, but owes
il origin to the lay evangel Of these
simple voyageurs According TO all
evidences il was the custom among the
Noya geurs Of New France to administer
The sacrament of baptism in all cases
Of necessity, particularly to children.
It is said that during their first eX-
peditiOn Radisson and Groseilliers bap-
tized about 300 little children Again
81 l659-60 they passed the winter on
the shores Of Lake Superior, and were
fortunate enough to baptize zoo little
children of the Algonquin nation, with
whom they first made their abode
These children were the victims Of dis
ease and famine, and, in the simple
words Of the Jesuit Relations, forty
went straight TO heaven, dying soon
after baptism.
The Biblical Institute has begun it's
frst years course Of studies with a
teaching staH of II Jesuits chosen
from nine provinces Of the order, as
follows:
Andrea Fernandez of the province
Of Arragon viii teach the eNegesis of
certain portions of the Hebraic text
of Scripture, history OF the Hebrews
from Samuel 10 solomon and ques-
tion of theology OF the Old Testament,
viz. Messianism.
Antony Deimel, province of Germany,
Assyrian language, history and geog-
raphy of Assyria and Babylonia and
the relations between some of the Gu
neiform texts and the Bible.
Enrico Gismondi, province Of Rome,
the Aramaic (Syrian and Chaldaic)
language and Arabic.
Enrico Rosa, province of Turin, Bib
licaI Greek.
Herman van Laak. province of Ger
many. inspiration and inerrancy of the
sacred books
Leopold Fonck, province of Austria.
introduction to portions of the New
Testament and eXegesis of selected
texts. method and literary aids for the
study Of the sacred books and gospel
history.
LadisIaus Szozepanski. province OF
GaIicia, biblical geography and arch
aeology and a higher course Of He
brew
Limo Murillo, province of Castillo. ex-
egesis Of the Greek text and of the
difficulties in the study of sacred scrip
ture.
Lucien Mechineau, province Of
France, general introduction TO the
Bible and special introduction TO the
Pentateuch and TO the didactic books
Of the Old Testament and the eXegesis
of the Psalms.
Mario Chaine, province OF Lyons, the
cryptic language.
Finally. the prefect of the Vatican
library, Francis Ehrle, Will give con-
ferences in the institute on paleogra-
phy relating TO the Bible
The different subjects are proposed
in such abundance and variety in order
that the students may make their Sc
lection according to the special needs
Rnd tastes Of each. The lessons are
10 he supplemented by practical eX-
ercises, oral or written, on the part of
The students so that they may become
practically familiar with scientific
work
II is expected that the first great
work to be undertaken by all the pro-
fessors, students and friends OF the
institute will be a photography of all
The literature relating to biblical sci
ence, not merely of this or that ma
tion bat of all throughout the world.
This biblical bibliography viii inves-
tigate the labors of past a ages, and thus
prepare the way for a history of exc
gesis during every age. And a
great part of this history lies still
hidden in manuscript codices IL will
be possible to derive from it a rich
abundance Of texts and commentaries.
This again will contribute to throw
more and more light on the sacred text
itself TO furnish matter for critical
studies on the true form Of the text
and for a deeper investigation of the
sense OF the divine word.
Again. for the practical use OF the
clergy and of theologians. the profess
sors Of the institute are preparing a
Biblical Summary, or brief exposition
of the results obtained and the prob
lens to be solved in the vast field of
biblical studies.
The rule will be that each one is to
cultivate his own portion of the sacred
vineyard by his own positive and per-
sonal labor. and thus seek for the best
defense for the cause of truth and
od OF many.
site year extends from No
Tune 30
interesting com
TTnfvers, writ
pope" Nicola
2 n fbe Calm