The daily sentinel., 1909-03-30

On the day OF the closing OF the
great meeting OF Presbyterian men
at Birmingham gathering char
acteristic of American love of ae-
tion-there occurred in oxford. Eng,
another assembly in which the true
spirit of that classic seat OF learning
was made manifest.
1t was all striking Illustration OF
how the best of the educational ira
ditions of the past are being con-
served by slow-going. thoughtful OK
ford. while the great forward move
ments of the day, the advance at
tacks along the firing line, so to
speak. are occupying the energetic
west.
II would have been an inspiration
to witness the former gathering, in
deed, a mighty uplift, as experience
at Omaha in 1907 well taught; yet,
for one who for some years has ad-
mired from distance that astute
type OF scholarship that makes its
advance upon the musty secrets of
the past, the latter was indeed an
experience long to be remembered.
At Mansfield College in the after
noon a public lecture was given by
the discoverer of hitherto unknown
bit of Syriac literature, Rendel Har-
ris, ID. D., of Birmingham, Eng, and
at night in the common room of old
University College occurred the meet
ing in question addressed by the same
speaker
The atmosphere OF the place and
the character of the proceedings
combined to put an air of romance
about 1t all.
This is the poet Shelley's college.
next to the Oldest in oxford, possess
or of a reclining statue in white mar
ble of this gifted son of modern
times. Those who entered that nigh
by the lofty-arched, stone passage
way from the high street and crossed
the quadrangle to the right were
members of the oxford Historical
Theological Society and others who
came as their guests. The room they
entered was reached by another stone
passage way, and inside was bound
ed by oak-panelled walls. hung with
portraits and lighted by large crate
fire aided by a few shaded lamps
Here DR.. Harris sat at table in the
center, and ranged about him was
circle which contained some of the
leading theologians and linguists of
the times, all bent on exploration.
The instructive thirst for discov-
cry was at a high pitch that night
The leader recapitulated his popular
vi lht ulltl anu lntn INC
meeting was opened for questions
and debate. Many points as to date.
authorship, authenticity, as well as
literary and spiritual value, We're
dwelt upon with more or less intensi-
ty, and some tentative conclusions
We're reached.
The center of interest was little
yellowleaved volume written in the
ancient classic Syriac of Odessa. 1t
had lain on the shelf of DR.. Harris
library for several years awaiting in
vestigation. and not until January 4
was the true nature of its contents
discovered by it's fortunate owner.
1t proved to contain in the first part
n bit of literature up to that moment
unknown and even unthought-of by
modern Scholars Judaeo-Christiar
psalter made up of hymns of high
order of both literary and spiritua
value. The accompanying part wa
recognized by the scholar as n trans
lation of the well known psalms o
Solomon, Jewish writings in Greel
of much later date than the life
time of that wise potentate, yet il
accordance with common literar,
custom of the times, Issued unde
his name.
Internal evidence was found il
abundance to prove that the newly