The Washington herald., 1909-07-04
BIBLICAL INSTITUTE
FOUNDED At ROME
Plus X Issues Apostolic Let
ter of Great Import.
FOR STUDY OF SACRED BOOKS
Archaeology, History, PhiIOIOgy and
Interpretation VIII BE Taken Up
tures-Church DfEnitaries VIII At
tend TercentenarT Celebration.

New York, July d-PluS X. IN MS now
famous encyclieaI on Modernism. fore
shadowed the approaching establishment
Of a new international institution 10 pro
mote the study OF true science. He has
now issued an apostolic letter, in which
he announces the founding or the POntif-
ical Biblical Institute al Rome
He declares II 10 be his aim that there
may be in the City Of Rome a center for
the higher studies relating TO the Sacred
Books. designed 10 promote. in the most
efhcacious way possible. Biblical doctrine.
and all the studies connected with II.
The first Biblical matters 10 be treated
are those IN which the students are 10 be
prepared for undergoing the examina-
tons before the pontihcaI Biblical com
mission. already established by his holi-
ness.
To these shall be added lectures and ex-
erclses IN special questions relating 70 the
Interpretation. Introduction. archaeology.
history. geography, phflology. and other
studies appertaining 10 the Sacred Books
In addition there shall be a methodicai
and practical system Of training for the
students. 20 render them proficient and
pracuced in the scientific treatment OF
Biblical disputations. Moreover. TO pro
vide for the needs and utility OF many.
there shall be public conferences on Bib
hcal subjects.
Biblical Library n Feature.
Another very necessary feature Is 10
be the Biblical library. containing the
works. both ancient and modern. neces-
| sary or useful for insuring true proht in
I Biblical studies. and for the fruitful com
+ pletion Of the studies Of The professors
/ and students in the tnstitate. To this is
10 be added a Biblical museum. or col
lection Of objects which may appear 10
/ be gseful Tor illustrating the Sacred
I ScHptures and Biblical antiquities
/ The third means shall be a series OF
/ writings 10 be promulgated IN the name
and by the authority OF the institute.
/ some OF them dealing with erudite in
vestigations; others composed for the de-
/ fense Of Catholic truth concerning the
/ Sacred Books. and others designed "a
! propag gate far and wide sound teaching
on Biblical matters.
The president OF the institute is nomi-
mated by the supreme pontiff. on the re-
port Of the general Of the Society o.
Jesus who shall propose 20 him three
4 candidates FOR the Office. The ordinary
professors are 10 be nominated by thl
! general OF the Society Of Jesus. with the
! consent OF the Apostolic See
The youths engaged in Biblical studies
{ IN the institute may belong 10 three
( classes: alumni. properly SO called; audi
torres. inscribed on the lists: and free
guests, or hospites.
Regular Course Of studies.
All the alumni are 20 follow reguIarI,
the course OF studies in The institute s.
as TO prepare themselves for taking Tn
examinations before the PonudcaI Bi5uca
I Commission. As aUditores. may be in
scribed those who have finished the ful
course Of philosophy and theology. Ad-
mission 20 the lectures shall De open "a
other students as free guests.
The library shall contain especially The
/ works OF the holy fathers and othel
Catholic interpreters and Of the more dis
tinguished non-CathoIic writer's on BibIi-
cal studies. Special attention shall bc
\ devoted n the formation or the Hbrar,
10 the principal encycl0pa aedias and al
the more modern periodicals concernIns
Biblical matters.
II viii be seen that the new institute
supplements and completes. as il We're
the work OF the PonudcaI Biblical Com
mission. and prepares students 10 takC
4 che exceedingly difficult degree of doctor
OF Sacred Scripture which the commits
sion cOufers.
Thus the Catholic church throws hei
powerful influence into the breach FOR
the maintenance OF the respect due &
the Holy Bible just at the moment wher
the so-called higher criticism seeks tC
tear il all to shreds and tatters.
DiEnitaries 20 Be There.
An appropriate feature Of the coming
itercentenary celebration OF the discovery
Of Lake Champlsin, July 70 10, viii be
the important share which the oficia
programme Of the celebration comedies tc