By Rev. D. A. MACFARLANE, M.A.
THE classes in Hebrew and Greek were begun here on 1st November, 1933. We had 80 meetings for regular class work, apart from days set apart for examination purposes. We met usually for 2 hours per day—usually more—and on 4 days per week except when there was some unavoidable break.
The students attending were Messrs. D. J. Macaskill, J. P. MacQueen and A. F. Mackay.
The first part of our report sets forth our courses of study in each of the above subjects. I. Hebrew. (1) It was necessary here to begin with the Alphabet. McFadyen’s Grammar was our text-book. As progress was made, it became almost a regular part of our work to give lists of words for translation from Hebrew to English, or vice versa, also to give unpointed paradigms for pointing. A very large part of the time given to Hebrew during the session was devoted to the Grammar. (2) In Hebrew reading, the Book of Ruth was taken up and read through, with Introduction, etc., based on Kennedy, Wright and Cox. The students were called upon to study minutely such subjects as those of the Goël, the customs bearing on gleaning and winnowing, etc., and to commit to memory the Jewish Calendar—also the subject of Jewish weights and measures—all which naturally came up in connection with the Book of Ruth.
The opening section of the Book of Genesis was at the close of the session discussed, and an account given them of useful books, for grammatical and other purposes, on that book.
(3) In Old Testament Introduction, Green on the “Canon” and on the “Text” were studied by them. In addition to the above, ten lectures based on Green’s “Higher Criticism of the Pentateuch” were given with a view to their having a grasp of the plan of the Pentateuch, as so excellently set forth by Green, and that they might adequately know, for their own
further study in due course, the views of the destructive Critical School, on the other hand.
II. Greek. This class met at first on two days a week. Latterly, except for special arrangements to get tolerably over the field, we held it only on one day and devoted three to Hebrew.
(1) In this department, the Book of Acts was begun at once. Our standard book of reference for introduction, notes, etc., was that of Rawson Lumby, but we sought to glean, as able, in the fields of Ramsay, J. A. Alexander, Davis, Smeaton, Allen, etc.
(2) Notes from Deissmann’s “Philology of Greek Bible” were given and part of the College Fund grant was used to buy 3 copies of the recent Robertson and Davis’ Hellenistic Grammar that they might study as far as time permitted the main changes between Classical and later colloquial Greek.
(3) Textual Criticism. Miller’s Guide was gone over—also the 2 vols. of Burgon and Miller up to about the half of vol. 2. Only the main features of these volumes were taken up. They were not expected to make any detailed study of points raised as there was not time for that during class-hours. Special attention was devoted to the great MSS.—B and Aleph—and for further study, they were directed to Scrivener, Canon Cook, Burgon’s “Revision Revised,” and Dr. Salmon’s genial but devastating work, “Some Criticism of the Revised Version, etc.”
(4) What, finally, may be perhaps classified as miscellaneous matter embraced such articles or lectures, as, e.g., one on the N. T. Canon, another on the Books of the New Testament, etc. This generally comprises the ground of study covered.
III. Report on the Students’ Work. The students applied themselves very satisfactorily to their studies. It may be well to remark that one of them who was not too well in health had to exercise care against overstrain, but nevertheless the results were most satisfactory and are elsewhere reported. Mr. A. F. MacKay took first place in both departments.
I reported once and again to the Training of the Ministry Committee on matters which were necessary, for their advice and guidance. We have much cause of gratitude to the Most High for the large measure of health we all enjoyed.
I would add, in conclusion, that perhaps the students were asked to take services somewhat too frequently during the session, but the circumstances were special, owing to the Rev. F. MacLeod being in Canada, etc.