terest, and our comments may properly be brief. The etymology is wonderfully complete, and the syntax fuller than previous books in the series would have led us to expect. After this there follow thirty pages of paradigms, clearly and scientifically arranged, in which all important forms of the language are represented by their types. The chrestomathy is disappointing, containing only two selections, covering in all but six pages. The first, a good specimen of easy Assyrian style, is from Asurbanipal's campaign against the Manneans, published in V. R. 2, while the second, a selection from Sennacherib's campaign against the Cosseans, from I. R. 37, serves to illustrate a more difficult type of writing. Delitzsch apologizes in his preface for this brevity, but gives no satisfactory explanation. Every other book in the series is immeasurably better supplied with material for reading than this grammar, and Assyrian is the language where above all others a good introduction to translation was necessary.

We have told, in outline, the story of that brilliant series of investigations by which a people have been restored to history, a literature to our libraries, and a language to the families of human speech. And the end is not yet. Assyriology has laid history and philology under deep obligations already, but it has yet greater secrets to tell in the near future. This present

sketch will have fulfilled its mission if it arouses some one to participation in the labor which must precede all future, as it has all past, discoveries, or if it gives to others an increased interest in the development of Assyrian study.

We have also, as far as the scope of this Review would allow, discussed the new grammar, reserving for another place an examination of detailed linguistic points. We have made some slight criticisms as to manner and method, but these have in no wise dimmed our enthusiasm for this masterly work. We congratulate Professor Delitzsch on the superb realization of his promises, and yet more do we congratulate Oriental students on this indispensable addition to their tool-chest.

Robert W. Rogers.

ART. V. THE ITINERANTS' CLUB.

Ar the closing session of the Dakota Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Huron, S. Dak., last October (1889), the presiding Bishop invited to the front the four classes of undergraduates. The young men "admitted on trial" took the first seat. On the second sat the class "continued on trial." Behind these were the "deacons of the first class;" and on the last seat the "seniors" of the Conference-the "deacons of the second class." The Secretary was then requested to read the names of the "Conference examiners" for the incoming year, including the examiners of candidates for "admission on trial" in the fall of 1890. All these, members of the Conference "faculty," at the request of the Bishop occupied places on the platform. The "class of the first year" and their examiners then stood up and were introduced to each other. The other classes were in the same way permitted to look into the faces of their respective "committees on examination." Thus all the "theological students" of the Dakota Conference were duly presented to the Conference "faculty." The Bishop gave a brief address to the young men on their duties as "students," the importance of beginning at once their preparation for the next year's examination, and of doing the work conscientiously and thoroughly. Resolutions were adopted organizing an Itinerants' Club, appointing a committee of one from each class to draw up plans and arrange for meetings for the coming year. The young men and their examiners received inspiration from the new organization, and left the seat of the Conference determined to do worthy and satisfactory work between this and the coming together next October. It was encouraging to the "effective elders" to see this fine body of young men-the ministers of to-morrow-enlisting with such force of resolve and enthusiasm in a movement for better work by better workmen.

The action of the Dakota Conference theological classes is only one of a series of recent projects for promoting higher ministerial education under Conference auspices. The Itinerants' Club, held in Lexington, Ky., April 9-17, 1889, was

the first of this series. More than eighty ministers were in attendance for ten days. Dr. Arthur Edwards, of the Northwestern Advocate, who was present, says:

The main body of those who attended are under-graduates in the Conference. . . . The programme might easily be imagined by those who should hear that for good and sufficient reasons the course in a theological seminary must be pressed into eight days. . . . It was far more than an ordinary Ministers' Institute, for the club members came as confessed pupils, and nearly all the lecturers attended as expert, interested, and experienced teachers. . . . The enthusiasm rose almost to the shouting point from the first. Never have we seen a convention, class, club, or Conference more a success from the first prayer to the benediction. The club aims to magnify the Conference studies of Conference graduates.

Another "club" of the same character was held a month later at Mt. Union College, Alliance, O. This club furnished an admirable illustration of what an educational institution may do in the cause of ministerial improvement for the members of patronizing Conferences, and for the young men already in the institution who expect to devote their lives to the ministry. The club at Mt. Union was well attended, and in a series of spirited conversations the following topics were discussed: "The Conference Course of Study-How Use; How Improve; How Employ by Colleges and Seminaries, by Assemblies and Itinerants' Clubs;" "Post-graduate Reading Courses;"Church Music;" "The Minister as a Man of Church Business-Keeping Church Records, Making Church Reports, Superintending Church Repairs, Buildings," etc.; "the American people, and other people in America, whom we should Know and Evangelize and Elevate;" "Social Meetings of Believers, Class-meetings, Religious Conversations, Cottage Prayer-meetings," etc. After the session of the club at Mt. Union College, a chair was endowed in that institution which aims by regular classes, and by quarterly and semi-annual gathcrings at the college of ministers within easy reach, (1) to promote the more thorough prosecution of the Conference courses of study; (2) to encourage the more critical study (professional and devotional) of the English Bible; (3) to promote among ministers the more careful and scientific study of the American people of all classes-their opinions, habits,

perils, needs, how to approach them, how win them to Christ, etc.; (4) to bring the under-graduates of the Conference and of neighboring Conferences together as frequently and for as long a time as possible during the Conference year.

At the Waseca (Minn.) Assembly, last summer, an Itinerants' Club was held on the general plan of that at Lexington. Fifty-two ministers were present. Several young men passed their Conference examinations, the committees of the Conference being present. A permanent organization was effected. In pursuance of suggestions made by the presiding bishop at the South-west Kansas Conference, last March, "the class of 93, being the class received on trial, met at the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and organized by electing Matthew T. Long, President; Steven T. Sulliger, Secretary and Treasurer. The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That we will hold a meeting for self-examination on Conference studies at the appointment of the brother having charge nearest Hutchinson on the Thursday preceding the next Conference.

Resolved, That we will further endeavor to keep up a classspirit by special prayer for each other, and by keeping ourselves posted in regard to the work of each other through our secretary.

On Sunday afternoon the class met and solemnly consecrated themselves and their all to God and his service, prayed with each other, told their Christian experience, and wished each other "God speed."

The "class of the second year," in the same Conference, "organized for mutual assistance by electing II. C. Wharton, President, and I. B. Case and J. F. Irwin, Secretaries. The object is to help each other. The class will meet at Nickerson and spend five days in the review of their studies some time during the year by order of the class." One of the classes met, before the last session of the South-west Kansas Conference, in a town near the seat of the Conference, spending a week in study, preaching in the evening, and holding special evangelizing services. During the week of this study and preaching twenty-five souls professed conversion. This was a beautiful blending of educational and spiritual work.

It is in pursuance of the same suggestions that the Southwest Kansas College, at Winfield, has announced that it will

give instruction during the coming year in all the branches required of candidates for admission to the Annual Conference; a series of lectures will be delivered to classes by members of the South-west Kansas Conference, as follows: "Church Law," Rev. T. S. Hodgson; "History of the Methodist Episcopal Church," Rev. R. A. Carnine; "Church Doctrines," Rev. C. E. Beach; "Methods of Church Work," Rev. L. M. Hartley; "Sunday-school Work," Rev. J. W. Anderson.

Under date of October 3, 1889, the Rev. G. G. Keith, of Larrabec, Iowa, writes:

A class of twenty-two young men united with our North-west Iowa Conference this year, and we have organized a club. Our plan is to have an annual meeting for the study of the Conference course previous to the examinations at our Annual Conference.

An Itinerants' Club was advertised to be held in St. Joseph, Mo., December 16-20, 1889. The announcement says:

The course

This is to be a school in which all are students. in Biblical Introduction and Systematic Theology will be limited to the course for the first and second years for probationers in the Annual Conference. Lessons are announced to be given in Biblical Introduction, in Systematic Theology, in Church History, in Homiletics, in Rhetoric, Logic, etc., with "Conversations" on "How to Study," the "Pastoral Work," "Pulpit Manners,' "Woman's Work in the Church," "How to Conduct Prayer and Other Social Meetings," "Our Benevolences," etc.

A general interest has thus been awakened on the subject of Conference study. The young men clamor for such direction as the Itinerants' Club provides. In making a report of one of the clubs, one of our most efficient pastors says:

The organization of correspondence classes for the special benefit of those pursuing the course of study will be proposed in this way: Students can be grouped in regular correspondence with instructors during the year. This will stimulate diligence in study, quicken thought, and promote fraternal sympathy and helpfulness.

Dr. Fry, of the Central Christian Advocate, says, in reporting some of these movements:

Few young men admitted on trial into our Conferences have had a college education, or have studied at one of our theological schools. During the first four years of their ministry, at the very time when, on account of inexperience in ministerial and pastoral work, the greatest demands are made upon them, they must give attention to the Conference studies. The result is, that