University of Virginia Library


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LITERARY SOCIETIES.

There are two Literary Societies of long standing—the Jefferson Society
and the Washington Society—connected with the University. They meet
weekly in their respective halls and hold public exhibitions at intervals during
the session and at its close. The two Societies jointly maintain the University
Magazine,
and annually invite some distinguished orator to deliver an
address before them in the Public Hall at the close of the session. In each
Society medals are given—one to the best debater, another to the best orator,
and a third medal is awarded for the best original contribution to the University
Magazine
by a member of either Society. The Temperance Union also,
in addition to its ordinary functions, is frequently organized as a debating society,
and confers medals or other valuable prizes.

MEDALISTS.

1891-'92.

         
Jefferson Society Orator,  Lewis H. Machen, Virginia. 
Jefferson Society Debater, 
University Magazine Medalist,  Charles T. Lassiter, Virginia. 
Washington Society Orator,  Harris L. Moss, Virginia. 
Washington Society Debater,  Robert E. Cofer, Texas. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

This was founded in 1858, and is the oldest of the College Christian Associations.
Its object is to promote the religious and moral welfare of the
students by furnishing opportunities for religious work in and near the University,
and facilities for various kinds of healthful recreation and instruction.
Under the former head it conducts Sunday-schools at the University and among
the poor of the neighboring mountains, carries on a system of central and district
weekly prayer-meetings, and arranges for courses of Bible-study under the
direction of competent and experienced teachers. Under the latter head it
publishes a compact and useful Students' Hand-Book to the University, secures
periodical public lectures and discourses, conducts the Students' Reading
Room,
and has recently purchased and put into a high state of improvement a
valuable field near the Fayerweather Gymnasium as a free Campus for athletic
sports. The Students' Reading-Room is convenient of access, comfortably
arranged and furnished, and supplied with a large selection of the best periodical
literature. It is open to all members of the University upon the payment
of an annual fee of $2 to meet its current expenses. The Visitors and the


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Faculty of the University heartily commend the good work of this Association
to the students of the University, all of whom are invited to unite in its membership
and privileges.

The following is the programme of courses in Bible-study for 1893-'94:

1. History and Teachings of the New Testament, especially as contained in the Gospels
and the Acts of the Apostles. Prof. John B. Minor.

2. Book of Job, as an independent production and in its relation to the Old and New Testaments.
Prof. Francis H. Smith.

3. Life and Times of Jesus our Lord. Prof. Noah K. Davis.

4. Book of Jonah, in its poetical, historical and religious aspects, with side-lights on and
from the Psalms. Prof. Schete DeVere.

5. New Testament Greek; a critical study of one of the Gospels, with exegetical notes
and comparison of parallel passages. Prof. James M. Garnett.

6. The Bible and Missions; outline studies of the commands, promises and declarations
concerning the spread of Jehovah-worship through the Jews to the Heathen. Dr. A.
Damer Drew.

A course for Sunday-school teachers on the preparation of the International Lessons
will also be provided, if practicable. One or more training classes for Christian Workers
will also be formed, the members pledging themselves to regular attendance and a certain
amount of work.

The courses are open to all students of the University without charge. Each will occupy
one hour a week, usually on Sunday. Regularity in attendance will be recommended
and expected. Any modifications necessary in the programme will be announced at the beginning
of the session.

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

This Society has its membership mainly among the Professors, Instructors,
and Post-graduate students of the University. It meets monthly for the reading
of papers of scientific and literary interest, the exhibition of experiments,
and discussion. All members of the University are eligible to membership.
There are no initiation fees or annual dues. The following is the list of papers
presented during 1892:

                           
DeMott, C. L.,  On Some Aluminium Tests. 
Dinwiddie, A. B.,  Indirect Discourse in Thucydides. 
Dunnington, F. P.,  Analysis of Tschernozem or Black Soil from Russia and Manitoba. 
Dunnington, F. P.,  The Composition of Certain Washing Powders. 
Echols, W. H.,  On Certain Determinant Forms and their Applications. 
Findlay, C. R. L.,  A Recently Discovered Compound of Nickel with Carbon Monoxide. 
Henneman, J. B.,  On the Spirit of Research and its Application to Virginian History. 
Humphreys, M. W.,  On Certain Errors in Standard Greek Grammars. 
Johnson, C. J.,  Assyriology and its Influence on Oriental Research. 
Mallet, J. W.,  The Rate of Evaporation of Musk. 
Mallet, J. W.,  On the Evidence of Interaction of Matter in the Solid State. 
Radford, R. S.,  The Historical Present in Series. 
Smith, F. H.,  Address as Retiring President. The Specialization of Scientific Research
considered as to some of its Possible Results.
 
Stone, O.,  Recent Observations of Mars.