<persName ref="http://d-nb.info/gnd/118699385">Johann Gottfried Gurlitt</persName>, Observations Concerning Preparatory Instruction for the University, especially in Hebrew, <placeName ref="http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7005289">Hamburg</placeName>, <date when="1810">1810</date> in: Notice of Lectures in the <orgName ref="http://d-nb.info/gnd/82892-0">Academic High School of <placeName ref="http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7005289">Hamburg</placeName></orgName><note type="editorial" place="foot"><foreign xml:lang="de"><orgName ref="http://d-nb.info/gnd/82892-0">akademisches Gymnasium</orgName></foreign></note>, held from <date when="1809-04">Easter 1809</date> until <date when="1810-04">Easter 1810</date>, as well as Announcement of Lectures from <date when="1810-04">Easter 1810</date> until <date when="1811-04">Easter 1811</date>, <placeName ref="http://vocab.getty.edu/tgn/7005289">Hamburg</placeName> <date when="1810">1810</date>, pp. 3-16, here pp. 9-10. Richard S. Levy Institute for the History of the German Jewsredaktion@juedische-geschichte-online.net
Beim Schlump 83, 20144 Hamburg

With the kind permission of State Archive Hamburg.

jgo:source-46 Vorwort Johann Gottfried Gurlitt, Vorlesungsverzeichnis Akademisches GymnasiumJohann Gottfried GurlittHamburg1810Staatsarchiv HamburgB-StAHH, Bibliothek, A 559/0009 EnglishSource:Textdeu

Certainly, no one will deny that here, as in the Johanneum, many ways and means can be thought of to allow for improve-ment; however, up to now both institutes have rendered what theirpowers will allow. We can assert without pretension, I believe,that through these three teaching institutes, even in their present state,we can give the pupils of our city and region the opportunity for apurposeful and complete education to prepare them for the academy,one as good as in other famous preparatory institutions in Germany, ifonly the diligence and application of their powers are not lackingwith which to withstand the pleasures a great city has tooffer, and if their elders or guardians also remain true to the laudable old customs ofHamburg by not hurrying to send their sons and chargesto the academy prematurely. – We, and our posterity, can causeto happen much that is splendid in the schooling of our studyingyouth toward scholarliness, virtue, and religiosity, as well as for the purposefulinstruction and education that will prepare the various classes in commonbusiness dealings, the arts, and crafts that will ensue for certain young people. God,from Whom all will and deed flow, preserve in us and our posteritythe pure will, the active strength, and the noble freedom of thespirit and of the state!----------

Since I am entrusted with the exegesis of the Old Testament in our AcademicHigh Schoolakademische Gymnasium, it is allowed me here to say a few words about some of the causesof the neglect of Hebrew language instruction in academic preparatory institutionsand the consequent mistakes in the introductory instruction of the language, for the sakeof the many pupils failing to make significant progress in the study of this language and thereby in the understanding of the worthy rem-nants of Hebrew antiquity.

There was a time when candidates for church teaching posts inmany consistoriesAdministrative units of the Lutheran state churches. could petition to have the examination in Hebrew completely waived.That was the case in several regions; that it was so then and is so now in Prussia,I know with certainty. In many places, however, where the examination was not altogether excused, it was too easy to get done with; thecandidate had only to translate a single biblical passage and he was, moreover,prompted ahead of time with the root words. All this was overlooked by ministers ofreligious affairs or even sanctioned by them. Small wonder then, if only thoseambitious for honor and who want to excel over others in the state secondaryschool and candidate’s examinations learn this language; the others either learn itnot at all or pursue it very lackadaisically!