The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-08
Mansehola ~ uras.
OUR BIBLE-CLASS.
16. Its effect p?

L
tive church parlor Its members possess
very little wealth, very little education; and
they would be considered by worldly people
very much lacking in cultivation and refine
ment. But although we have not these adj
vantages, l think the Spirit of God rests
upon us, and the Master himself meets with
us as we gather around the table in Aunt
Faiths plainly furnished cottageroom.
If the walls of that homely, little brown
house could speak, what stories they might
tell, of weary hearts soothed and comforted;
weak, stumbling Christians strengthened and
encouraged wandering children of the Faith
er brought back to the fold again, and new
soldiers enlisted in Chrst's army.
Said one, when we were deciding where
to hold our meeting, "Let US have it at
Aunt Faiths, where we have always met
during the week for prayer and singing.
You know how it is whenever We have at
tempted to meet at each others houses. We
cannot be as serious and attentive. The
boys and girls, somehow, will get laughing
and whispering together"
So we all gathered at Aunt Faiths one
evening. Then the question arose who
should be teacher.
go, Mary, of course" exclaimed several
voices; "she knows more and can talk bet
ter than the rest,
But what did Mary say herself? Nothing.
Only never before had she so realized her
own weakness and insufficiency, never before
felt SO utterly unworthy and unfit to be
teacher and leader of her comrades. How
ever, if Mary realized her weakness and un-
worthiness, she also realized more fully than
ever that the Master was near with his all
powerful, never failing help and strength,
and in that strength she went forward, fall
teringly, hesitatingly at first, but growing
stronger and more courageous as she pro-
ceeded. Mary herself had been one of the
first to propose having Bible class. She
had spoken to those of her companions who
were church-members, telling them that she
thought they ought to do more for the un-
converted among their friends, and offering
to take part in any good work that they
might decide upon. Now, having put her
hand to the plough, she dared not look
back. Suppose the soul of some brother or
sister should be hurt beyond healing, because
she had yielded to false shame or timidity
"No, will not be stumbling-block in the
way of Others" and with this resolve on
Mary's part, our first Bible lesson began.
The young people don't mind Aunt Faith,
who sits in her corner by the fire quietly lis
tening. The lesson is freely discussed, re-
ferences are faithfully looked up, and each
others thoughts and ideas brought to light.
OF course there are some two or three who
talk more than the rest. think it is al
ways SO. But we improve in this respect at
every meeting, and soon l hope there will be
no silent ones. 1t is wonderful how one
thought, feeling, or confession, frankly
spoken, will bring out corresponding one
from somebody else, and so it goes around
the circle
Then, the lesson finished, we generally
fasten upon some verse which has pleased
us the most, and talk for while about it.
We always sing and have prayer both before
and after the lesson. A young man or wo-
man leads in the prayer, fos we are small
company as yet, and the girls resolved that
they would help and encourage the boys by
taking an active part in prayer as well as
praise. Our Bible-classs already beginning
to make its influence felt in our little noun.
tain village.
Those of us who have taken part have
been more careful to adorn our Saviours
doctrine, and make our religion beautiful
and attractive to the unconverted ones. We
have had more strength to fight with Satan
and sin. We have learned the sweet, deep
meaning of the text: g can do all things,
through Christ, which strengthened me-"
There is more love and goodwill between
us, and less of jealousy and faulthnding.
We are learning what is meant by "provok-
ing one another unto love and good works"
We are learning how to "bear each others
burdens"
This little incident shows the love-spirit
that ia among US. A slight cloud had arisen