The Washington times., 1895-04-25

Gen. John Eaton, president OF the society,
occupied the chair, aud on the platform
with him Were DIR. George b. Patch, Rev.
Hugh Johnson, ID. D., Mfr c. w Needliam,
Mr II. b. Macfarland, Dr. A. j Church, DR..
Muir, and DR.. w. 4. Harris, the orator Of
the evening
= BIBLE AND SOCIOLOGY.
DIR. Harris theme was "The Bible and
Sociology" Il subject which he handled
with great care.
He said i'll part:
''rhe chosen people appear first in the
social position OF numads, pastuFing their
herds Of cattle on such pasture grounds as
South western Asia furnishes. This period
comes 10 an end with the beginning OF the
sojourn in Egypt, where the chosen peo-
pie are submitted to tie Influence OF a
higher civilization.
"After The Egyptian bondage the peo-
pie of Israel soon become aericultucists
and develop city civilizations. In the
beginning, their government was patri-
archal. IN Palestine a government by
kings is established Then comes the
BabyIonian captivity, with its severe les
sons. The restora ton follows, ana in due
time the first Roman conquest. The full
ness of time had come and The Savior is
horn in Bethlehem. The new dispensauon
begins.
"In both old and new dispensations there
prevails hunger for immediate commun-
ION OF the soul with God. Humanity learns
through the tutelaSe OF the chosen people
this doctrine OF the elevation of personal =
ity above Elere nature. Only the infinite soul
is To be worshiped and tine infinite person,
the original OF which the human soul is an
image. The revelation OF personality is not
ia nature, but in human institutions.
THE NEW DISP ENSATION.
"This is the new dispensation The old
dispensatioD revealed the personality of
God in institutions, the highest and culnIi-
mating institution being the infinite, inyis-
iblc church, celebrated in the divinely in
spired Book OF Revelations.
1.-The Christian Church, with its idea OF
divine grace, gradually brings all institu-
tions into conformity with it, and thus
perIects the social fabric of man. Each
person comes To participate in The kBoWl :
edge, experience and wisdom o { the race. and
share in its material productions Each
person likewise contributes his mite To the
whole. This is rendered poSsi bic by the
Christian idea OF the unity of all men in
the highest institution, the church,
The report of tie secretary outlines the
purpose of the society TO be:
ITO awaken Increased interest in the
subject OF religious education in all its
phases. To encourage scholars in the study
OF mans spiritual nature with tie view
to ascertain the laws by which it is gov
erDed, and the methods of its unfolding in
the various PERIODS OF life, with the ulti-
mate purpose of deysng a system of
spiritual culture that shall begin in early
childhood and continue to the latest age.
To devise improved methods OF Bible study
and teaching for spiritual profit, and TO
adapt these TO the home. the Sunday school
and the college. To collect and preserve
at the National Capital, documentary and
other information OF all systems of religious
instruction employed in this country ard
foreign lands, the same to be accessible
to the general public"
SOCIETY NUMBERS THOUSANDS.
The society has foothoId in thirty six
States, two proviuceso of Canada, the Republic
of Mexico, aud two OF the countries Of
Europe Its membership, consisting of
fellows, students. and patrons, the sccretary
reports, now numbers many thousands of
an denominations, and It~has attempted all
it proposed aud failed in nothing.
There are in the student section, in round
numbers, 16 600 persons. This includes
Sunday school teachers in training, Bible
readers, children in the memory course, and
registered readers OF newspapers notes.
Pursuant to previous agreement, meetings
for the introduction of the society's plans,
have been held in Northampton, Mass,
Norfolk, Va, Lafayette, Ind, Nashville,
Teun, and Pensacola, Fla.
An extended series of meetings will be
held in Asheyille, N. c., beginning July
Is, to defray the expenses of which the
citizens of the city pledged to pay 81 900.
The meetings VIII be continued for period
covering four weeks.
A new department, styled 1.-The Child
Culture Club" is to he organized during
-1..1 l..l.r.
be to promote Christian nurture of child
hood in the homes. The president, aided
by the secretary, is instructed to form
supervising council for this club, composed
Of ladies whose piety, learning and po-
sition will command the confidence of
American motherhood, and this council
will arrange the details Of the club work.
The finances of the society were shown to
have been economically managed, the re-
ceipts for the year aggregatng $4,034.33;
disbursements, So, 3,e57.55 leaving a bal
ance in the treasury Of $96.78.
The lecture committee, consisting of
Mr. Justice Brewer, Postmaster General
Wilson, Judge w S. Cox, Judge William
NJ Springer, Judge Stanton j. Peele,
Henry B F Macfarland, A. B. Duvan, r. s.
Chew, F w. Vaughn, j. q. Thompson, and
B. f. Meyers, made report OF its work,
through Mr. Macfarland Five lectures
were provided for, three having already
been delivered The fourth was princi-
pal feature OF last evenings session, and
the last OF the course will be delivered on
the 9Th OF May, in the Metropolitan Metho
dist Episcopal church, by the Rev. DR..
Randolph III Mckim, rector of the Church
OF the Epiphany. His theme will be THE
Bible, unique among the Worlds Litera-
lures" He will be introduced by DR..
Peelle.
No charge is made for admission to these
lectures, dependence for support being had
upon voluntary contributions.
WILL EXTEND LECTURE SYSTEM.
1t is part of the plan of the committee
to arrange for similar lecture courses in
other cities on the general plan of the
university extension project 1t is pos
sible, based upon the popular demand, that
the lectures delivered here viii be Ie-
peated elsewhere.
A comprehensive idea OF the work of the
society, in one Of its main features, is
obtained from the report submitted by
George B. Patch. ID. D.. upon 1.-THE Bible
Readers Union.''
TIE report shows that seventeen of the
District churches are represented in the
uunion
There are four groups of readers who
meet monthly or oftener, each group by
ITSELF" said Dr. Patch. 'These groups
review their readings and confer. One
consists OF twelve young ladies, who meei
at the home of their Sunday school teacher;
another group OF ten meets in different