Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-10-29
NORMAL INSTITUTE.
For Sunday School Workers

Held In Alma October % and 27.
The institute opened Monday after
noon promptly at 80 standard time.
After the devotional service, led by Rev.
Jones, State Field Superintendent E. X.
Mohr of Grand Rapids gave Bible
reading on "The Inspiration of the
Bible" He showed by carefully selected
passages from the Old and New Testa-
ments that the testimony of Scripture
| everywhere is for verbal inspiration.
The next topic was "The Better Use of
the Bible, treated of in three divisions
(a) In our Sunday School-Rev. l. Reed
of Shepherd said that the pastor should
see to it that each scholar had Bible,
while the S. S. superintendent should
love it, study it and see that the Bibles
are brought TO 5. S. CO. In Personal and
Family Devotion-Rev. II. w. Clough
showed how character is largely the
product of thought and how we should
study Gods thought, the holiest and
best. Study the Bible itself more, not
be satisfied with studying about it.
Experimen tai knowledge is necessary in
order TO teach. (c) In Soul Winning
Rey. NJ. d. Carrel declared this to be
the main object of Sunday Schools.
Teaching is means TO an end and the
Bible is the instrument Search for the
spiritual truth in each lesson for
the sake of those in your class, and study
each one in your class so as to apply the
truth intelligently. K. H. Mohr next
gave an illustrative ormal Bible lesson
under four headings, situation, surround
ing, plan and history, and around each
one Of these grouped several facts, show
ing how to teach Bible incidents and
truths in such a manner that the pupil
will remember it. Rev. VanOmmern of
Mt. Pleasant gave ten minute talk on
'How to prepare a Sunday School
Lesson" First, get at the body of the
lesson get the literal meaning and then
obtain the spiritual meaning through
that. Second, make practical applica-
ton of the truth by attention and
practice. Third, study the method of
presentation TO the class. In the absence
of Mr.. Wright, Rev. j. A. McGreaham
of st. Louis was called on to speak on the
topic, How to Teach S. S. Lesson"
If we make the lesson part of our
selves, we can interest the scholars.
Interest yourself in the pupils and find
out what kind of homes they have and
how they spend their Sundays, then
lives. Theology is thing of the head
but Religion is thing of the heart. D."
Take each child by himself and have
heart to heart talk with him. In the
evening the Song Service, led by
Charles Pettyjohn, was followed by
Scripture lesson and prayer by Rev. j.
s. McGreaham of Breckenridge. 1.-The
Book" as one of two great Sunday
School needs was treated by DR.. Bruske
in the absence of Rev. Mr.. Lynd. The
purpose of the Sunday School is to make
intelligent Christian men and women of
the boys and girls and all who are there
and fit them for citizenship in Gods
kingdom To do this the Bible must be
read, committed and studied in the
school. DIR. Bruske showed from per-
sonal experience that 1t is an excellent
plan for young people to memorize a
great deal of scripture. Rev. A. T.
Luther followed with a somewhat
lengthy but earnest appeal for more
spirituality in our teachers in order that
we may have spiritual teaching. Great
numbers were converted on the day of
Pentecost because of the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit. 1t is only the
Spirit of God that can touch the heart.
May He help US TO be spiritual teachers
of Spiritual Book.
Tuesday morning the Promise meet
ing was led by Rev. w. +. Jones, many
of the delegates quoting Bible promises.
The Bible Reading-topic, Service
was conducted by K. X. Mohr, Bible
passages being read by different workers.
From these the truths were gathered
that the Christian life means service,
that we are laborers together with God.
Jesus is our example He sends us out
to continue his work. The secret of
success is TO find out Gods plan for Us
and let him use us according to that
plan. This was followed by re-
ports from the county presidents
In the absence of the president for