Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-13

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The distinguishing characte'ise'o " i,s
rantIs, Young Peoples plpVh -
s,,d,, courses. popularity known 40
Christian Culture course IL on,rses
IN, I'VE q q. c. These study courses
sun ~ ,ootslv I'm the Baptist Union, the
agp organ Of the Baptist Young rSo-
- trn,on OF America. They are thc
sis.1,ct contribution that the Bapllst
young PEOPLES Union has mace 10 lne
young people's movement in general
Thev are the best system Of general oe-
nominational training yet devised. ~
union can do the best work without put
suing them. The Bible Readers Course
IS for home reading. The Sacred Liter@-
ture and Conquest Missionary courses
are for class work.
CULTURE FOR SERVICE.
These courses are In addition TO the
weekly devotional service. They furnish
a theological course without attending
theological school. Their motto is, "Cui-
ture for Service"
Great emphasis is laid on these studles'
Every effort is made TO induce unions 10
pursue them. They are recognized as the
thing which insures the permanency Oh tile
work. While kindred organizations III
creasing in numbers, as shown by theH
annual conventions, the Baptist Young
PEOPLES Union has been steadlly grow
ing. This Is thought TO be due 10 the
Christian culture courses, At the close
of each year examination questions are
sent from headquarters and those VINO
desire stand the examination. The num-
Der of examinations taken this past year
was about $500 This, of course, rep
resents only a part of the number who
actually pursued the studies. Many, Tor
various reasons do not take the eXami-
nation. 1t is impossible TO tell how far
reaching the studies have BEEN
a. The Christian-culture courses are d.
vided into the senior and Junior. The ju-
Nor takes the same courses as the senior,
outlined above, but adapted to younger
people.
The junior courses, as thus outlined,
provide for the reading Of several books
OF Scripture, the memorizing Of some OF
the choicest portions, the fixing in the
young mind of many of the principal
events and personages Of the Scriptures.
and an elementary acquaintance with
the history and work Of missions. In the
hands of experienced and earnest leaders
they can hardly fail to be Of large profit.
Taken I'm connection with the senior
work. toward which they lead, they fur
nish a progressive series of studies COW
ering eight years.
These Junior studies appear I'm the Jul
nior Baptist Union. a monthly paper.
Examinations are taken by the Juniors
as by the seniors. Three senior prize ban
ners are awarded annually, one IN eacn
course. to the State or province whose
examination papers, as tested by the an
nounced standard of award, entitle IL 70
first place A fourth banner Is also
awarded to the State or province whose
examination papers maintain the highest
average of excellence in the three courses.
The prize banner awarded TO any state
or province is placed in the custody OF
the local society, within the State or pro-
vince. whose papers, as tested by the an
nounced standard Of award, enttle It to
first place.
Similar banners are awarded to the
Junior unions.
The Baptist Union has the largest cir
culation Of any Baptist paper in me
world. Besides the study courses, it con-
tains each week letters from the field,
matters Of interest TO the work besides
general and select reading. The genral
secretary of the Baptist Young People
Union Association IS its editor. II Is pun
ished at the headquarters Of the organl-
cation at Chicago.
Topic-cards. leaflets, and other helpful
Information regarding the organization
and conduct OF a Baptist Young People
Union Society are also published also az
headquarters.
SUBJECT TO THE CHURCH.
The BAPTIST Young Peoples Union, as
B.r no n
in all respects to the Church. 1t is simply
ono of the factors Of the Church, as IS
the Sunday school. 1t has a much-needed
work TO perform. Ii is never organized,
except by consent OF the church, and its
conduct is at all times subject 10 the con-
troll OF the church. 1t was feared by
some at the beginning that the Baptist
Young Peoples Union would dominate or
"run away with" the Church. But il was
organized upon an entirely different prtn-
clple, and experience has shown that the
difficulty IS 10 keep the union alive and
flourishng, rather than to hold II IN
bounds There are unions in every state
and Territory in the United States and
I'm Canada. Nearly every State has its
State organization. The number Of unions
in the territory OF the convention is est-
mated at about three quarters Of mil
lion.
Rev. e. T.. Chivers, d. D., of Chicago,
IS general secretary of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union Association. He is editor
of the Baptist Union, besides doing a
vast amount Of field work and other work
pertaining TO his office. He is well known
i'm all parts of North America, his labors
having brought him into personal contact
with all sections of the country. He Is a
wise and conservative leader and greatly
beloved.
There have been only two general secre-
taries Rev. Frank Il. wilkins, ID. d., was
secretary for the first six years And no
history, however short, would be allow
able that did not mention DR.. wilkins
and his work He, more than any other
individual, gave form and shape to the
great organization, and his name is in
separately associated with It. He was
succeeded three years ago by DR.. Chivers.
John III. Chapman, Esq. OF Chicago,
has been president Of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union Association from its or
ganiZation. He is a wealthy merchant or
that city, and has given much Of his
time and means to the work. no other
name is ever considered for the presi-
dcncy.
The officers of The convention are a
president, three vice-presidents record
ing secretary, and treasurer. There is also
an Executive Committee and Board OF
Managers The latter consists OF one
member from each State, Territory, or
provinces
For convenience the territory Is divided
into four great departments. The Depart
ment of the North-division color gold;
Department of the South-division color
green; Department of the West-division
color blue; Department Of Canada-divis-
ION cOlnr rcd