The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-06-07


personal devotional reading of Jesus
from the Bible only at home, much
upon the Chautauqua order. Others
and then others doing likewise-all ac-
cording to the same method-the only
effectual and true method AS these en-
joy the blessed experience which they
are sure to have from such g reading,
they testify to others of it and induce
them to make the reading also. Thus
each reader in the movement becomes a
personal worker, taking up Jesus and
leading, perhaps, many to know Him
better, which is life to the soul and the
zone thing needful." So any one may
form a circle of readers at home or in
his or her community. There is no class
or study work connected with the move
ment necessitating regular meetings.
Thus people are not intimidated or CIV
en- chance for an excuse.
Since. however, you can never expect
very much of any people beyond what
is recognized and practiced. by the pas
tors and leaders in Christian work, as
like priest like people, according to the
old adage. One of the first things ne
cessary In introducing the movement,
reaching, Is that they to whom the peo-
pie naturally look for example and di-
rection become first interested In the
work. The people are not likely to adj
vance far beyond their leaders. Water
does not rise above its source
Hence, for example, the pastor of a
church, individually, or he with his wife
and children form little family circle,
and all read together In their family de-
votions or privately. Thus the children
are led by their parents to know Jesus
as they travel with Him from place to
place by reading, tracing the Journeys
from the manger to the cross, and ar
ranging thereon all the deeds and eXpe-
riences of the earthly life of Jesus in
their proper and sequential order until
all are known What the pastor and
his family does he may now encourage
for every individual member and family
of his church. He publicly inaugurates
the movement with perhaps 6 special
address, He appoints some one to serve
as registrar or secretary of the work, and
asks for the names of all who will join
with him in the reading personally and
with their families. A roll of honor is
thus formed and every one of his
church and congregation who is willing
reads with the pastor and his family
Systematically, according to the new
conStructional-m method. The
pastor announces the readings for each
week from the pulpit on Sunday, ever
keeping the matter before the people.
When the time has expired for COM
pleting the first course of reading, all
who have read and acquired a sequen-
tial knowledge of the journeys, deeds
and experiences in the life of Jesus sat
isfactorily to the pastor may receive
him beautiful diploma, suited
for seals, to be likewise conferred upon
the completion of subsequent readings.
Diplomas or seals may be conferred, If
desired at public commencement exer-
cises under the supervision of the pas
tor. .
What is said regarding the introduce
ton of the movement by the pastors
may refer also to other leaders in Chris
tan work relative to their respective in
terests.
Since this movement is as non-secta-
rian as the Sunday school, or rather. as |
Jesus is non-sectarian, and is for all |
churches and Christian organizations it |
has been Interchangeable moreover, |
t has been requested by pastors in 9TH
ar cities-that the Young Mems Chris |
tian association, which virtually be- |
ongs to all the churches, be as a kind |
Of headquarters for the movement, and |
then, as great city reading circle is
formed, composed of individuals, family |
eircles class circles and church circles, |
here Is provided a common place at
which any helps for the readings and |
Information may be secured and from
which as center the movement may
)e extended.
Finally, the movement thus estab-
ished, then with telling effect for good, |
here may be held each year an ami
'ersary convocation of all the churches
md Christian organizations of the city
md community represented in the
movement to honor Jesus by promoting
more thorough acquaintance with
lin.
A thoughtful person will recognize at
nee the helpful influence of such a
work. in turning the attention of many
lirectly to Jesus and causing them to
hink of Him. whom "to know" is life
ternal and the one thing needful. All
astors, leaders in Christian work. with
very one who loves and would honor |
esus, are cordially invited to cooperate
a the promotion Of this important
1ovement.