The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-08


OF the convention OF the Y. M. c. A.
were continued throughout today. The
morning session opened at $3.50 o'clock
with an open parliament led by Don o.
Shelton, OF New York city. secretary OF
the religious work department of the In
ternational committee OF the Y. NJ. G. A.
Mr.. Shelton conducted the first half
hour and dwelt nrst on the exceeding
great proftableness of Bible study. 1T is
by the increasing knowledge OF God,
through the study OF His word that the
character grows taller, broader and firm
err"
Mr. Shelton then gave four reasons why
every association represented In the con-
vention should aggressvely seek 10 pro-
mote Bible study among the members this
present season. These reasons were: LIST,
''the growing knowledge of God, which
results from the right sort OF study OF
the Bible, there comes a fuller under
standing OF the will OF God. That young
men may know and do the will OF God,
that Is the essential thing; second. by
knowledge OF Him and His will comes
The abfffry 10 walk worthy of Him into
all pleasing; third. knowledge OF God and
OF His will increases capacity for infiuen-
tial Christian living No man can become
a positive aggressive Christian force
without such knowledge: fourth, there
will come more and more into the indi-
vidual life OF the Bible student the accent
of conviction and power With the gentler
Christian graces there will come the fer
vor and courage OF those who know whom
they have believed More and more with
In and through the faithful Bible student
will be manifested the power of the Spir-
Il OF God. Where the living, energetic
word goes. His power goes
Mr.. Shelton then took up the practical
question. How can the Bible study en-
rollment be largely increased the coming
year? He said that the enrolment In BIZ
BILE classes In Massachusetts, and Rhode
Island last year was 1884. Practical plans
for largely increasing this enrolment
were then fully discussed. Among the
practical suggestions offered were the
following: First, Invite every active mem
ber. heartily and personally. to Join a
Bible class: second. set high and def
Mite mark for the enrolment; third, have
several Bible classes. 80 that many men
may be appealed to: fourth, establish
classes at the homes OF Christian busi-
ness men for young men living In the
neighhorhood."
Mr.. Shelton then took up the topic.
Personal Work" He referred TO the
striking passage In the Song CT Songs
q. 81: They made me keeper OF the Vine
yards; but mine own vineyard have l not
Kept. lie eaid GO0 mas given eacn tnflS-
tian man vineyard for which He will
hold him responsible Secondly, unless ev-
cry Christian man keeps his own vine
yard II will go 10 decay. Mr.. Shelton said
that the association has no more binding
responsibility than that of leading Chris
tian men TO use their personal influence
20 lead other men TO faith I'm Christ.
Among the questions discussed by Mr..
Shelton and the convention were these:
''u) What do we mean by personal work.
Effort on the part OF one man 10 lead
another TO faith In Christ and into MEM
bership IN the Church OF Christ (2) Why
should there be personal work organ
fzation I'm every association? BY Il n
larger number of men may be trained 70
put forth intelligent individual effort for
the salvation OF thei- fellows. The mem
bers Of such group can pray and con-
fer together regarding the best ways OF
approaching, influencing and following up
young men. (O What should be the spe-
cific work OF the personal workers
group? To meet regularly for Bible
study; TO engage prayerfully and earnest
ly In the doing OF personal work; to con-
fer together respecting the men for whom
personal effort Is being made: and 10 be
present at the association evangelistic
meetings for the purpose OF becoming
personally acquainted with induirers. IN
order that they may he introduced 20
the pastor OF the church OF their choice
and be brought into contact with Chris
tian men. In closing Mr. Shelton strong
" recommended DIR. II. Clay TrumbuITs
new book. individual Effort for Indivi-
duals." He said that Il Is one OF the most
ouickenlng and helpful books OF modern
times.
ON BIBLE STUDY.
Al the close OF Mr. sheiton's talk prav-
sr was offered by Mr.. Cray OF Westied.
Mass. after which Mr.. Augustus Nash
Of Cleveland. Ohio. "A prominent Y NJ G.
A. worker, gave an earnest talk on Bible
st1dy and shop meetings. Mr. Nash ex-
planned the methods OF reaching the men
IN sne shops by the Y NJ G. A
He described also the character and
Dement'S 90 he derived from the "shop
clubs" formed under the direction OF the
Y. NJ. C. A.. and the character of the
evangelistic meetings held among the
men. Make your association buildings
on Sunday afternoon the most attractN.
place In the whole city" he said "and
90 draw the men there on Sunday AFTER
noon. Call Il Sunday club II you Will
Open the building at o'clock and hold
sort OF reception with orchestral and
other music and, after this. have religi-
Gus addresses. closing promptly az
o'clock; then from 10 40 have another
social hour and music and after this
from 4:3o to $50 get the men into groups
for Bible study, after which let a sub
sfantiai supper be served for 10 cents as
fs done IN Cleveland" These were some
OF the practical ways which Mr. Nash
advised 70 reach men and lead them 90
better lives.
During the address ne was asked many