The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-11

still adhered TO the uniform one lesson
plan giving the reasons therefore
In closing the speaker said that the tu.
ture may be Judged by the past ana
briefly summa rized what the interna-
tional lessons had accomplished.
The present day he said. demands
recognition OF educational principles:
First, simpler and broader study.
Second dexeloping instead OF cram
ming
Third. sitting OF facts upon which or
from which truths are evolved.
Fourth. Philosophy OF sacred history
rather than dry facts as TO dates and
events
In forecast of the future the speaker
prophesied unity in diversity, or a UNI,
different text. He also prophesied IN
struction by experts and more time Tor
the teaching work. Thus would the Bible
be better understood, respected and
A discussion followed the text. after
which the afternoon session adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
The closing session OF the convention
was held in the Calvary church last
attendance. The chief feature OF this
session was an address by DR.. Blackall,
the speaker OF the afternoon, on the
In opening his theme DR.. Blackall re-
ferred to the alleged ignorance OF the
Bible on the part Of the majority or
persons. He believed. however. that the
knowledge OF the Bible was much greater
than % years ago and that the lack or
knowledge OF the Bible was due 10 the
Of teaching. also that we have too mar
row a view of the Book and have not
taken UP the study of the same by pc
RODS and relations , More9yeT S ,bis .hers S,,s Il
a lack of appreciation of the fact that
there are depths utterly profound; yet SO
simply told that person OF limited IN
telligence may understand.
Continuing the speaker explained that
the purpose of the Old Testament is the
preparation for Christ. and that when we
advance In thought. for we come TO an
understanding of the personality OF
Christ.
presentation of the Bible. pointing OUT
the fact that II is complete hook, IN
part history. in part story, in part piog-
raphy and chronology ana nah.r ,nas 'Ie ie
very beautiful.
The speaker briefly explained the his
torical and biographical methods OF pres
entation and also spoke at length or the
dramatic method life pictures" he said
which predomnate through the whole
book.
In illustration OF the dramatic form tie
speaker took UP the third chapter Of
Genesis and pointed out the elements
which form the drama In the Garden OF
Eden story.
AS ano:her illustration OF this dramatic
form DR.. Blackall explained the story
Of Naaman In the third chapter OF Kings,
and turning from the dramatic form he
next took up the poetic and pictorial form
referring to the story OF Ruth as the
poet,caI form and To the book OF job as
a grand epic OF suffering and righteous
ness.
Certain of the psalms the speaker char
acterized as 'colloquial.' notably the Nst
psalm.
Finally the speaker emphasized the
prophetic form of the Bible and closed
with the thought that the trend and pur-
pose OF the Book as a whole is first to
reveal God and second to perfect man
kind
Previous TO and AT the close Of the ad-
dress excellent music was rendered by
the choir of the church under the direc-
ton OF Mr.. Percy l.. Smith.
The chairman OF the committee on reso-
| lutions also presented the following reso-
! lution which was adopted:
Whereas, The Sunday school Is the most
/ important agency of the Christian church
/ In reaching the young, and has been
proving 80 mighty a factor In this direc-
! tion as the years have rolled by. and
] whereas our desire Is 10 make our
| Sunday schools more and more efficient
| both in point Of intelligence and service
] and
Whereas. The time is near az hand, II
| II has not already arrived. for an ad-
vance along tho lines Of methods and
manner of teaching. and for n better
adoption OF lessons material TO the needs
\ of the pupils in the various stages Of their
/ development
] Resolved. That we favor the adoption
/ OF n graded. uniform system Of lessons:
Resolved. That a copy of these resolu-
\ tons be forwarded TO the secretary OF
| international Session committee and q
the chairman of the International execu.
\ tive committee.
The convention adjourned at 9.S
, o'clock