The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-10-01
FORTY -sBVEN THOUSAND MIN In
BIBLE UDAeShS.

Yesterday Sunday was observed
throughout North America as Bible
Study Rally Day by The Young Mems
Christian Associations, and by their
request, pastors spoke in very many
of the churches on Bible study. /,
was found that last year over 47,ooo
men OF the City railroad and studen.
Associations were enrolled in Bible
classes. This is tremendous gain
over previous years. Notwithstanding
much that has been said as TO the
Bible losing its popularity, 1t is not
shown to be SO with the Associations.
The college men alone will buy fully
40, 900 copies of Bible study books
through its International Committee
this year. These Associations have
nearly 1000 classes in 500 Colleges
and Universities. 3ro of these Col
lege Associations have undertaken to
double the number of men ENROLLED
in their classes. They are arranging
to hold s. Bible study institutes in a9
different States, with the help OF the
State and International and student
secretaries. These men expect to
secure Bible classes in every institu-
ton, both high and preparatory in
North America. In one University a
Bible study secretary is employed by
the Association who has aoo students
in 80 small group Bible classes.
Strange as it may seem, the most
enthusiastic Bible students, and some
of the best, are men employed in the
operating force of the railroads, who
study much between runs. From
their number have come many men
who spend much time in Bible teach
ing and preaching in manner that is
effective with their colleagues. In
Cleveland, Ohio, there are nearly
1000 men meeting each week in the
different shops to listen to Bible talks.
But a small proportion OF these are
church men, and many are foreigners.
This Association has been organizing
Office Bible classes, one meeting in
the directors room of the Prudential
Trust Company. Others meet at
boarding house, ard homes Of mem
bers.
Several of the Associations are
holding classes at midnight for the
night workers at large industrl~
plants. The Bible study hour in the
200 Summer Association camps,
usually the first hour in the morning,
is the most popular gathering of the
day. In many places business men
come direct from business at night
and spend an hour in lunch and Bible
study. The Associations have en-
gagged many of the leading Bible
students and pastors of the country,
and publish text books of the highest
character. In the Associations in
some cities dozen classes meet after
a popular address on Sunday after
noon, and after Bible study OF an
hour take lunch together and 60 from
the Association building to the
churches. One of the characteristic
Bible training classes held by the
Indian Association members at Car
Isle Indian School, met at four
O'Clock in the morning, as one of the
members said, $50 that only men
who are interested would come" A
member delegated to call the mem
bers each morning, would knock and
say, "It is time to be about your
Fathers business" Besides the mum.
Der of men enrolled In regular Bible
classes, number of thousand take
course in daily Bible reading. This
is followed by great many soldiers,
sailors and by railroad men.