Evening star., 1903-11-07

held the first of the week In the CoHsfe-
gational Church. November "a. and already
plans are being laid for next year Part
of the plan leading up to the convention
In the fall Is an institute, to be nelo some
time in February by the Primary Teachers
Union. at which prominent out-ot-to"n
primary workers will assist. While the
Sunday School Association is not a gov
ernmental body and does not enact leg
islation for it's constituent members, yet
its utterances are considered important as
voicing the sentiment of Sunday school
people. One of the most important of the
resolutions adopted by the convention was
one relating to the international uniform
lesson series, now in use by more tham
% 600 600 people of all denominations IN all
parts of the world.
The resolution referred to is to the effect
that I'VE recognize in the internauonai
uniform lesson movement the onward
march of real progress. The ndeilty' Juus-
ment and success with which the lesson
committee is performing task of great
difficulty, give occasion for our proiouhu
gratitude, and we believe that the same
plan may safely be continued, and with
growing acceptance and usefulness.
1--WE are glad that the plan embraces the
study of the whole Bible, and that en-
perience has shown 1t adapted to all ages
and classes. Among the results ol US
adoption and use we bring testimony u
the following:
First. Interest in Bible study is slim
uIated among young and old by the fact
that so many minds and hearts are at tne
same time occupied with the same truths;
Second. The system has called out the
efforts of able and consecrated writer's un-
till our lesson help literature Is marvellous
in its amount and richness.
Third. 1t is proving powerful 1nstru-
mentality for promoting unity ana CO.
operation among Christians. and we De,
lieve that it's adoption throughout an
Christendom will bring untold good to the
world
The chapter of the Daughters of the King
of St Marks Episcopal Church. corner OF
Sd and A streets southeast, has decloeo 70
take up 'home department work IN con-
nection with the Sunday school The OBJECT
will be to secure systematic study or the
Christian faith on the part of as many OF
the members of the parish as possible
One-half hours study week Will be asked
from all those who are enrolled IN the
home department.
one by one, it is said, the churches of the
city are taking up this phase of Sunday
school work, and the action of the St
Marks chapter is but an example OF the
general movement. In many instances the
necessity of calling upon large numbers OF
the church members has. it is claimed, i'm
peded the movement. visiting all has
been regarded as tedious and almost end
less undertaking, but by proper division
of the lists among large staffs OF visitors.
each individual of whom is thus required to
call on only ten twenty members
month or a quarter as the case may be,
this difficulty, it is said. has been consider
ably obviated. A large number of the
Protestant churches in this city and in
other American cities have taken up the
matter, and so important has this branch of
Sunday school labors become that it has
been recognized as distinct and essential
movement by the Sunday School Associa-
tion of the District of Columbia to the ex-
tent that special sessions were devoted to a
discussion of its problems at the annual
of the association, held this
week at the First Congregational Church.
1t is the intention of the Sunday school
workers of the District to do their best to
excite new interest in this matter, and it
is their hope that they will meet with un-
precedented success.
An encouraging feature of the movement,
in the minds of those most interested in it,
is the way in which the home students re-
ceive the lesson literature distributed to
them by the women visitors. 1t is said that
no difficulty is experienced in securing a
sincere and active membership, and that
many persons who cannot or will not at
tend Sunday schools will study the inter-
national BibleS1essons each week in their
homes and make satisfactory reports to
the visitors at stated intervals The depart-
ments are. in most cases, under the direc-
ton of superintendents, as are the regular
schools
The whole question of Bible study in the
nome is awakening much interest in church
circles. and it is believed by many that the
energies of the various denominations will
be bent in the direction of instituting and
1t in the future. 1t may, it is
sald' become one of the most important
modern religious movements,
Rev. Thomas Needham. Bible evangelist
has been conducting meetings for two
weeks in the Church of the United Brethren
IN Christ, corner of and North Capitol
streets. Much interest has been manifested
in these meetings. Bible lessons have been
given in the afternoons of this week from
to O'Clock. Last Sunday the church,
was crowded when Mr.. Needham preached
Many illustrations from his personal expert
enceS make his discourses specially interest
Ing. When lad of eleven years he was
captured by the Indians and taken to South
America He was saved from being eaten
ny the cann.baLs by a cross on his arm
MIR. Nedham held meetings here fourteen
years ago.
The first anniversary of the pastorate of
the Rev. j. Luther Frantz of St Marks
Lutheran Church was celebrated last Mon
day evening. In addition the anniversary
marked period in the church's history
which occasioned much interest and re-
Joicng, being that from the first Of No
vember. 19O3 the congregation became self
sustaining.
Speeches were made by the pastor; the
former pastor, Rev John C. Bowers; Rev
Stanley Billheimer. secretary of the Mary
land synod; MIR. August w. Noack; treas
urer of the congregations: Mrs. McClelland,
president of the Ladies' Aid Society; Mr.
d. N. klapp, superintendent of the Sum
day school: Mr.. Harry r. Fellinger, presi-
dent of the Luther League. and Mrs c. A.
Leimbach, president of the Missionary So
ciety
All speeches were along the line of pro-
gress made in the past seven or eight
years. and evidenced the fact that the high
standard would be maintained for the flu
ture. A social hour followed, when the
members and friends Were entertained most
Hospitality by the various organizations
A prayer service and conference, under
the auspices Of the presbytery Of Washing
ton city, will be held Tuesday and Wednes-
day of next week at the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church. The preparatory
prayer meeting, under the leadership of
Rev. George p. Wilson. will convene at 4:15
Tuesday afternoon. In the evening" Rev.
John r. Davis of Philadelphia, Pa, will
make an address on Some Present Needs"
Following devotional exercises Wednes-
day morning. Rev. Charles Alvin Smith will
read a paper on Taking Time to be Holy"
During the session Mr.. Harry G. Kimball
will speak on Perseverance In Christian
Work" and Rev S. 8. Laws on ''The
Agency of the Spirit of God in Evangelism"
Rev. Donald c. Mcleod will open the after
noon session with an address on What