Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-02
y II the
Churches

SeI~
The longest period OF religious observ-
ance in the year in the Christian Church is
just closing. Tomorrow all of the personal
seif-denial and special ceremonies incident
10 Lent, which began forty days before.
Will come to an end in the Catholic and
Episcopal churches and the solemnity of
thoughts turned toward the events of the
last weeks of the Savior's life on earth and
the impressive commemoration of His death
Will give place in every Christian church to
great rejoicing for His resurrection.
AS for ages music will be the medium
for the joyful expression. musical directors
and choirs have been training for months
in almost every church. large or small. with
the rendering of melodious Easter anthems
In view. Even more elaborate music than
was given at Christmas time will be sung
and played tomorrow. as Easter Sunday is
recognized universally as the most appro-
pirate of all days for such a glorious cele-
bration.
In another column of The Evening Star
programs of the Easter music in many of
the churches are given, but all are not in
GUIDED, and it can be safely said that spe-
cfai music will be heard wherever a person
goes to church tomorrow, IL 1t should be to
one with principles based upon the life.
death and resurrection of the Man of Naza-
reth.
The American Society of Religious Edu-
cation, which has its headquarters in Wash
tnston, Justice T. H. Anderson and Rev. Dr.
James E. Gilbert of this city being presi-
dent and general secretary, respectively, is
planning to enlarge its work along the lines
laid down by the religious congress held
here about a month ago under it's
auspices. Already the provisional Of
ncers chosen by the congress to
states where they did not exist have got
ten to work. and while they have not yet
reported officially to Secretary Gilbert, they
are known to be accomplishing much. This
work Is now in progress in Maryland. New
York, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas and Missouri.
Secretary Gilbert said today that he re-
CARDS the outlook for the society's work as
very encouraging and better than ever be-
fore in it's history
very pressing invitation has been re-
ceived by the society to hold it's next an
nual observation-disclosures congress as 1t is
called-in San Francisco. This matter will
be laid before the board of regents, which
Will select the place of the next meeting
1t Is understood that San Francisco will
pledge certain amount of money for the
congress, should the officers of the So
ciety decide to hold it there
In the following prospectus, prepared by
DR.. Gilbert and approved by the governing
| board OF the society. the purposes and
u,
| Is regarded by all who believe in religious
education with special interest as a means
of acquainting the public with what may
become one of the greatest religious move
ments of the century.
THE American Society of Religious Edu-
cation seeks to increase the popular regard
for the Sacred Scriptures and to promote
their more general and profitable study; to
engage scholars in efforts to improve the
methods of cultivating mans spiritual ma
ture; to introduce such improved methods
into families. churches. Sunday schools and
institutions of learning. and to preserve full
information of all systems of religious in
struction.
I'm it's spirit and method the society is
evangelical. 1t holds the essential teachings
of the orthodox church, and lays special
emphasis on the doctrines of grace. Claim
| ing that there can be no spiritual develop
ment or progress without Divine help. the
society seeks to determine, as matter of
| primary importance IL. religious education.
what attitude of mind and what process of
| truth-seeking are favorable to the work OF
the Holy Spirit
by its evangelical character the society
| is separated from all movements directed
secretly or openly by liberalists in theology
who mutilate the Scriptures, disseminate
error and eliminate the supernatural from
religion; who would reduce Bible study to
! a purely Intellectual exercise for intellectual
ends, and who propose to correlate Bible
teaching with other instruction in history,
| literature and the Sciences
"Manifestly the society has two important
ends to serve-to counterfeit the influences
which are subversive of the faith once de-
| livered to the saints and to. unite the true
| followers of Ch..st of every name In an
earnest search for the best ways of adj
vancing the life of God In the soul OF man,
thereby securing the chief need Of our
| time-spiritual power and unity.
"An persons approving the society's work
are invited to seek membership by forward
| ing their names to the secretary. There Is
| opportunity for all to serve this cause. and
! it is hoped that those who become members
will be more anxious to do good than 10
get good although no one can engage In
| this work without receiving more than he
| gives
Members, ministers and laymen are in
vited to pursue original Investigations, I'M
DER the direction of the regents. with the
view to improve the methods Of instruction,
and all who display marked ability in such
engagements will be elected to the college
| of fellows receiving diploma and enjoying
| favors not otherwise obtainable. This fell
lowship is the heart of the society, to be
| highly priced by its members.
"As a guide to the fellows in their investi-
cations. the council of the college issues an
annual plan, an orderly outline of topics,
advancing year by year toward the central
| inquiry how to make the truth effective
| and the circumstances of life favorable for
| the cultivation of the spiritual nature. The
| fellows are expected to prepare papers on
| the topics of the syllabus, to be used as
| the council may direct
1.-The society has put out, under the ap-
prevail of the fellows. several courses or
| reading and study one for Sunday school
| teachers, one for mothers, one for the in
dividual Christian, one for persons at col
| lege, and other courses will be prepared for
different purposes. These are announced in
| the bulletins of the departments, and peo-
| pie are invited to enter upon the courses.
Various assemblies are called at differ
| ent times and places by the regents, by the
| heads of departments. and by state officers
At these all the matters herein mentioned
receive attention, and the public is invited
! to- attend. These meetings are scholarly
( and popular, practical and inspiring. Some
are called congresses, some conferences,
some institutes, according to the method
pursued.
| In prosecuting the work herein present
ed the society needs much money. The
| nual membership dues are 81. Those who
pay s. per year are called sustaining men,
| bers, and those who pay 800 at one time
are life members. Patrons are those who
contribute any sum- Collections in churches
are rarely solicited but always welcome.
| Students fees and cost of books may be
| learned by correspondence
| The society includes seven departments
as follows:
| College of Fellows. composed of scholars
| who pursue investigations to learn the
| best methods of Bible study and spiritual
| culture"
Religious Library Union couposad of