New-York tribune., 1905-08-05

many requests. the Young Women's conference was
inaugurated, and this speedily grew even greater
dimensions than had been looked for. 1t was con-
fined to college women. and. as In the case of the
brother organization. the Young women's Chris
tan Association invited to conduct it, which II
did. in cooperation with Mr.. Moody. In 1903 the
plan of this conference changed and it aims
how rather to help young women in general than
college students any other class.
BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER SCHOOL.
These conferences had for some years brought
to Northheld a class OF people who desired
to make IL summer home To provide for
these IL became necessary 10 arrange through
July, especially in the intervals between the
ferences, meetings classes, and this gave rise,
in 1902 to the summer school, This is not by any
means the least useful of the varied services~at
Northheld 1t has been felt by those who are stu
dents Of the problem that the tendencies of conyen-
tions have infrequently been to stir people UP
TO work for which they had no preparation and to
lead them to interpretive habits, which, unless
safeguarded. may become an actual menace to the
spiritual health of the soul. In word. the
criticism has been that there was intelligent
Bible study and sometimes no inducement toward
IL. This the summer school Qt Is really an un-
fortunate term applied here) aims to remedy and,
like so many other features of the work at North-
field has met the conditions so we'll that It Is now
virtually extended through the August conference
This in outline Is the story rather of the way
Mortified has developed itself than OF the way 1t
has been developed, and the present summer
presents the same programme which mas neeh
offered III past years, enlarged and nettered,
and the programme is only the outcome OF
the wears of experience it now boasts Among other
things has been the women's missionary CONFER
ence which came at the close or the young
wonlen's conference. This was held last suHilit't
I'm conjunction with the young women eoHieI
ance hut was this year elevated to the dignity OF
a special session with the sunday scHoo' "0FAe'9
conference which was held in July
In the wears past Northfeld has been the means
% irtroducing to American audiences soma or
those who now hold high positions IN the estesni
NJ the Christian world. The Rev. E. b. Meyer tor
exap,nIe has always been one of the most popular
"a balnf,I sneakers at Nerthhed, and his visits
bova bsen numerous The Rev. DIR. G. Campoell
Morgan had visited this country IN 1885, put II was
I'm 1897 at Mr.. Moody's urgent request tnat nc
gave the month of August 10 Northnelo, ana win
him that year came the Rev george H. = NtaE
preeor. The list runs on to too great length when
n+ion is made of all those from England and TINS
country whose voices have brought help and lnspi-
ration -,
The conferences this summer have neeh UNI
formIy successful. The college conference IN lne
earl, mart of July was pronounced the best yet
H., ono of the delegates, who has been attending
ttese meetings for young men for hfteen years
He declared that it had several marks OF indiVld-
uaiity. In the first place. 1t was larger than any u
predecessors, there DelnS III dttT++oeAAASO
$50 deIegates representing the professional
schools universities colleges and preparatory
schools of the Eastern States. In the second
Mace several new features appeared III the
programme. The introduction of the study OF
the problems relating TO home missions was well
coined nv many delegates, there being an average
dauv attendance of over two hundred and hfty IN
tha home problem clast conducted by John
willis Baer of New-York. Two question classes
we're largely attended-one conducted by Rooert
E. Spier concerning the foreign mission eau ana
It's meaning. and the other by the Rev. Johnstone
Ross of Cambridge. England. on problems OF
doubt and religious belief
INTEREST IN BIBLE STUDY.
One of the most noticeable advances over former
wears was in the interest shown in Bible study.
The uun,ber of men enrolled in the Bible classes
exceeded that OF any previous year a wider va
riety of courses was introduced. OUT OF THESE
classes in the neighborhood OF three hundred men
creed 10 become leaders OF Bible classes in their
respective colleges next year Never In the history
OF the student conferences has there been more
helpful and stimulating series of Round Top
meetings than those evening gatherings which
dealt with the selection OF 4 lfework. In this
series the ministry. the teacher. the association
secretarvship and the opportunities in both home
and foreign missions were ably presented. of spe-
cial note were the spirit of the delegates and the
tone of the entire conference. Seldom has there
been gathered at NoTthheld pliabe and open
hearted set of men, and yet never has there been
a gathering OF students more deep and thoughtful
in It's grasp of what was presented. And the abun-
dant fruitage in results, evidenced In the de-
cislons recorded in the closing days of the con-
ference. forms a cause of profound thankfulneSs
and a mighty incentive for future student gather
ings.
The young wonen's conference. for ten days.
following that held by the young men, and the
summer school for Sunday school workers aud
women's missionary societies were also better at
Lad In, Sri-
ituai interest manifested
AS far indications may be relied upon. the
coming Bible Conference promises 70 sustain the
excellent standard OF the past. One OF the chief
attractions Is the Rev. DR.. Fl. W. Webb-Peploe
Preoendary OF ST. Pauls. II Is ten years since DR..
Webb-Peploe was in Northheld. Efforts have been
made repeatedly 10 secure another visit from him.
and II was only sudden and serious Illness which