The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-01-28
In A Paper At The Banquet
OF Recent Date
Telling Of Founding OF The
Class In This City
And The Amount OF Work 1t
Has Accomplished

The following paper on the Adel-
phian Bible class-Its Past, Present
and Future, was read by Mr.. w. E.
Seton at the Adelphian Bible class
banquet in the Pythian armory on
last Friday evening:
OF its origin / can say it was rath-
er obscure 1t vas organized and
christened The Bible Lecture class
about five years ago, and under most
unpretentious circumstances. Tho
original membership consisted about
four men, chaperoned by Bro. Roush,
who delivered lecture each Lords
ference TO the international lesson.
its numerical growth was slow, but
with increasing loyalty to God and
one another. It, however, increased
in numbers gradually, until it had
26 names of loyal, active men en-
rolled. After an existence of little
more than one year, it lost its in
structor, who left us to assume la
Dor in another field.
Soon after his leaving, Bro. New
conner, It's present hustling, ener-
getic, enthusiastic and most capable
leader, guiding genius and inspira
tion became its teacher. From the
| time he assumed the leadership the
class began to reach out into broad
er fields and after greater conquests,
soon increased interest was manifest.
| The spirit for enlargement seemed
the members and they, through the
direction of Bro. Newcomers wise
| generalship, went out into the high
ways and byways, inviting men who
had no Bible school affiliations, to
come and be learners with them.
With the blessing of God, these mems
work began to tell, and many were
added each Lords day, until you
see this magnificent body of mel
seated here, which at the beginning
numbered about four, but now over
five hundred, brothers and comrades.
| Cosmopolitan In character and make
up, homogeneous in all that goes TO
make one harmonious whole, those
| of a higher social condition of life
rejoicing that they have been brought
down, whilst those who have not
been so highly blessed rejoicing that
they have been exalted, for In the
Adelphlan class we know no man
after the flesh, but are all one in
aims and ambitions. having but one
common purpose, viz: seeking for in
structlon In the ways Of righteous
nes and greater knowledge OF God
and Christ, whose ways are ways of
Pleasantness and whose paths are
peace.
Here Is taught and practiced the
principles of the great Brotherhood
of God and man. When the stran-
ger enters This communion he is not
asked for pedigree, nor for a state
ment OF his past life or present en-
vironmerfts, but without reference to
his past or present, Is taken in full
fellowship, given the glad hand OF
welcome. Let me say here and now,
the Adelphlan class is today the
greatest factor for the uplifting or
men of any society in the community
for we practice what we teach and
we teach nothing only what we find
recorded in Gods Holy Word.
Where the Bible speaks, the teach
er speaks and where the Bible is
silent, he Is silent. We have not
ecclesiastical burdens to bind on any
man, but teach and practice the prin-
ciples of the great Fatherhood of
God and Brotherhood of man, under
the influence of this teaching must
return to his home. with a higher
conception of che God we honor and
serve, as well as being a better nus
band, father, brother and American
citizen. We have briefly spoken OF
the past and present, but what Of
the future?
Eternity alone can tell the story
of hope, courage, strength and high
er conception of this life that has
to come to us, to abide and be with
us, in all the days God may give
us to enjoy and use hero on earth.
II we are faithful and continue to