The sun., 1913-11-09
M Il = OrexeI- 3,daIe ., HIS Socsefy
FSse1dS See 17,7a
Mr.. A. J. Drexel-Biddle Tells Why He
Us for Preaching Religion With a
Punch to It-His Idea Has Been
Adopted Both Here and Abroad

Wv ia thS SihSSs VIC III
creased in membership until we had
a roomful instead OF only three.
Then it became obvious that Bible
study alone was not sufficient to hold
that body Of active young men. So
We organized boxing classes and gave
sparring exhibitions. The idea made a
hit from the start.
The boys and young men. and even
middle aged men and old men, who
came to witness. the boxing bouts were
invited to attend the Bible class. The
novelty OF religion that actually advo-
Gated the exercising OF physical
strength brought us an ever increasing
number Of students to the church.
Inquiries began to crowd in concern
ing the class Of Holy Trinity. There
was plenty Of criticism, but the steady
and even rapid growth of the class was
the best answer. 1t began to absorb
all my time and energy. l had to sac
rifice horses and automobiles. I had lit
tie leisure for society functions. The
Bible class became almost my sole work
and society for me was found among
the athletes who fiocked around me,
youngsters Of the ring, clean of life and
splendid Of physique, wrestlers, SWIM
mers, sprinters, men Of achievement in
athletic circles both professional and
amateur. They came to the boxing
entertainments and they We're found,
many Of them, at the Bible class the
following Sunday. 1t was amazing to
see the mixture OF classes at those Sun
day morning services.
Glass leaders in other churches began
to ask concerning the secret Of the sue
cess Of the mems class at Holy Trinity.
This gave me an idea: Why not link
together all the Bible classes for men In
Philadelphia, or at least as many as
cared to join one great movement for
the good Of the Christian church?
That was the beginning Of the Drexel-
Biddle Bible class movement Of to-day.
Several Bible classes joined at once.
We devised a button with a rising sun
as an emblem and the motto: I'VE aim
to cover the world" 1t was some time
before we adopted a constitution. We
were too busy in those days to think of
anything but enrolling new classes.
Invitations to explain the movement
came thick and fast. We had meetings
almost every evening at various
churches. Methodist. Baptist, EpiscO-
palian. Presbyterian and every denOm-
ination of mems Bible classes were
linked up. We called these occasions
rallies" At the close Of a rally, after
the meaning OF the movement had been
fully explained. we left it to the class
to say whether or not they would join
us. II they did buttons were distrib-
uted and the class was part Of the
movement.
what them" you naturally ask.
At once the value Of organization
began to be demonstrated. The ma
chinery OF the movement consisted OF
myself as president, a managing direc-
tor, a number Of vice-presidents, min
listers and others, for counsel and help,
and the district superintendents. the
latter supervising and directing the
work in their sections Of the city, under
the general supervision OF the man
aging director and myself.
Our aim was to help those who
needed help. A call would come from
q pastor whose Bible class for men was
not thriving. Near by would be big
successful class Of men. possibly In a
church Of another denomination to the
one calling for assistance. Both classes
were In the movement.
Tne Olstrict superintendent KNEW tlat
in the big class were a hundred men
capable Of galvanizing into life any
small and struggling class. Instead Of
merely meeting at class to discuss
Bible subjects these men could be
better employed leading others. 1t was
the business Of the district superin-
tendent to see the pastor OF the big
church. get his permission to draft two
or three men each Sunday to help the
small class and to keep this up until