The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-12-18
CHARLES A. P1LsBURY,}, p, Editor M AND
BIBLE STUDY AND BOXING.

In recent article by L. P. Evans of
the Piscataqus Observer on ''Some Ele-
ments of Successful Career" he made
mention of the interest in Sunday school
and church work of such men as John
Wanamaker. H. J. Heintz and the late
J. P. Morgan. To that list should be
added the name of A. J. Drexel- Biddle,
a society man, and a man of wealth,
who has taken unique way of bringing
young men into the Bible class and the
church. MIR. Drexel- Biddle has told the
story himself in recently published ar
ticle. from which we quote as follows:
A few years ago felt that the time had
come to do something more useful and
ennobing than the life of a society pleas
ure seeker, with amateur ring encounters
as side show. So went to my pastor,
the Rev Dr. Floyd W. Thompkins, and
asked him for some kind of church work
on which to exercise my new found as
pirations to serve the Master He ap-
pointed me to lead the mems Bible class
of his church, Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse
square. Philadelphia.
He then goes on to state that the work,
which was novel to him, became absorb
ingly interesting, but that he found him
self the leader of most unenthusiastic
class Of three young men," He succeed
ed, however. in instilling enthusiasm in
to the class of three until the member
ship was increased so that they 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 boxing classes
were organized and gave sparring eXhi-
billions, and the idea made hit from the
start. Then, says Mr.. Biddle,
Inquiries began to crowd in concerning
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. | had to sacrifice
horses and automobiles. | had little
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, young
sters Of the ring, clean OF life and splen-
did Of physique, wrestlers, swimmers,
sprinters, men of achievement in athletic
circles, both professional and amateur.
They came to the boxing entertainments
and they were found, many of them, at
the Bible class the following Sunday. 1t
was amazing to see the mixture of classes
at those Sunday morning services.
Then enquiries came in from class lead
ers in other churches, and that was the
beginning of the Drexel- Biddle Bible
class movement which now has mem
bership of 10000, and which has taken
up various lines Of work. such as aiding
the Inasmuch Mission IN looking after
the down. and-outers, aiding churches to
pay off their debts, etc. 1t is layman' S
movement, strictly undenominational,
and from boxing bouts it has progressed
to other lines OF recreation. Mr.. Biddle
says.
Among our young men were numerous
talented performers, musicians, mono
loglsts, dancers, singers and entertain
ers Of various kinds. We called for vol
unteers and soon had a most efficient
entertainment bureau, which was placed
at the disposal of any church in the
movement. We organized the Drexel-
Biddle Bible class minstrel troupe, and
the young men and young women Of this
troupe placed themselves at the disposal
of the directors Of the movement, going
wherever asked, at their own expense
without pay or any return ether than the
satisfaction that cones from doing a
good work
We are Only in our infancy. Our MOTTO
I'VE ain to cover the world, is no idle
promise. The laymen are aroused and
the barriers are being smashed to kind
ing wood. We are going to make all
Bible classes one big family of Christian
soldiers, preaching a religion with a
punch to t.
1t is of local interest to know that Mr..
Anthony J. Drexel Bi1dle is summer
visitor at Gripsholm the beautiful resi-
dence of George W. c. Drexel, in North
lslesborc.