Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-16
EPWORTH LEAGUE
DISCUSSION
Topic:
LEAGUE STUDY CLASSES.
Oh Timothy. Alb: Neh., s:1-3,s.
By Robert D. Burbank.
sIDEST OF WASHINGTON DISTRI
EpW0RTH IEACTE

DISTRICT
EPWORTH LEAGUE
The school year is about to begin. and
the papers are full of the announce
ments of schools and universities, Civ
ing descriptions of the courses of
study they offer; and the Epworth
League. as Methodism's training school
for Christian service, devotes the dis
cussion hour this Sunday to the presen-
tation of the study courses and secur-
ing and organizing classes. The study
class, though comparatively a new fea
ture OF the Epworth League, is already
recognized as one Of the most impor-
tant of it's activities, as is shown by
the percentage allowed for it in the
standard efficiency ratings.
The Christian religion is not based
on Ignorance and superstition, but is
founded on knowledge and faith All
knowledge upheld and men urged to
seek them diligently. Pauls writings,
especially, are full of exhortations to
get knowledge. and in his letters to
| tinually urged him to study. In the
verse cited In the second epistle to
Timothy. Paul requests him to bring
his books. and in the corresponding
he says: Give heed to reading. ex-
hortation and teaching" In another
place he wrote to Timothy: STUDY to
| show myself approved unto God, a
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth"
The other reference given in illustra-
ton Of the subject takes US to the story
Of the great political moral and social
advance OF Israel in the days of Ne
hemiah. which had its beginning in the
study of the Word of God. Nehemiah
realized that the nation was not estab-
lished by rebuilding the walls about
Jerusalem, and that the character of
Gods law into their minds and hearts.
The advance the kingdom of God on
earth today utterly and absolutely
dependent or. xnowledge-knowledg of
Gods truth, and the need of that truth,
and the opportunity of spreading it,,
and the practical task of organizing
classes for the study of the Bible or
missions. is not matter of minor i'm
portance. but one of the most vitality
important tasks the league can perform,
for it provides one of the most direct
and effective methods of accomplishing
the general purpose of the league
training service.
A general program for league study
classes. extending over a number of
years. has been laid out by the general
board, and was entered upon last year.
ed, each based on a book published es-
pecially for the course. 1t Is not sup
posed each chapter will use all six,
many will only use one, and many 9TH
ers will use three or four.
The Bible study text book is The
Teacher Of Galilee," by c. NJ Barton:
the text book on personal evangelism
il Taking Men Alive" by Charles G..
Trumbun: on stewardship, starting
Points" by DR.. Harvey II. Calkins: on
social service, THE Redemption of the
South End" by DIR. E. c. Dorion. on
home missions, The South Today" by
Dr. John NJ. Moore: on foreign missions.
Our South American Nefghbors, by
Bishop Stuntz. Besides these. the text
books provided for last year are avail
| able to those chapters that have not
yet used them, and may be round pref
cradle for some classes.
|. The study class-regardless OF the
su btect or text book chosen-is the
| most natural expression of the Epworth
League spirit: 1t Is the most direct
method Of accomplishing Epworth
League results. and 1t is one of the
| greatest efficiency producers In Ep-
worth League work generally. Leaguers
who have been to an institute have
| learned that study may be made per
fectly cheerful-nay. even 1oyful-bS
doing II the league way. and TINS Is the
league way: Study as Christians. study
| something real, study something posi-
| tive, study something interesting, study
som ething together. study for persona
| growth, study for service