Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-25
THE REV. FLOYD w. TOMKlNS
On Bible Teaching

On Bible Teaching
THAT the Bible is becoming more and
i more a factor and an almost daily
greater influence in the lives of the people
of the United States, despite the generally
prevailing pessimism, is the opinion of the
Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, rector of Holy
Trinity Church.
This desirable condition of AFFAIRS
said DR.. Tomkins. 'is due in great measure
to the largely augmented increase in the
study of the Bible, evidences of which We
see on every hand.
Many Bible Glasses
1T is a cause for the utmost satisfaction
that Bible study is being held in so many
places and that the study is being conducted
study conference alone, the one which has
been held at Perkasie for twenty four
years, has, in that time, conferred certif-
Gates upon 1900 graduates.
This proves two things: First, the
great interest which is now and has for
number of years past been taken in con-
scientious study of the Scriptures by men
and women, and particularly by young mer
and young women; and, second, that this
interest Is going to be spread largely
throughout the country by the teachings of
those who had been graduated themselves.
There can be no question that, while
there have been many learned criticisms of
the Bible and while much has been aC
complishcd by the so-called higher criti-
cism, faith in the Word of God, as we have
it, has increased rather than diminished
among the people of the country at large.
While there may have developed some
differences of opinion, and perhaps with
some reason, among the higher critics re-
the original Greek and Hebrew text, moth
ing has destroycd--or even disturbed-the
great confidence the people have in the Bible
as commonly used in the King James trans
lation.
"A knowledge Of the Bible in so far that
people generally know what it teaches and
what it contains is much more widespread
than the average man or woman imagines
The spreading of this knowledge is due to
several agencies. which have worked long and
well in the furtherance of this cause.
For example, there are the mems Bible
| classes, which have been meeting for ten
| years. They have done much to create in
| terest in intelligent study of the Word of
| God. Then there are the daily vacation
| Bible schools where, for six weeks in sum
mer, children are taught Bible stories ~and
Bible lessons as bearing upon their daily
| lives and upon moral living. This is seed
we'll sown and which will bring forth good
| harvest in the results upon their later
| lives.
Many Bible Conferences
Then consider also the many Bible
| conferences which are being held all over
| attended and show growth in numbers and
| interest with each succeeding year. These
| facts indicate not only a vast increase in
the amount of interest taken in the Bible
and its teachings, but they show as we'll
| that people as a whole recognize that the
Bible is Il guide for. moral living every day
| Of the year as well as a foundation for
| religious faith.
Social service workers, too. find much
material in the Bible study which is of
a., Ia, thntr ,E Al,
urge the Sermon on the Mount as an in
falible guide for the solving of many vex
ing social problems. Clergymen are also
expressing more and more in their sermons
Bible truths that have a great bearing upon
! national and international interests.
This is most encouraging, for it proves
two things: First, that the Word of God has
not lost particle of its influence upon
men and, second, that the relationship be.
tween man and man is daily being more
and more guided by the expressed will OF
God.
A Ciergyman's Analysis
IAN old Methodist minister many wears
Ggo told a Sunday school of which | was
| then a member that the Bible might be
summed up under two 'P's' and four 'D's.
These, he explained. were Persons and
Places as representing the 'P's' and Dates
| Doinus. Doctrines and Duties for the DIS
"But there is an added knowledge of tn,
Bible also regarding its division into his
torical, prophetic and poetic literature
Our King james translation, in spite OF
many new translations recently given tC
the world. and all of which are helpful stil
stands as an example of wonderfully pur,
English which has few, If any, equals In
tho language.
This in itself gives the Bible student
who does not desire 10 enter the field o.
critical examination, but seeks only to fnt
Gods will, an inspiration as he teaches anC
as he governs his own life by it which can.
not be easily measured,
The Bibles Influence
"In word, we may soy that the B,blr
! today has more influence among the masss