New Britain herald., 1922-11-27
BIBLE CLASS OFFICERS
 FEAR FOR ITS FUTURE
Rev. John L. Davis Re. marks From Pulpit In-
 terpreted as Rebuke

Is Everyman's Bible class going
 down hill as rapidly as it went up
 That is the question that is and has
 been bothering the officials of that
 organization ever since the class
 started up this fall, but which cul-
 minated in what practically amount
 ed to a failure to put across a charita-
 ble project at yesterday mornings
 session.
 The Sunday morning sessions have
 been averaging about $50 men every
 week, this average jumping to the
 neighborhood of 600 men q week ago
 when Ladies Day" was observed and 200 women attended. Yesterday morning there were but 437 present, the smallest attendance the class has seen for II months. The average at tendance last spring was 750.
 A proposition by the blue army to provide Thanksgiving dinners for SO poor families was extended to take in the entire class and contributions of at least si IA each ~were Aectcd A total amount of sS0fyo wsA aeed- ed for the dinners, while o1ly $1S0
 s was received.
 Officers of the class held an infor- nal meeting immediately after the class session and agreed to make up the balance. Each officer took an en- velope with the proportion of the money allotted to a family, out of the sum received, and agreed to furnish the rest himself, and the dinners will be provided.
 An informal discussion was held by the officers, who, 1t developed, have seen the class headed downhill for the past two months, and it was agreed that the situation is critical. A meet Ing of the general executive commit tee has been called for Tuesday eve hing, at the Y. M. c. A.. at 6:30 o'clock, Supper will be served and the entire evening will be devoted to an sffort ito save the class"
 Following his sermon on psychology yesterday. morning, Rev. John T.. Davis commented from the pulpit on he lack of interest and intimated, in l what sounded like rebuke, that the I class organization needs stirring up The officers in the after-meeting | while admitting that the organization s not functioning as it should, were inclined to agree that the incentive is acking, in the fact, which has been In open secret all this fall, that MT. Davis sermons have been below par, lue, they feel, to insufficient prepar- Ltion The class leader also is &C., used of going over the head of his xecutive committee in inviting out idle speakers to address the men without permission and despite orders rom the committee to the contrary.
 A representative of the Pocket Tes- ament league, who spoke a few min tes to the class yesterday morning pon invitation of Rev. Mir. Davis, and
 lecturer on psychology who will be I the Methodist church for the next wo weeks, whom Rev. Mir. Davis has will address the men next unday were not authorized by the committee, it is said.
 The situation is aptly described in
 conversation which occurred when omeone asked for Secretary F.. M. 'reble, who was visiting his folks in yer, Mass. Hes up in Aver" was he reply. The whole class is up in he air" said a high official of one f the armies. in reply.
 Rev. Dr. w. w. Leete of Boston, ,cretary of Congregational churches l New England, led in prayer yes- 'rday morning.