New Britain herald., 1922-05-29
EVERYMANS BIBLE
 CLASS IS CLOSED
Sessions Ended for Summer --Re.
 markable Record in Short Time

With a remarkable record for re.
 ligious achievement, Everyman's Bi-
 ble class yesterday held it's final meeting until the first Sunday in Sep
 tember. The last address was deliv- cred by Rev. Dr. o. F. Bartholow, founder of the class.
 Among the various items of inter- est connected with the class history since its birth are the following: I Grew from 73 members to 1906 ! (actual counD in seven months.
 Average attendance per week for seven months equals maximum en- 1 rollment for first two months 547. 1 Attracted visitors from Canada, Texas. Oregon and Philippine Islands and letters from as far away as Italy Helped All Churches. Increased the attendance of every Protestant church in the city. Two-thirds of its membership l openly acknowledged an interest in religious affairs never felt before. Offered to introduce men to the head of any religious creed in the city and advises men to support their own church.
 Fortysix men have not missed a session of the class since it started. This number includes officers of number of churches.
 Has officers who have brought in from five to 150 members each. Over 200 members signed cards to stop swearing, gambling. take more interest in church or take some other forward step.
 Has attracted attention of big manufacturing concerns and publica- tions all over the country. Banquet Saturday. The official wind up festivities began Saturday night in the banquet hall of the Y. M. C. A., when a ban quet was rendered to Rev. Dr. o. F. Bartholow, of Mount Vernon, N. Y. Dr. Bartholow, who heads the larg- est Bible class in the world, was 15 years building his class to mem bership of 1900, or just 100 more than the New Britain class attained in seven months.
 Brief History.
 The guest of the evening was the man who spoke to 100 men from diff ferent churches in the city, at ban quet held in the Methodist church, November 6, 1921. At that time he launched the movement for class and 7S men joined. These 73 men now are numbered mostly among the officers, but all have remained. He has launched in the past IS years 120 such classes, having total mem- bership of 1S,0o0 men. The New Britain class is the largest by far of any of these, except the parent class, and so closely has the latter class been crowded in membership that pr. Bartholow is the recipient of letter from a friend in Italy stating that the writer has been watching the progress of Everyman's Bible class and predicts that 1t will excell all others by the time it is a year old.
 Passed 1900 Mark.
 Yesterday morning the class had 14oS members and eight more joined during the service.
 At the banquet Saturday evening Robert B. Skinner, the class presi- 1 dent was toastmaster. Walter Fletch- CT, general of the Blue army, H. W. Gee, general of the Red army, Rev. John L. Davis, leader of the class and Dr. Bartholow were speakers.
 Delegations were present from sur rounding towns, among them being Rev. Frederick F. Voorhees,, of Hart ford. Dr. Batholow delivered the ad- dress of the evening and gave mas terly discourse on three essential fea- lures of Bible class. Balance. pow CT of suggestion and open minded ness.
 Usual Visitors List.
 At the session yesterday morning, which started IS minutes earlier than the usual time, there were visitors from Brooklyn, N r.. Willimantic; Holyoke. Mass; Glastonbury; Meri- den; Burlington; Portland; Southing- ton; kdgetield Park, N. J.; Rock land. Me; New Haven; Springfield, Mass; Tamaqua and Mount Carmel, Pa; Elmhurst, N. Y, and Woon- socket, R. l.
 Rev. John L. Davis announced that it has been decided to create a White army with the opening of the class in the fall and to renew the drive | for more members.
 Davis A Colt.
 pr. Bartholow took as his text Hold Fast and Let Go" He refer- rcd to Rev. John L. Davis as a colt but a thoroughbred and advised the executive committee of the class to put the ban on outside speakers next year. The suggestion was greeted with applause.
 He explained his text by illustrat. ing how some people hold on to an