New Britain herald., 1926-10-15

trials and form of composition, the Bible bears a steady witness to the
 realty of sGod. To the beauty and
 value Of life lived in communion
 with God and to the wretchedness i and futility of a life lived apart
 from God, and to the progressive virtue of mankind's comprehension
 of Gods self revelation.
 "The Bible is the most talked Of and the most widely distributed book in the world, but is 1t read in pro- portion to its distribution? asked Rev. MT. Van Dyke, who spoke this afternoon on Some Reflections on Reading the Bible" Judging from the misquotations of 1t and the callow theories and
 interpretations of it that are to be
 heard, not only among laymen but
 in the pulpit, evidently it Is not much
 read.
 Most of us have a few favorite
 passages or verses, but 10 know only q few portions of the Bible may be the basis for very lopsided theory.
 Most denominational activities of divisve nature are based on such se- lective reading.
 Another thing we do Is to read books about the Bible and adopt views therein contained without go. ing to the Bible for ourselves. We are like people who discuss a book simply after having read a review of if, The result is not Illuminating. Partial or second hand acquaintance with the Bible is not a sound basis for judging it.
 "Nor is 1t really reading the Bible to blow stodgily and unimaginatively along so many verses per day or a chapter day"
 He advocated systematic study of the Bible so that those reading 1t would thoroughly understand pas sages as they go long, making themselves acquainted with the his tory and conditions surrounding the writing of the passages. He sug- gested that persons attempt to trace an idea through the Bible and to read the book in its historical order as a whole or that 1t be read by divisions founded not on chapters but on a general conception of the unity of the whole.
 The convention opened this morn- ing in the First Congregations church. Rev. Raymond N. Gilman, pastor of the Stanley Memorial of New Britain. is presiding.
 The morning session opened at 1O:30 o'clock. There was a confer ence period. during which time talks were given on Rural Work" by Rev. Walter T. Aiken of Hartford, executive secretary Of the Hartford council, and on City Work" by Evan F. Kullgren. superintendent of the Center church, Hartford
 At 11:30 o'clock a devotional pe- riod was led by Rev. William Ross, pastor of the First Baptist church or this city.
 This afternoons session started at | 2 o'clock with a devotional period 1 led by Rev. William H. Alderson of | Trinity Methodist church. The pro- gram from that time on was as fol- | lows: An address. "The Vocational l Spirit in Religious Education" was given at 2:30 by Professor O. W. | Warmingham of Boston university. | At o'clock the business began with | reports from Miss Sylvia A. Murphy | of Hartford, secretary; Miss Rose B. NIi1con t,no r1 ha ing committee, pr. c. H. Buck, | chairman. Officers were elected. At | 3:30 o'clock an address on Reading | the Bible" was made by Rev. Ter. tius Van Dyke and at o'clock there was a period on Week day Religious Education" led by Freder- c L. Fay, assistant to the pastor of he South Congregational church, his city, "Church Vocation Schools" 1y Mrs. F. Chester Hale of this city, md Church and Recreation" by Rev. Edwin Knox Mitchell, jr., pas -or of the Congregational church. Supper will be served at o'clock.
 The evening session will open at 7:30 o'clock with a devotional period led by Rev. Theodore A. Greene, pastor of the First Congregational church, this city. At 7:45 o'clock ! an address on The Poetry of the Bible" will be given by Rev. Tertius Van Dyke. At S:15 o'clock an- will be made and an offering taken: at S:30 o'clock Pro-