A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE DUTIES OF MEMBERS OF BIBLE CLASSES.
By H. F. PHELPS
HAVING had some experience in Bible classes, I desire to offer a few remarks. That the interest of a Bible Class does not depend entirely upon any one person is very evident. The superintendent can not do all, the class cannot do all. Every one must take an interest in it; each must feel that all have a work to do. To illustrate, let us suppose a case. Two sister churches, A and B, both, under similar circumstances, organize for a Bible Class. Two good brethren are chosen to fill the place of superintendent. They are both men of good moral worth. They may both of them be nearly alike in temperament and disposition, well calculated to fill their position. Both feel an interest in the good cause of God, and delight in seeing all doing their duty, and, feeling the responsibilities of their position, are willing to do all they can to advance the cause and work for the good of the class. All goes on well for a little while, as all such things will when new. But we will visit them after about six months and see how they get along. The first church having a few energetic men, and withal possessed of the good Spirit, have tried to press together, have tried to be prompt in their duties, never forgetting to get their lessons, or anything that would add interest to the class. They have been striving to bring into subjection every passion of the carnal mind, never allowing the spirit of jealousy to rise. They have tried to be in subjection one to the other. Thus all things were working well, they gaining ground, making advancements in the divine life. We will next visit the other church. What do we find here? Some of the members were a little too worldly-minded, were willing to justify themselves by almost any excuse for not getting their lessons, could find no time to study, for they worked so hard that, even on the Sabbath, they could not get into the spirit of study. They could see a mote in the conduct of another, would feed upon it, but could not discern their own. Some of their faults were such as to injure the cause they represented. Some engaging in the spirit of trade so far that they would lose some of their spirituality, would take advantage of another, and talk about honesty; or some would talk and argue for “health reform” and then take tea, coffee, or eat pork if they were out in the world. Some were jealous of every move of the body of Sabbath-keepers, and jealous of the leading brethren of their own church. But how about the Bible Class? Why, they had none, or nearly none; and no wonder. Brethren, whoever you are, and wherever you are, choose the better part that shall never be taken from you.