Reading Courses by M. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 18, 1910

Reading Courses

By M. E.

MORE young people have finished the Reading Courses this spring than either of the previous years. One Missionary Volunteer secretary sent the names of forty-six young people who had completed one of the courses for this year. This, however, is the best report received. Although the Reading Courses are doing much for our youth, they should be doing more; but to do this the young people's work must have more earnest co-operation from the home and the local church. Plans are but machinery, to be run by the power of personal effort and prayer. No one expects a binder to reap the fields without supplying the horse-power needed to do the work. Would it not be well to use the same sound sense for the machinery to be utilized in doing the young people's work?

Several other denominations make reading courses an important feature of their young people's work; and when we even casually consider the effect of reading,

for good or ill, and remember that our young people will and should read something, we are convinced that this is no mistake. In the international convention of the Baptist Young People's Union, recently held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., nothing received more attention than did their Christian Culture reading courses.

The Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses of the coming year will begin in the Instructor of October 4. Of the two courses, one will be especially adapted for juniors, the other for older young people. Aside from the books needed and the Youth's Instructor, the courses are absolutely free. What are you doing to get the young people in your home or your church to read the good books in one of these courses? One aged sister took the Junior Course with her grandchildren; some homes have had family reading circles, others have read portions of the weekly assignment in the Reading Course book at morning or evening family worship. One church has tried the plan of giving occasional programs on the subjects of the Reading Course book, in which all joined.

Your conference Missionary Volunteer secretary of this department will mail to any address a free leaflet explaining the Reading Courses for the coming year.

M. E.