THE MISSIONARY READING CIRCLE.
By L. Flora Plummer
Those who are in charge of the Reading Circle work have recently met in council, and formulated plans for the future. Some changes have been made, which will be to the advantage of all. Last year many of our people felt that they had not time to give thorough study to two Circle lessons each week, and consequently one or the other was neglected. The present arrangement permits both series of lessons—those on the message and those on the field—to be carried as easily as only one was followed last year. The plan is as follows:— But one lesson will be published each week. Each month there will be three lessons in Bible study and one on the field. As the second Sabbath in each month has been for some time devoted to the needs of the field, the week that ends on the second Sabbath of each month will be the one in which the lesson on the field is studied. During the other weeks the Bible lesson will be studied. The first lesson under this new arrangement will be on the field, will appear in the REVIEW of October 2, and will be studied during the week of October 7-13. The next lesson will be a Bible study, to be learned the following week. The lessons will be published in both the REVIEW and the Missionary Magazine; and the Instructor, as heretofore, will contain notes of interest upon the lessons. The Bible lessons will be upon the book of Revelation, with “Thoughts on Revelation,” of the Berean Library, as the text-book. Accompanying the questions upon the Bible lessons, and forming a part of the lessons, will be a series of articles by Elder S. N. Haskell. These articles will make the studies up to date in every particular, and will add greatly to the interest. The Missionary Magazine is the text-book used for the field studies, and the articles to be studied have been especially prepared for the purpose. The Reading-Circle lessons are designed primarily for home study. If convenient, review meetings may be held to advantage, but these should not meet until after the lesson has been studied in the home. We can not but believe that the Reading Circle plan is in harmony with the special instruction given of the Lord to his people. Over and over again we have been admonished to study the “distinct message for this time.” The book of Revelation has been named as one that should now receive our most careful study. More importance than is realized, is attached to the study of the field. The following are solemn words: “Unless your hearts are touched as you see the situation in foreign fields, the last message of mercy to be given to the world will be restricted, and the work which God would have done will be left undone.” How shall we “see” the situation if we will not read nor hear of it when we have the opportunity? And how shall our hearts be touched if we do not see the situation? Who is there of us that would willingly “restrict” the work of God? No one, I am sure. Let us, then, arouse ourselves to the excellent opportunities afforded by these lessons, and study them earnestly, not simply for the knowledge we ourselves shall gain, but as a preparation for active work in the harvest field. There is no time to delay. The studies will begin at once. Every effort should be put forth so that the first lessons may not pass by before we are ready. May the Lord impress upon each one his duty in this matter.