Training of Lay Workers.
By Editor
On a "Lay Workers' Training Course" the Pacific Theological Seminary (Congregational), in the Seminary News Letter of September, has the following to say with reference to the needs of such a course:— "It is designed for students of both sexes who seek increased efficiency in other work than the ordained ministry. The home missionary societies call for young women trained to evangelistic work. The Sunday-school and Christian Endeavor need officers and teachers with better knowledge of the Bible and of practical methods. There are youths whose usefulness in the lay work of their own church would be manifolded by a year or two of proper instruction. There are men determined upon the ministry, perhaps urged into it by friends or churches, who could not be persuaded to take a college course, or even a full theological course, who may not have the necessary preparatory education for the higher study, who may yet be greatly benefited for life by this shorter course." The principal studies of the course adopted by the above institution we condense from the News Letter: "The principal study is the English Bible; five recitations a week in each Testament. The aim is to teach the pupil how to study the Bible so as to know its truth and impart it to others. The remainder of the course consists of a number of short studies, such as The Life of Christ; Evidences of Christianity; Fundamental Doctrines; Sunday-school Work; How to Conduct Meetings; Methods of Personal Work; Use of Blackboard and Object Lessons; Home and Foreign Mission Work; Practical Difficulties of Romanism; Preparation of Bible Addresses." This is a good course and highly suggestive. And yet we often wish that such a school could include whole churches, that all of the Lord's children were Bible students and workers in the Master's vineyard. However, this shall not prevent us from being glad that Bible study is extended. May it lead the students into the larger light and liberty and freedom of the Gospel of Christ. Only so can they be blessings to others.