When God raised the curtain on the completed drama of creation, he sought to plant the human race in the environment best suited to its happiness and development. With his great father heart full of all wisdom, he knew that there was no power in his great universe so potent in the making of a mighty people as the quiet, unseen tie that binds men and women together in the building of a home.

      Every other institution was in the

I. W. GILL.

interest and service of the home. Government was organized to protect it from enemies. The school was founded to enlighten and enrich it. The church was established to purify and redeem it. The home has ever since been the center through which God has sought to work out the destiny of the race in the perfecting of character.

      The home is God's mightiest agent in the regeneration of the world. Buddhism gives us the zenana, Mohammedanism the harem, but the touch of Jesus Christ and his love makes possible the home.

      If the home is the foundation of all that is truest and best in our lives, if it means so much to the future prosperity of our great nation, then no more important theme can come before the Christian church to-day than the developing and perfecting of the household.

      When the Father established the home in the world he told us how we could bring into it the joys of his heavenly abode. We train our statesmen. We train our great religious leaders. And, Christian friends, the time has come when we must train our home-builders. We plead for better government and for the right administration of our laws. Our cry for the last one hundred years, as a church, has been, "Back to Christ and the ideal of that first Jerusalem church." May not the cry for the next century be, "Back to the divine pattern for the home, where husbands love their wives even as Christ loved the church; where it is the joy of the wife to obey a husband who loves with such an unselfish devotion; where children honor their fathers and their mothers, and where parents provoke not their children to wrath"? When those to whom God has entrusted the care of the home have learned from his holy Word the true secret of successful home-building, then will it become the most joyous, sacred spot on earth.

      The learned professors tell us that the Bible has outlived its usefulness as an infallible authority; that the world to-day does not need nor will longer tolerate the belief that any book on earth was written by God. If we listen to their voice and banish the inspired Scriptures from the firesides of America, the foundations of our homes are endangered.

      It remains for the mother to so strongly plant the child's feet on the Rock of Ages that nothing can ever shake its faith in the mother's Bible or the mother's God.

      There is not much danger for the young man who has in his boyhood days really seen the Christ, as taught and lived in the life of a wise, loving, Christian mother. In this age it behooves every mother, before her child encounters the outside influences, to be sure he has looked into the face of Jesus in all his majesty and power.

      So many women have never really eaten of the living bread which cometh down from heaven, nor satisfied the thirst at the fountain which forever quenches the longing of the famishing soul. So, hungering and thirsting with [576] an appetite which has never been satisfied, they drift out into the little Eddys of religion (if we may call it religion at all), and are no longer moved by that tender touch of loving sympathy that is the secret of woman's power in the home.

      We shudder at the fact that in our land, which we call a Christian land, one of her fair daughters is sacrificed every eight minutes to the white-slave trade. Where are the mothers of these poor, unfortunate girls who are commanded to train up the children in the way they should go? This dreadful curse will never be blotted out until the mothers awake to their eternal responsibility, and they will only be awakened by the knowledge of Him who is the light of the world.

      Our pastors and Sunday-school teachers are discussing the problem of how to get the children to remain for the morning communion service. Church papers, preachers and teachers wrestle over the question, and really the problem ought not to be for pastors or teachers, for this should be settled in the home. It is a matter of training by consecrated parents.

      My father and mother solved this question years ago, when at every church service all their children marched down the aisle and sat in the family pew, and so far they have not departed from it. This privilege ought to belong to the father and mother.

      As we recall the tremendous responsibilities that come to the American mothers of to-day, and think of the vital questions that will never be settled right until they are settled at the family altar, is it not possible that we have spent too little thought on the training of the wife and the mother as the character-builder in the home?

      About six weeks ago I attended the Bible school at the great Winona Assembly. More than twenty-six hundred were present, and it was in many respects a marvelous school. Noted teachers from all over the United States had charge of the various classes. Every age of pupil was regarded, from kindergarten to strong business man. It was supposed to be an ideal school for other smaller schools to imitate. As I looked over this great school and inquired for a class for women, there was none to be found. "Oh, they just go in the men's class," was the answer I received.

      Friends, if the family, from the little innocent toddler to the venerable grandfather, need this Bible training, surely the mother, who ought to be the inspiration back of all these classes, needs to learn of Jesus. True, there are great mixed classes, but, with all honor to the men, may I say that the greatest good comes to woman in the Bible school when, as the wife and mother in the home, she sits down with others to learn these great eternal truths and apply them to her own problems as she meets them day by day?

      There is only one perfect guide for the home-maker as she seeks to upbuild

MRS. GRAFTON.

and purify her home, and that text-book was written by the divine Home-founder. The men of our church tell us that the women are not yet aroused to their responsibilities of great Bible classes for women, and sometimes I am afraid they are telling the truth. This is a woman's privilege, and this is the work woman must do if we want to build strong and deep foundations for the future of our church.

      I am sure that every teacher of a woman's class before me this evening will bear witness that no greater privilege comes to woman outside her own home than that of leading her sisters in the study of God's word. That privilege in turn may be enjoyed by every member of the class who is willing to be used of God in bringing some sister within its circle and securing for her a new vision of life's purpose.

      It is not an easy task to convince wives and mothers, busy with the cares of the household, that they can plan their work and be in the house of God at 9:30 on the Lord's Day morning. There was a time when I really believed a woman when she told me that it was impossible for her to attend our Bible class. But so many of these women are now doing the impossible [577] things that difficulties do not affect us much any more.

      Among our number you will find some mothers bringing three or four children to the school with them. Several drive in from the country after attending to the duties coming to busy farmers' wives. One woman doing all her work and keeping six or eight boarders slips in the class just during the lesson.

      There are other women weary with six days at the sewing-machine that they may provide for loved ones. Some have bent day by day over the washtub, and this morning hour of Bible study is the one bright spot in the week of heavy toil. There are women with broken hearts because husband or son has wandered from the path of virtue, and there are women passing great temptation, and they come hoping to gain strength for life's battle.

      In fact, you can hardly find a condition not represented in the class. The rich, the poor, the joyous wife and happy mother, the Christian, the Catholic and those who have never in any way acknowledged their Master.

      Women are really longing for the strength and inspiration that comes from the study of God's word. They do not know it, so many do not even know how to read this Word in a helpful way.

      We are striving for three great objects in our class. The first is to teach the word of God in such a winning way that it may touch the hearts of those who hear.

      The second, to so live the word of God that others, seeing our good works, may be constrained to glorify our Father. We are trying to sink deep in every heart this fact: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if, ye do them."

      The third, that knowing and keeping one's self unspotted from the world is not all. That heaven's gate is shut to him who comes alone that they must save other souls if they would save their own.

      We have believed that all teaching is wasted that does not result in practice. While this simple way may not develop learned thinkers, it does develop great workers.

      The gospel, women believe, is still "the power of God unto salvation." This belief has led God's children to win their worldly friends for the class, and these have turned from the follies of the world and have begged the privilege of stepping out before their sisters in the class and owning Jesus as king over their lives.

      One frail woman, standing alone between her one little boy and a hard, cruel world, has taken up the battle with renewed courage, and as she sits in the house of God with her child, her one joy on earth, a new light comes into her sad, despairing face.

      Another, feeling a bitter resentment against God because a kind, loving husband was called to leave her, was finally persuaded to come to our class circle, and as she learned of the Saviour who weeps with those that weep, it changed her hatred into love, and to-day as a Christian mother she is guiding her little daughter in the way that will lead her into life everlasting.

      One woman, most beautiful of feature, but noted all over the city for her sinful life, entered the church door with a brave, true sister. Even good women drew back as she entered. But somewhere we had read these words, "Can save to the uttermost all who believe." She caught a glimpse of the One who came to seek and to save the lost. She surely belonged to that company, but Christ found and saved this sinful sister. To-day she is a living example of the power of Jesus Christ, and as she rejoices in the purity and peace of a Christian life, this is the message she would send to the women of our church.

      The outcast women of our land are too hopeless to ever enter the house of God unless they are invited by a Christian sister in God's kingdom. If Jesus, full of tender compassion, could say to the poor, sinful woman, "Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more," we dare not count ourselves too righteous to follow our Master in this neglected work.

      I find no command in my Bible to send the glad tidings of forgiveness to the women of India or Africa, while refusing to hold out a helping hand to those at our own door. Thus banded together and learning and doing the Father's will, we have sought to reach [578] and help every condition of womanhood, remembering that God is no respecter of persons. Sometimes, as we hear of work done by others, we imagine that the environment has been entirely different for our own home city or that the leaders have some peculiar power. But there is no royal road to building up a great woman's class. Love for the word of God and a deep interest in every individual member of the class--not as a class, but as a personal friend--will accomplish great things. There are so many lonely women in the world, and the teacher misses her opportunity when she fails to be a near friend to such a woman.

      It is not an easy thing to know three hundred women by name, their needs, their temptations, their burdens and their homes; but how can the teacher bring to them the message they long for without this knowledge? Aside from the study of God's word, nothing so prepares a teacher for the work of the Sunday morning lesson hour as talking heart to heart with her women in their own homes.

      It is one thing to teach the facts of the Bible; it is just as necessary to apply the facts to the daily needs of the women until they strengthen, comfort and sustain them in their various environments.

      Love is useless unless it reaches the women and touches their hearts, so systematic work is another important factor in making a class. The women of our city did not ask the privilege of being members of the class the day it was organized; we went after the people, not once, not twice, but until they came. We have worked more than a year for some women, and when they have come they have never ceased to be grateful that we wearied not in well-doing. The president of the class, who a few years ago was one of the most devoted card-players in our city, with tears of joy just said to me, "How can I ever repay the members of the class that they refused to give me up when I made every excuse possible for not attending Bible school?" For three years she has worked without ceasing, and her only regret is that much of her life was spent in half-hearted service.

      Loving perseverance will win always. Our women work in season and out of season. More than fifty women have pledged themselves to give two hours each week for calling under the direction of the membership committee. We have proved this fact, that women are glad to do personal work if they are only properly directed. Ask women to work for the class, and not much is accomplished; but give them definite calls to make, and they willingly respond. Like all Christian work, the worker increases her talent as she uses it, thus blessing herself as well as the one she seeks to help.

      This is a day of organizations for women. They will belong to some club

R. M. HOPKINS.

or lodge or circle. May we not use this condition to the glory of God and the transforming of many homes by gathering together the women of our land into great organizations for the study of the one Book that is more profitable than any other book on earth--the one Book that stands alone far above all other books, the inspired word of God?

      This brings out all that is best and truest in woman's nature. It lifts her above the drudgery of housework and makes this service one glad, joyous song, that God has counted her worthy to direct the destiny of her home.

      It brings into her life a culture that not all the literature on earth can give. It helps her to see the spark of divinity in her own family and to train her children, not for the things of time, but for their eternal happiness.

      A knowledge of this Book of books will make her great in soul power and crown her with the dignity and grace of a queen in her own household. It is worth while. It will bless in the life that now is and that which is to come.

      Count it a wondrous privilege, my sister, if the Father leads you into this service as teacher of his will. Be sure he will be with thee, he will sustain thee, he will help thee. [579]

      Chairman: I wish every woman in this Convention had heard that message.

      Solo by Mrs. Zoe Pearl Park.

      Chairman Gill: Our next number is a class demonstration--women's Bible class of Charleroi, Pa.--Mrs. H. C.

MRS. H. C. BOBLITT.

Boblitt, teacher.

      The class was seated upon the platform, and carried out the following program:

      Singing by the class.

      Prayer by a member of the class.

      Singing by the class.

      Reading of the secretary's report and its adoption.

      Reading of the treasurer's report and its adoption.

      Report of the Membership Committee in three divisions--Lookout, Calling and Sick.

      Report of Devotional Committee.

      Report of Literary Committee.

      Report of Social Committee.

      Adoption of all reports.

      Prayer by Mrs. Boblitt.

      Singing by the class.

      Scripture reading.

      Prayer.

      Scripture quotations by various members of the class.

      Singing by the class.

      Remarks by the teacher.

      Singing by the class, with hands joined, "Blessed Be the Tie that Binds."

      Announcements by the teacher.

      Secretary's report of last Sunday's meeting.

      Teacher's remarks on the lesson.

      Prayer by Mrs. Boblitt.

      Session closed with prayer by Mr. McDonald.

[CCR 576-580]