Bible Study At The University

"While the university is a center of a keen, comprehensive, intellectual life, it must also be a center of a deep spiritual life if it would lead its students to the highest manhood and womanhood. There is but one sure way of keeping alive and fostering the spiritual nature, and that way is by careful Jiible study. Until recently there was no provisión for Bible study in tb, university proper, except a valuable course in New Testament, Greek by Prof. D'Ooge. This, however, was a critical study of the Greek found in the New Testament. Last year Prof. Belser gave three courses in the Bible for philological students- one for the Ilebrew class in the Psalms and minor prophets and two for the Greek class in the epistles of St. Paul. These courses proved so interesting and valuable that Prof. Belser will add a number of new courses the coming year. But for systematic study of the English Bible we must look to the Students' Christian Association. Two years go there were no classes under the direct control of the S. C. A. It was due to the efforts of our president, W. II. Nichols, that early in 1891 Prof. W. R. Harper held a two days' Bible iustitute, which marks the beginning of earnesU systematic Bible study in the university. Prof. Harper was assisted by members of the faculty and two days were given to the study of Isaiah. The meetings were largely attended, and much interest in the Bible was aroused. As a result, more tban 100 students entered the Bible classes formed at the beginning of that college year. Nor was the interest short-lived' as may be seen from the fact that h've Bible classes were organized by W. W. Bishop and continued throughout the past year under competent leaders. In November of last year Prof. Burnham, of Colgate, also gave a most interesting and instructive series of readings in the minor prophets. We hope that what has been done is but the beginning of greater things. There will be at least twelve courses offered in Bible study this college year, which, for variety of subject-matter and competent leadership, are, so far as we can learn, unequaled by any other institution, excepting, of course, theological schools. For the benefit of young men and women, who are thinking of goingto Ann Arbor, forparents, who may have children there, and for any who may have friends there or are interested in knowing what the S. C. A, of the U. of M. offers to all students, we desire to cali attention to some of the courses offered the coming year. 1. Christian Evidences- Prof. F. N. Scott: Prof. Scott is a young man of rare ability and any one who takes this course will be richly paid. 2. Teachings of St. Paul- Prof . C. W. Belser: The rapid growth of Bible study in the university has been largely due to Prof. Belser, and the student will receive in this class the fruits of a long, careful study of Paui's writings. 3. The Mosaic Law- Prof. B. M. Thompson and Prof. J. C. Knowlton, both of the law department: Especially to law students will this course afford a rare opportunity for studying that valuable but much neglected part of the Old Testament. As to the leaders of these classes, they are known wherever the law department is known. 4. The Life of Christ- Prof. F. C. Wagner: This will be a careful study of Christ's life, with which every student's education should begin. 5. Women of Sacred History- Mrs. Prof. Carhart: Mrs. Carhart has made her subject a study for years and has given this course with great success. It wil) offer to young ladies a rare opportunity to study not only the women of the Bible, but noble women of all ages. 6. Life of Christ in Luke- This class will be led by the general secretary and will attempt to master the one Gospel. 7. Ten studies in Isaiah (second semester)- Prof. C. W. Belser. Young men and women, begin the study of your Bible with your college course. Au hour a week for four years will do wonders. ' You may never have such an opportunity again. Pastors, impress the importance of this upon the young men and women who may be going there; and, parents, cali the attention of your children to the advantaees upon to them for Bible study in Ann Arbor. To arouse interest and lay the foundation for the year's work there will be held in Ann Arbor, üctober 28-80, a Bible iifstitute, under the direction of Profs. I. M. Price and O. W. Yotaw, both of the new Chicago -University. Who should attend the uuiversity? Pastors, for it will give them new enthusiasm and new methods of unlocking the treasure-house; Sunday school teachers, for they will receive an impetüs in their work which will carry ;hem through the whole year; and above all, college secretarles and students, for they will get a comprehensive view of some portion of the Book such as they never had bef ore. Just a word as to methods. All Bible study in the L'. of M. is inductivo. rhere are no dogmatic theology or doctrines taught or upheld. Each student studies the Bible and draws therefrom bis own conclusions. For urther Information write to C. A. Bowen, chairman of the Bible