THE Bible class of Judge Stockbridge, at the Associate Reformed Church, will to-day listen to the views of one of the leading Christian Scientists in local circles. This class is composed of from fifty to seventy members, as the attendance varies, and since January i has each Sunday heard some prominent advocate of a sect assertedly founded upon the life and teachings of the Christ. These gentlemen have, in turn, explained the tenets of belief and pleaded the cause of each individual's faith.
Here is an exceptionally liberal method of studying Christianity in all its various trends and sections, the sole exceptions being made in the case of Orthodox and Reformed Judaism, which eliminate the story of the Christ, and are founded exclusively upon the books forming the O)d Testament. The idea embodied in the course of this Bible class is one that should develop unusual proficiency in religious matters, and, while not evangelical in character, must, nevertheless, strengthen the student's religious convictions if research and knowledge are promoters of Christian faith.
There is a reminder here of the first sermon preached by the disciple to the Gentiles Paul of Tarsus who, upon reaching Athens, which had reached the most advanced state of intellectual development then upon the globe, found upon the Areopagus or Hill of Mars an altar dedicated to the unknown god. Here the intellectual men of Athens assembled to hear those who wished to preach or instruct. Here Paul found his most attentive audience and dedicated the altar to the unknown god, to the true and living Divinity whom he served.
