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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
METHODISTS FAVOR RELIGION IN EDUCATION
(From Press
Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 1 1.—The chief work of the
North Georgia Conference session today was devoted
almost exclusively to consideration of the great Chris
tian education movement as launched by the Southern
Methodist General Conference of two and one-half
years ago.
During the forenoon cession of the conference at
tention was directed to the education movement, four
speakers discussing various phases of the great work.
The plan of the Southern Methodist denomination
is to bring to the hearts and consciences of the mem
bers of that denomination the real facts as to the
education situation in the United States. THEY
JUDGE THE SITUATION TO BE ALARMING TO
SUCH AN EXTENT THAT AMERICA’S SALVA
TION IS THREATENED.
This idea is borne out by the fact that more than
50 per cent of the distinguished professors in this
country do not believe in God, and that the vast
majority of young men graduating from institutions
of high learning come out with their faith wrecked.
Since only one per cent of America’s population are
college graduates, which one per cent of the popu
lation furnishes 59 per cent of the leaders in na
tional life, the Church deems it a divinely appointed
task to make education in America Christian.
Following Bishop Candler’s opening address, Dr.
H. N. Snyder, president of Wofford College and asso
ciate editor of the education movement, spoke of the
objectives of the movement.
Dr. Snyder said: “This movement is indicative of
Methodism’s interest in education, which is church
wide as well as local. Our first objective is to get
the message into the minds of the nearly 3,000,000
Dispatches.)
Methodists. Another objective is to arouse the con
viction that we ought to do what we can do, with a
faith and will to do what ought to be done, conse
crating ourselves and substance to the divine call.
“The movement is an authorized one, and is but the
second half of the great centenary movement. The
movement contemplates devoting much effort towards
training Christian workers and assisting institutions
in teacher training and training men for the ministry.
To give an adequate conception of Christian educa
tion and to deepen the spiritual life of the church are
also other objectives.’’
Dr. A. F. Watkins, president of Millsaps College,
Jackson, Miss., spoke of the compelling appeal of the
Christian education movement, urging the need of
such work today when leaders of Christian character
were never in greater demand.
Dr. W. B. Beauchamp, of Nashville, director gen
eral of the centenary campaign, spoke of the part in
the centenary program the education movement occu
pies. He argued the time to be auspicious such as
would command the church not to play a recessional,
but, as it has ever done, not falter in the face of a
difficult task. He said the urgent need of such a
work Is seen in the enormous number of untrained
ministers that are from year to year being used as
supplies. The whole Methodist connection in the
South thus employs 1,066 such men, 42 of whom are
in this conference. He appealed for courage, faith
and consecration on the part of the preachers and
people.
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon the education pro
gram was taken up again, Dr. J. E. Dickey presiding
in the absence of Bishop Candler.
OTHER PEOPLE’S VIEWS:
A WOMAN’S IDEA OF LAY CATHOLIC ACTIVITIES
By MRS.
One of the thinking feminine members of the As
sociation, asked for her views of the field of the
organization’s endeavor, has written the following ex
cellent reply. It is commended to all readers of The
Bulletin. Similar expressions are sought from both
men and women Catholics. Send to The Bulletin,
room 409, Herald Building, Augusta, Ga.:
I would recommend information, more information,
discussion, more discussion, then action. I believe
that a thirst for information should dominate our
minds, actuated by the purest Christian principles of
the love of our God and our neighbor.
I believe our Catholic men and women should form
many clubs for discussion of the History of our
Church, the History of the world generally, the His
tory of our own country, in particular. As the past,
so the future, and we must be familiar with that
past, to act with wisdom in the present and the fu
ture. That is why our President, the great Woodrow
Wilson, is great and will be known in history as a
benefactor of the world. He judges as a historian.
Pope Leo XIII so expressed himself in his wonderful
Encyclical on the condition of labor.
I believe that this Encyclical should be in the hands
of every Catholic and Protestant as well; in the heart
of every employer and employee. It should be studied
by every Catholic Club as well as his letter on Chris
tian Democracy. I would like to see these great doc
uments printed by the thousands, and scattered broad
cast that all might read.
The problems of Socialism, Capital and Labor,
forms of government, should be studied by every wo
man as well as every man, for woman is now a voter,