and a discussion was in progress concerning the use of the Bible in
the class during the study of the lesson.
"Would it not be preferable," asked an interested visitor, "to use the
Bible in the class during the study of the lesson, and use the special
helps only for preparation?"
"Don't think of it, don't think of it!" abruptly answered the teacher.
"It would only be a step backward."
"It appears to me," continued the visitor, "that our young people ought
to become more familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if it
were used in connection with the study of the lesson it would surely
prove to be a valuable help, even beyond what the present system
affords."
"And would you throw aside all the very valuable side lights to the
lesson that are being produced in such rich variety and abundance?'
hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who was present on a furlough.
"Nay, nay," earnestly spoke the visitor, "let the press go on, but let
not its fruit be substituted for the bread of life. Fruit is good,
delicious and healthful, but we need the staff of life. _Let the real
actual Bible be handled and used in the teaching of the lesson. Then
whatever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may be brought into
service_. That is my platform, pure and simple."
The leader of the meeting was agitated. He impatiently rose to his
feet before the last words had fallen from the visitor's lips.
"Let us use reason," he said, with a light vein of sarcasm in his
voice. "Is it not true that the average child sees enough of the Bible
in his home and in the public schools, and that he greatly relishes
a change when he comes to the Sunday school?"
"That's only too true," spoke up the worldly element who were there
in large numbers.
"Let me assure you," continued the speaker as he was warming to his
theme under false fires of devilish sophistry, "in the day when the
Bible was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual ignorance
abounded more than now."
"Why not be satisfied with rapid advancement, instead of inviting
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