BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION OF AMERICA.
(1) Organization and Aim. The Baptist Young People's Union of America was organized at a large and representative convention held in the Second Baptist Church, Chicago, III., July 7-8, 4891. In common with other bodies of Chris tians, our Baptist churches had felt the quicken ing influence of what had come to be known as the Young People's Movement. It was felt that the forces of our Baptist young people should be unified and directed toward the attainment of the common interests and ends of our denomina tional life. Out of the discussions which ensued, the Baptist Young People's Union of America was born, its object being clearly defined in the following article from its constitution: "The object of this organization shall be the unification of Baptist young people; their in creased spirituality; their stimulation in Christian service; their edification in Scripture knowledge; their instruction in Baptist doctrine and history; and their enlistment in all missionary activity through existing denominational organizations." While it is thus distinctively denominational, as its name implies, yet within these lines it is broadly inclusive. It seeks to effect a fraternal union of all Baptist young people's societies in America. It does not insist upon uniformity of name or constitution. It undertakes no legisla tive function over local societies. It simply seeks to bring all these societies into helpful fellowship and active cooperation, and to relate them prop erly to our great denominational societies.
(2) Educational Work. The feature of this new movement which from the outset differen tiated it most clearly from the Young People's Movement in general was the educational feature. There was a strong conviction that the enthusiasm which had been quickened needed to be supple mented and guided by instruction in Christian truth. It was felt, moreover, that our young people should be trained to an intelligent and self-respecting denominational loyalty, and to ac tive enlistment in the support of the missionary activities of our body. This, in turn, involved
indoctrination in distinctive principles and in formation concerning missionary operations.
The educational plans of the Union have taken form in what are popularly known as the Chris tian Culture Courses. These courses are three in number, each extending through four years. The Bible Readers' Course provides for the read ing of the entire Scriptures, the first year be;lig devoted to the historical, the second to the pro phetical, the third to the epistolary and the fourth to the poetical, books. 'Hie Daily Readings are accompanied by introductions to the several books and by brief analytical notes. The Sacred Litera ture Course aims to give a broader survey. Les sons in this course are prepared by eminent Bibli cal scholars, which treat in successive years: "Preparations for the Messiah," "The Life and Times of Christ ;" "The Dawn of and "The Development of I listory and Doctrine" These lessons extend through twenty-five weeks each year. The Conquest Missionary Course is designed to present a progressive view of Bap tist Missions, under several heads: "Convictions and Beginnings;" "Organizations and Methods;" "Fields and Operations;" and "Leaders and Tri umphs." The study period of these courses extends through twenty-five weeks, beginning October 1st and ending April 1st, and is supplemented by an examination in May. The number of ex amination papers received in 190o was 15,162. To those who regard the Young People's Move ment as expending itself in the excitement of great conventions these figures are submitted as indicating a substantial residuum. The bene ficial effects of such courses of study admit of no question. They cannot fail to result in a more intelligent type of Christian character, and in a larger effectiveness for Christian service.
Similar courses of study, though simpler in form, are provided for the Junior department. The material for these courses is published for the Senior department in The Baptist Union, and for the Junior department in The Junior Baptist Union.