Elder A. A. Cone was about the first to develop the Community Bible School, reporting the plan through the invitation of The Ministry. Others have successfully employed this Bible-study method in varying forms. Elder Cone conducts one of the most successful neighborhood Bible schools held among us. Our workers will profit by the further recital of these tried and tested Plans. The enrollment card will likewise prove helpful.—Editor.
We are meeting with more than ordinary success in our Community Bible School work here in Milwaukee. Our classes are so large that we are really finding it embarrassing. Holding these classes in the various parts of the city has awakened the spirit of inquiry till there are calls coming from nearly every section of the city from people who want to enroll in Bible schools.
We started a new class a few weeks ago, after a group of interested people came to our prayer meeting and said to me, "You just must do something for us. We have waited several months, and we feel that we must have help. We believe, from the investigations we have made, that you people have the correct understanding of the Bible, and we want you to teach it to us. We are willing to go anywhere in the city, and on any night in the week that will be convenient to you, but you just must come to our help."
This class opened with an enrollment of twenty-three. On the second class night, three more were added, making twenty-six. On the third night, more enrolled. Some dropped out because of sickness in the home, but the fourth night the class numbered twenty-nine. We were forced to close the doors to all newcomers, and state that we positively could receive no more members into this class.
Two members of the group had learned of the tithing principle, and they asked me for envelopes, so that they could turn their tithe into our church each week. I had but one free night in the week, and had hoped to keep that night open for other things; but what could I say? Instead of our having to "go out ... and compel them to come in," they are now coming to us and literally compelling us to teach them the truth.
The day before we were to open this new class, a woman from away over on the other side of the city telephoned and said that she understood we were to start a new Community Bible School the following night, and urged that she be permitted to enroll. She expressed her willingness to go to any section oi the city to attend the class. We learned later that she is a Roman Catholic, but is not at all satisfied with her church.
A public school teacher, who lives on the opposite side of the city, also asked to enroll in the class. Inasmuch as the people were to come from so many parts of the city, we decided to open this class in our own home. We have two large rooms that open into each other ; so we thought we could probably seat more people than might be possible in another home. But the class is seriously taxing the seating capacity in our home, even though I have eight folding chairs for use in emergencies.
Here is a sample of an enrollment card we are using to very good advantage.
