ON THE

GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN

Delivered in PROVIDENCE, R. I., at Eight Conferences held

BETWEEN OCTOBER 21, 1903, AND MAY II, 1904

WITH APPENDIX

SECOND THOUSAND

PRINTED AND CIRCULATED

BY THE

ST. JOHN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

PREFACE.

During the year 1902-3 a series of Saturday afternoon conferences for pastors, addressed by Seminary Professors, was held at the Y. M. C. A. Hall in Providence. The subjects and speakers were as follows:

November 29, 1902. "The Unique Character of the Gospel of John". Professor M. W. Jacobus, D.D., and Professor C. S. Beardslee, D.D., of Hartford Theological Seminary.

January 31, 1903. "The Grace and Truth that came by Jesus Christ". (John 1: 17 and 1: 14). Professor George B. Stevens, D.D., and Professor Frank K. Sanders, D.D., of the Yale Divinity School.

March 7. "Johannine Antitheses". Professor Henry C. Sheldon, S.T.D., of the Boston University School of Theology.

April 18.

"The Father, the Saviour, the Comforter". (John 14). Professor William H. Ryder, D.D., of Andover Theological Seminary.

May 16.

"That they all may be one". (John 17). President W. H. P. Faunce, D.D., and Professor Henry T. Fowler, Ph.D., of Brown University. Several of the above named Professors spoke in churches of the city on themes in John's Gospel on the Sundays following the Conferences.

* Previous to this series of conferences many pastors in Rhode Island had taken up this Gospel in the mid-week meeting of the church. Dr. Henry M. King, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Providence, in introducing Professors Jacobus and Beardslee at the first of the above mentioned conferences spoke as follows concerning the experience of his own church the preceding year :

"I have never had a year of such prayer meetings in all my ministry. The attendance has been increased and an unusually large number of people have taken

* A series of monthly conferences had also been held in South-Western Washington County, R. I., under the auspices of a Washington County Interdenominational Committee of which Rev. Alexander McLearn, Pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Rockville, R. I., was chairman. The study of the Gospel was begun on December 4, 1900 (Rockville), and completed July 24, 1901. Between these dates over fifty conferences were held in fifteen different villages, three of these being held in Connecticut. Three chapters were taken each month. The conferences were conducted and addressed by the local pastors, assisted by the ministers of Westerly. Several speakers came from a distance, viz.: Professor Frederick L. Anderson, D.D., of Newton Theological Institution, Professor Wm. H. Ryder, D.D., of Andover Theological Seminary, Professor Charles F. Kent, Ph.D., of Brown University (now of Yale), Rev. L. L. Henson, D.D., and Rev. L. S. Woodworth, of Providence.

Through the courtesy of the editors of the local papers, viz.: Hon. George H. Utter of the Westerly Daily Sun, Mr. Edward T. Spencer of the Hope Valley Advertiser, and Mr. John Larkin of the Hope Valley Free Press, a series of "Talks on John's Gospel" had been published at frequent intervals, contributed to by well known ministers of Rhode Island and other states. It had been hoped that this valuable series might be included in the present volume, but the limits of space did not permit. A few of these articles, however, of a nature supplementary to the Providence Addresses are printed in the Appendix (see pp. 444-480). Those contributing to this series were the following: Rev. Edward Abbott, D.D., Rev. James Church Alvord, Rev. Wm. C. Bitting, D.D., Rev. George A. Conibear, Rev. Samuel M. Dick, Ph.D., Rev. John G. Dutton, Rev. Edward O. Grisbrook, Professor Doremus A. Hayes, Ph.D., S.T.D., LL.D., Rev. Dorr A.

part. The people were very sorry when we completed John's Gospel, and some of them would have been glad to go over the same course again. It has been a revelation of the deep things of God, and has stimulated our people to spread the truth more and more. John's Gospel stands as the crowning Gospel, nearest the heart of Christ. We have commended the work to others. There has been a continuity about it which has been most profitable. It has been helpful in many ways. The spiritual life of the church has been deepened and the sense of responsibility to win others to the same knowledge of Christ has been increased. I want to commend this as a system. We are now to take up John's Epistles in the same way".*

It has of course been a common practice for pastors to take up some one book of the Bible consecutively in the mid-week meeting. Professor F. L. Anderson of Newton had a most interesting experience with St. John's Gospel when pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Rochester, N. Y. One chapter was taken each week. The attendance was large, sometimes reaching 200. Each person attending was requested to read the chapter at least, once during the week and, if possible, once each day. At the meeting attention would be concentrated on one or two of the great themes of the chapter. Dr. Richards, of St. John's Church, Providence, relates that some years ago Phillips Brooks told him that he began to lecture weekly on St. John's Gospel the preceding fall, and that at the end of the winter was but half through. Dr. Richards laughed at his slow progress, tried the experiment himself, and at the end of the winter's lecturing found he had only reached chapter seven ! Probably the most effective method, the one that would hold the greatest interest of the greatest number, would be the more rapid one of a chapter a week, or at any rate the completing of the Gospel during the church year. This plan might be varied by taking, also, great themes of St. John occasionally at the Sabbath morning or evening service.

The interest in the series of Saturday afternoon conferences mentioned above was such as to warrant the suggestion of a more thorough-going effort the following

*Quoted from "The Polished Arrow ", organ of the Pawtucket Congregational Church, which was among the churches taking John's Gospel the current year.

Hudson, Rt. Rev. Frederick D. Huntington, S.T.D., D.C.L., LL.D., Rev. Reuben Kidner, Rev. Henry M. King, D.D., Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., Rev. Wm. W. McLane, Ph.D., D.D., Rev. Rennetts C. Miller, Rev. James Lee Mitchell, Ph.D., Rev. Wm. J. Mutch, Ph.D., Rev. Frederic Palmer, A.M., Rev. Arthur B. Patten, Rev. Edwin M. Poteat, D.D., Rev. C. A. L. Richards, D.D., Professor A. T. Robertson, D.D., Rev. E. Talmadge Root, Rev. George W. Shinn, D.D., Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., Rev. Willard Brown Thorp, Rev. Horace W. Tilden, D.D., Rev. James G. Vose, D.D., Rev. Wm. Hayes Ward, D.D., LL.D., Rev. Ernest G. Wellesley-Wesley, President Henry G. Weston, D.D., LL.D., Professor William C. Whitford, A.M., Professor Irving F. Wood, Ph.D., Rev. S. H. Woodrow, D.D.

During the absence in Palestine of Professor James S. Riggs, D.D., of Auburn Theological Seminary, who had consented to prepare for the pastors outlines on the Gospel, valuable outlines were prepared by Professor Edward E. Nourse of Hartford Theological Seminary. Subsequently outlines were prepared by Professor Riggs (76 pages), which were found exceedingly useful and stimulating by the churches using them. Of these outlines Professor Beardslee has written these words: "They are the work of a steady hand. In well-nigh every sentence a trained and tireless finger points straight at some problem or some treasure among the many with which this book abounds. I know of no guide at once so handy and so sure to shape the course of any honest and resolute explorer amidst the teeming wealth that here awaits and rewards all intent research". Professor Hayes has also written as follows: "I am delighted with them. They must be invaluable to beginning students of the Gospel according to John: and mature students must find much in them that is stimulating and suggestive. I should think that one who would master all the outlines, answer all the questions, study all the topics for research, and read all the suggested literature might well begin to feel like an expert himself, in this field. They are the helps which only a master could furnish: and we may all feel grateful for the work he has done for us". It is hoped that they may be published by the author.

Papers were printed on individual chapters of the Gospel contributed by the following: Professor D. A. Hayes, S.T.D., of Garrett Biblical Institute (Chapter 2); Professor Charles C. Camp, of Seabury

year. At the final conference, held on May 16, 1903, the following resolution was adopted

"WHEREAS, The Gospel of John occupies a central and commanding position among the New Testament writings, owing to its deep unfolding of the truths of Christ and to its intimate disclosure of the heart and mind of the Master, and "WHEREAS, These truths of Christ are the fundamental principles of Christianity and the very life blood of the Christian Church,

66

'Therefore, be it Resolved, That we do recommend to the churches of the city and state special study of and work with this Gospel during the months of the coming year in such ways as may commend themselves to the individual pastors. We would suggest, as a central source of inspiration and suggestion, a series of conferences to be held at stated intervals during the year, at which teachers and preachers of the different denominations shall be asked to speak with the aim of bringing strongly home to the hearts and minds of both ministers and people these deep, vital truths so essential to the vigorous life and work of the church".

In accordance with this resolution a committee was appointed to have charge of the conferences consisting of the following pastors of Providence and Pawtucket :

Rev. Carter E. Cate, D.D., Chairman, Rev. Arthur M. Aucock, Rev. Frank J.

Divinity School (Chapter 4); Professor Edward I. Bosworth, D.D., of Oberlin Theological Seminary (Chapter 6); Professor F. L. Anderson, D.D., of Newton Theological Institution (Chapter 12). The deepest obligation was felt by the Washington County pastors to all who, in these various ways, so generously assisted them.

The conferences were greatly enjoyed and the opportunity to listen to continuous expositions of large sections of the scripture was appreciated. The verdict of those attending them was, "We are glad to have the ministers get behind the Gospel".

The following is a schedule of the local conferences held on Chapters 13, 14 and 15. Other places at which conferences were held during the season were Shannock and Hope Valley, R. I.; other pastors giving addresses were Rev. L. F. Randolph, Rev. John M. Paige, Rev. Warren Dawley, Rev. F. C. Baker, Rev. Wm. J. Sholar.

* Sermon, evening, Rev. Wm. L. Swan. † Also brief address by Rev. Alexander McLearn. 1Afternoon. 2Afternoon and Evening. 3Morning and Afternoon (Seventh Day Baptist). 4Evening.

5Morning.