BEREANI. — This is the name given to the followers of a Scottish sect that, wishing to imitate the Christians of Berea (Acts 17:11), read Scripture every day. Its founder was John Barclay (1734–98), a Presbyterian minister of the Church of Scotland, from which he separated. In Italy there exists the Berea Union, which publishes small booklets with one or more biblical verses on each page, distributed for each day of the year, with the obligation for members to learn a biblical passage every week.
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Bibl.:** Anon., *The Denominational Reason Why*, London 1890; Unione di Berea, *Appunti sui passi biblici per il 1929*, Arezzo 1928; *Berean Verses for Pockets and Purses*, London 1933.