p. 29 | Sabbath Schools by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1866

Sabbath Schools.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

I THINK that we need something more said and done about Sabbath Schools among us as a people. So far as my experience goes, we are sadly lacking on this point. Many churches have none at all. This is not as it should be. The excuse is, that none but Sabbath-keepers will attend on the seventh-day, and often there are but few children among the Sabbath-keepers. But if there were only two children, they need instruction. If there are six or eight, there is no good reason why they cannot have a Sabbath School. Do we not all know and acknowledge its blessings and utility? Often here the first seeds of truth are sown in the tender heart, the first impressions of the gospel and of religion made, the first resolutions to do right are here made or strengthened. Here the tender mind receives impressions which last through life; here it learns to know and love that which is good, and receives strength to resist the temptations of after life.

I once heard an aged Chief Justice say, that criminals were seldom those who had been brought up in Sabbath School. This is reasonable. In youth we form habits which last through life. Brethren and sisters, especially parents, do you realize the truth and importance of this? Will you then because it requires an effort on your part, be negligent in this matter, and let your children go to perdition when they might be saved? "As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined." Will you fail to bend it in the right direction? There are thousands of children among the Sabbath-keepers now. They must be saved or lost when Christ comes. They cannot be saved unless they are good. Father, mother, what are you doing to save that child you now love so well? Letting it have its own way, taking no pains to have it go to Sabbath School, nor to go yourself? If so, its blood will be required at your hands in the judgment. I know of many who are doing this very thing now, and it is time to reform. But if we wish to have a Sabbath School and Bible Class, how shall we begin? What shall we do, and how shall we instruct them? For lack of information on these points, nothing is done in many places where there might be large schools. Can not some of our brethren who have had long experience in this thing, give us some instruction through the Review that will benefit all? Will not the Superintendent of the Battle Creek Sabbath School tell us how they conduct their school? also the Superintendent of the Monterey school, or any other flourishing school, anywhere?

I have had a little experience in this of late, and hoping that it will benefit some, I will give it. First, lay it down an indisputable fact that all ought to have an interest in the Sabbath School and Bible Class. None can be excused, neither parents, older brothers and sisters, nor children. If A. has a right to stay away, B. has; and if B. has C. has; and so on to the bottom of the line. If the parents have not interest enough to go, the children will not long; if one stays away, another will; this creates discouragement, and the whole school goes down. Therefore every Sabbath-keeper is under a solemn obligation to take part in this matter. They may get up all the excuses they please to satisfy their guilty consciences, but if they stay away, the real truth is, they lack interest in the cause of God, their own salvation, and that of their children. Proof: If they were to get $2.00 every time they attended, how often would they be absent? Not once!

When we all get together, the order of the school with us has been this: 1. Singing. 2. Prayer. 3. Repeating the ten commandments. Every one takes part in this, both old and young. We repeat them slowly in concert. We are particular to have every little word just right. We then learn to skip around on them. The teacher says, "Sixth, ninth, fifth," &c., and all repeat that one. Having drilled them on this several weeks till they get it perfect, we next learn the books in the Bible in their order, so that we can say them forward and back, and give the chapters in each readily. Having repeated these long enough, we learn and repeat in concert the names of the twelve apostles, also the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, &c. 4. Then the classes recite their lessons. The children learn some portion of the Bible on which the teachers instruct them according to their abilities. In some places we have question books for them. This I think is better. The older ones all join in the Bible Class. If there are above fifteen, we have two classes. One in the History of the Sabbath, using the question book on it, which I suppose can be had at the Office for ten cents a piece; and another class which uses the Union Question Book on the Bible. This is a good thing though there may be a few things which we do not believe. 5. Then each one stands up and repeats a verse of scripture containing some word which was given out the week before, as sin, law, &c. This is a very interesting and instructive exercise. 6. We have a short general lesson for all on some portion of the Bible. The Superintendent asks such questions on it as all can answer. 7. All join in repeating the Lord's prayer. This closes the school.

We have found this order to be very good. If any one can propose an improvement, please do so. At Norridgewock, Me., we have a library selected from the best books which we can find. If any wish instruction where to get these books, I can inform them. $25.00 will get a very good library. I would urge upon the churches in Maine, who have not already done it, the necessity of setting about this work now. From what I have seen accomplished in the past few weeks, I feel encouraged to make a greater effort in this direction. If there are only six or eight of you, there are enough to have a Bible Class. Brethren and sisters you must work in this cause. The minister cannot do it all. The Lord is at hand. Let us be alive and show that we appreciate it. Brethren shall we hear from you about this matter?

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Norridgewock, Me., Dec. 5.