AMEN | AdventAI

Training-School Pub. Ass'n, Ltd. · Battle Creek, Michigan · May 1900

FromTraining School Advocate, Vol. 2, No. 5.

“AMEN.”

A RUSTLE of robes as the anthem Soared gently away on the air— The Sabbath morn’s service was over, And briskly I stepped down the stair; When close in a half-lighted corner, Where the tall pulpit stairway came down, Asleep crouched a tender, wee maiden, With hair like a shadowy crown.

Quite puzzled was I by the vision, But gently to wake her I spoke; When, at the first word, the small damsel With one little gasp, straight awoke. “What brought you here, fair little angel?” She answered with voice like a bell: “I tum tos I’ve dot a sick mama, And want ’oo to please pray her well!”

“Who told you?” began I; she stopped me, “Don’t nobody told me at all: And papa can’t see, tos he’s cryin’, And ’sides, sir, I isn’t so small; I’se been here before with my mama, We tummed when you ringed the big bell; And ev’ry time I’se heard you prayin’ For lots o’ sick folks to dit well.”

Together we knelt on the stairway, As humbly I asked the Great Power To give back health to the mother, And banish bereavement’s dark hour. I finished the simple petition, And paused for a moment; and then A sweet little voice at my elbow Lisped softly and gently “Amen!”

Hand in hand we turned our steps homeward, The little maid’s tongue knew no rest; She prattled and mimicked and carolled; The shadow was gone from her breast; And lo! when we reached the fair dwelling, The nest of my golden-haired waif, We found that the dearly loved mother Was past the dread crisis, and safe.

They listened, amazed at my story, And wept o’er their darling’s strange guest; While the arms of the pale, loving mother Drew the brave little head to her breast. With eyes that were brimming and grateful, They thanked me again and again; Yet I know in my heart that the blessing Was won by that gentle “Amen.”

— Expositor.

In the Early Christian Church.

“The purpose of the early Christian parents, as of the Jews, was to train up their children in the fear of God. In order that the children might be exposed as little as possible to the corrupting influence of heathen associations, their education was conducted within the healthful precincts of the home. As a result, they grew up without a taste for debasing pleasures; they acquired simple, domestic tastes; and when the time came, they took their place as consistent and earnest workers in the church. . . .

“The history of the patriarchs and prophets, apostles and holy men, whose lives are narrated in the Sacred Volume, were the nursery-tales with which they sought to form the tender minds of their children. As the mind of the child expanded, the parents made it their sacred duty and delightful task daily to exercise him in the recital of select passages of Scripture relating to the doctrines and duties of religion. The Bible was the entertainment of the fireside. It was the first, the last, the only schoolbook almost, of the child.” — Painter, in “History of Education.”

During the Reformation.

“Busy yourselves with your children, for many parents are like ostriches; they are hardened toward their little ones, and satisfied with having laid the egg, they care nothing for it afterwards. . . .

“The common man does not think that he is under obligation to God and the world to send his son to school. Every one thinks he is free to bring up his son as he pleases, no matter what becomes of God’s word and command. . . . No one thinks that God has earnestly willed and commanded that children be brought up to his praise and work, — a thing that can not be done without schools. — Martin Luther.

“In all our churches and wherever there is a company of believers, church schools should be established, and in these schools there should be teachers who have the true missionary spirit; for the children are to be trained to become missionaries. . . . There is earnest work to be done for the children. Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon all the dwellers upon the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to serve him. Gather your children into your own houses; gather them in from the classes who are voicing the words of Satan. . . . Get out of the cities as soon as possible: Establish church schools. Gather in your children, and give them the word of God as the foundation of all their education.” — U. T.