FAMILY SABBATH-SCHOOLS by W. E. Dawson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1879

FAMILY SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By W. E. Dawson

No phase of the work for the advancement of present truth is more noticeable than the recent waking up of our people to the importance of the Sabbath-school work. Organization and system—the same forces which have proved so efficient in other departments of the cause—are being brought to bear, and are taking the place of independent action and confusion. The Sabbath-school interest has received an unusual degree of attention in the REVIEW and its Supplements, and now demands a weekly edition of the Instructor. The requisite talent has been enlisted to supply our children with hymns of praise free from popular fable, and with Bible Lessons suited to every age and condition of mind.

In short, a general effort is being made to put new life and interest into the work.

Of course, those living in communities where regular Sabbath meetings are maintained are the first to feel the impulse of this forward movement. But why can there not be such a movement “all along the line”? Certainly we who are denied the privilege of joining with our brethren in the worship of God on his holy day, have as great need for a good understanding of his word as have others more fortunately situated.

There is always a great temptation to misspend the Sabbath. This temptation is, no doubt, strongest with us who are compelled to spend our Sabbaths alone.

What a barrier would be erected against the intruding cares, anxieties, and idle thoughts which steal our Sabbaths away from us, if we would only resolutely set apart a portion of the day to the study of God's word.

Most of us, no doubt, spend some portion of the Sabbath in studying the Bible; but we need to learn the value of a systematic course of study, and an appointed time for it.

In short, we all need the Sabbath-school, and where we cannot unite with others in this capacity, there should be such a school in every Sabbath-keeping family.

No Christian feels at liberty to neglect the worship of God merely because he is not surrounded by sympathizing worshipers. No one who prizes the word of God can afford to neglect its systematic study, even though he may be entirely alone in prosecuting that study.

True, where but few of us meet together, we cannot in all cases have a complete Sabbath-school organization; but we can have all the essential features of the best Sabbath-school in the land. We can have the same helps to Bible study, and the same careful preparation of the lesson. We can have a regular hour for recitation, and no tardiness of others will disturb the promptness of our exercises. And, finally, we can ask and receive the blessing of God on our humble efforts to obtain a better understanding of his word.

This idea of family schools for the study of God's word is not a new one. It is as old as the days of Moses. Please read Deut. 11 : 19–21. W. E. DAWSON.