OUR SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK.
By J. LAMONT
The work of the Sabbath-school is to teach young persons, as well as those who are older, what God's will is concerning us, our duties to him and to each other, in short, the narrow way from this world to the better one. The first thing to be considered is, perhaps, the best method or methods of imparting, receiving, and retaining this desirable information. Our text book is just what it should be—prepared expressly for us, perfectly adapted to our wants, exactly suited to our capacities. It was written by holy men of old, who wrote as they were moved by the Spirit of our Heavenly Father. It needs no improvement—is not susceptible of any. But oh, for teachers to properly use this blessed Book of books! The teacher must realize the greatness of his work. He must see that its results reach into a never-ending eternity; and that the future weal or woe, life or death, of each pupil depends, in a great measure upon himself. Do not those who “feed the lambs” need to study to show themselves “workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth?” Any school, whether Sabbath or week-day, is just what the teacher or teachers make it. Our Sabbath-schools compare favorably with the Sunday-schools of the land; but they are not the standard by which we measure. Let our ideal school be perfection’s self; then keep working toward the standard. Think all the week as to the best way to interest and instruct your class. The Lord helps those who help themselves. Years of earnest study are required of the teacher who aspires to a place in the graded schools of our cities. He must become so familiar with his subjects that he will always be ready to explain them. Compare this with the hasty half-hour that some Sabbath-school teachers devote to a surface examination of the most important lessons—lessons that Jesus came all the way from Heaven to bring them. But you haven't time to properly prepare these lessons. The Lord of glory, although he had a whole universe to attend to, “took time” to bring these Sabbath-school lessons to you; will you not, then, take time to master, not the subjects only, but the best manner of presenting them to your classes? J. LAMONT.