How Do Your Scholars Spend the Sabbath? by William Clarence White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 6, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 30.

How Do Your Scholars Spend the Sabbath?

By William Clarence White

THE Sabbath-school teacher who has a deep interest in the welfare of his scholars, will not willingly remain ignorant of how they spend the Sabbath hours. He knows that the spiritual and moral growth of his pupils depends as much upon the way they spend the remainder of the day, as upon the character and fitness of the instruction received at the Sabbath-school and church service. He knows that the temptations of the youth are strong, that the habit of irreverence is almost universal, and that in many cases, parents are indifferent to, or ignorant of, the multitude of temptations that beset the young to break the Sabbath, if not by open act, by words and thoughts.

It has been truly said that if men had always kept the Sabbath, there would never have been an idolater or a heathen; and we believe that if the youth and children of this generation were properly taught to keep the Sabbath, there would not be an infidel or an impenitent one in their number.

The thoughtful teacher knows too well that the deeper the conviction, the more solemn the impression made upon the young mind, by the lesson or the sermon, the greater is the condemnation and discouragement, if by old habits or associations, the youth is betrayed into sins he has resolved to abandon; and therefore many a word of counsel or entreaty which springs to the teacher's lips is never spoken.

If a portion of the holy day is spent in reading light and trashy literature, or in frivolous conversation, of how little avail are Scripture lessons and moral instruction; for frivolous conversation and light reading corrupt the mind, and sully the conscience, and spoil the taste for that which is good. When this is accomplished, holy conversation, the study of the Sabbath-school lesson, reading the Bible, and the reading of truly valuable books, is distasteful and a burden.

But what can the Sabbath-school teacher do to check the evil, and to encourage the right use of the sacred hours? Much every way. The teacher can learn at what time each scholar learns the lesson, how much time upon the Sabbath is devoted to its study, what portions of the Bible have been read most, and what religious and historical books the student has read or is reading. Beginning with these points, he will soon know what occupies the Sabbath hours. He will also learn what good books are within the scholar's reach that he has not read. Often the teacher can obtain for his pupils the use of good books, and can arouse an interest in them by relating some of the incidents contained in, or connected with them. Sometimes he can secure the exchange of good books by his scholars, and he should be very careful to discourage the reading of those that are not good.

The faithful teacher will work in harmony with those parents who are alive to the spiritual welfare of their children, and will enlist the co-operation of those that are indifferent. There should always be a perfect understanding between parent and teacher.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR THE LITTLE ONES?

When we come to consider what the teacher can do to help the little ones to keep the Sabbath, our task becomes more difficult; for here the teacher must work principally through the parents. The teacher can do much to help; but with the parents and older brothers and sisters lies the duty of "making the Sabbath a delight, holy unto the Lord, and honorable." The influential teacher may do much to secure special attention to the children at home on the Sabbath, that the day may not be tedious and uninteresting, so that they feel to rejoice when its hours are past; but that it may be a day that they will look forward to with pleasure, as a time when father and mother will read to them, and tell them the very best stories, will show them the wonderful things that God has made, and explain the use and beauty of plants and flowers. The story of creation may be taught the children over and over again, not in the same words, but as illustrated by different objects which arouse the child's curiosity. Then, while the mind is filled with wonder, the lesson of reverence to God, and obedience in keeping holy his Sabbath, can be often taught.

Very early, children should be taught to reverence the house of worship, and here the teacher may exert a powerful influence both by precept and example. As a people we lack reverence for the house of God; and while older ones are trying to reform bad habits, let the children be taught right. We believe the old English custom was a good one, for each teacher to keep all his class with him till after the church service. Whenever the parents desire it, we recommend our teachers to continue their watchcare of their scholars till the church service is closed.—W. C. White, in Sabbath-School Worker.