Getting and Keeping

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1884

Getting and Keeping.

THERE are Sabbath-schools which are always drawing in new scholars, without increasing the number of their scholars; just as there are preachers who are always drawing in new hearers, without increasing the size of their congregations; or, again, as there are newspapers which are always getting new subscribers without increasing their subscription list. It is one thing to have; it is another thing to hold. Having is essential to holding. So, again, is holding essential to having. In the long run, holding has quite as much to do with making a good school as having. A Massachusetts superintendent, writing about his methods of work, gives this as one of his principles of Sabbath-school conduct: "Keep in the school all who are there to-day, and the school will increase." There is a great truth in that statement of the case. Looking after the scholars who belong to the school is one of the most important features of Sabbath-school effort. Unless this is attended to, the scholars will suffer; so also with the school. Yet many scholars are coming into our schools to be neglected, and to drift out again unnoticed and uncared for. Can you show a good account of all the scholars who have been brought into your school during the past year? If any of them have left your school, do you know just when and why? Are you now following up the absent scholars, week by week, in order to their bringing back again? If you are, you are doing well, so far. If you are not, you are neglecting an all-important duty.—S. S. Times.