OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1878

OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

It will be seen by the report of the General Conference that an effort is making to create a more general interest in our Sabbath-schools. It was a little remarkable that many of the brethren came to the Conference specially anxious that something should be done for the Sabbath-schools, and resolved to do their utmost to bring the subject before the Conference, though none knew anything of the feelings of the others. We take this as evidence that the Spirit of God is moving on the hearts of our people in this matter.

The Battle Creek Sabbath-school workers had gone so far as to prepare a Sabbath-school Constitution, which they wished to submit to the Conference. All seemed to take a deep interest in the matter. The reason of this is very apparent. Seventh-day Adventists already have about six hundred companies who meet together Sabbath after Sabbath. There are probably from eight to ten thousand children and young persons among our people. It becomes a matter of the greatest importance to so instruct these children that they shall not only become acquainted with the truth, but that they shall become Christians before they grow up and go away from home to give up the Sabbath.

Our ministers are so busy in new fields that they cannot give much attention to this matter; hence we must look largely to our Sabbath-schools to save our children. But to succeed in this, the Sabbath-schools must be made very interesting. What can be done to help them? What course shall be taken to make them successful? We have much to learn in this matter; and hence we propose to commence immediately. It will be seen that a general organization was effected, and officers for the coming year properly elected. They will commence work forthwith.

A Sabbath-school song book adapted to our Sabbath-schools is greatly needed. We are glad to learn that one is being prepared at the California office of publication. We solicit brethren everywhere, who are interested in the Sabbath-school and have proper pieces of music and hymns, to send them there, that there may be a goodly number from which to select. This should be attended to now. Some improvements are needed in our question books. We have not enough adapted to very small infant classes, neither have we just what is wanted in organizing a Bible-class for the older persons in a new place. Prof. Bell agrees with us in this, and other brethren are earnestly considering this matter. Something will be done to meet these wants very soon.

Very little attention has been paid to the Sabbath-schools; very little has been said about them, either by our preachers or through the papers; hence most of our brethren know but little about them. We shall endeavor, therefore, to secure something every week for the REVIEW for some months to come, bearing directly upon this subject.

Brethren who have the most interest in the Sabbath-school will write articles bearing upon the different points. We invite our brethren and sisters generally to read the articles and inform themselves about the matter.

Perhaps the editor will give us a small place as a Sabbath-school department, during the spring. We invite our brethren and sisters who are interested, to write articles on the subject and forward them to us; also to send in questions concerning any point which is not clear to them. These will be answered through the REVIEW.

Please examine the Constitution which appears this week in another column.

Next week more may be expected on this subject. D. M. CANRIGHT.