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THE SABBATH-SCHOOL

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 12, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 24.

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THE SABBATH-SCHOOL.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

BY ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT.
In the commencement of our work as a people we had everything to learn; consequently many things were neglected, and the Sabbath-school was one of them. As the result, the children of Seventh-day Adventists are not so well instructed in the word of God as they should be. In the churches around us, Sunday-schools are considered very important, and every inducement is offered to get the children to attend them and to learn the lessons. In some instances these children know more of their doctrines than our children do of ours. Especially is this true of the children of Catholics. This should not be so.
Most other churches have settled pastors, but ours do not. Many of our churches do not see a minister more than two or three times a year; and when the minister does come he has the missions, the T. and M. work, and other matters to look after, and hence does not have much to say which is of particular interest to the children. As a consequence, the great burden of the work of instructing the young comes upon the older brethren and sisters. It is very important that this work be properly done, that the minds of the little ones receive right impressions, and God will hold them responsible for the performance of this duty. But frequently opportunities to impress the truths of God's word upon the young mind are allowed to pass unimproved. It is often the case that when the children come to their parents with some question about their Sabbath-school lesson, father and mother are so hurried that they cannot stop to give them the desired information. Seeing their parents take so little interest in the Sabbath-school, the children soon lose theirs, and by-and-by, when they grow up and mingle with the world, they give up the Sabbath and become worldlings. Then the parents say, “Why is it that our children take such a course? Why do they go contrary to our advice? We have tried to bring them up in the fear of God.” My brother, my sister, you have failed in many particulars.
Work in harmony with the school. If you have any disparaging thing to say of the teachers or officers, do not say it before the children. Think of this, and see if you have made such remarks before them in the past; and if you have, resolve, by the help of God, not to do so in the future.
While it is necessary that the parents should be in full union with the school, it is equally necessary that those who have the school in charge should do their part well.
The superintendent should always be in season and commence on time, no matter if but few are present. When it is found that punctuality is observed, pupils, as a rule, will be prompt. He should learn the lessons of the school thoroughly. If there are too many of them, then the assistant superintendent should learn a part. In asking the general questions, strive to make the exercises interesting. Study variety; study, too, to have the prayer and singing adapted to the younger minds as well as to youth and grown-up people. Each Sabbath sing something that all can join in, even the smallest.
The teachers should put earnestness and enthusiasm into their work. Let every lesson be learned perfectly. Work as though life or death were at stake. Do this, and it will be but a short time before the pupils will catch the spirit of it, and there will be but little complaining of poor lessons. Then impress the lesson on each heart by a practical application. It will be found a great help if the teacher will meet with his class once or twice a month for consultation and prayer. If there are any who do not seem to get along well, give them a kind word, praise them for what they do, and insist on perfect lessons.
Heretofore we have made no provision for means to sustain the Sabbath-school work; but at the last General Conference the subject came up, and was quite thoroughly discussed; and it was recommended that henceforth each person attending the school bring at least a penny each Sabbath. During the week let the parents provide a way for the little ones to earn some money to use as they please, and encourage them to lay aside a portion of it that when they come to the Sabbath-school they can drop it into a little box fastened near the door, or in some other convenient place. Thus a two-fold purpose will be served,—the idea of giving, of making an offering to the Lord, will be kept constantly before the mind, and the contributions necessary for the support of the Sabbath-school will be obtained without burdening any one.