HOME INFLUENCE by Jennie Thayer

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

HOME INFLUENCE.

By Jennie Thayer

The subject of Sabbath-schools, and the best methods of conducting them in order to bring in and retain as many of the youth as possible, and give them lasting benefit, is the one now being agitated; and though this is an important work, is there not a more important one to be performed at our homes? Can the Sabbath-school to any great degree counteract the influence of home? It is at home that the character is formed; if a child is trained by parents who fear God, reverence his word, and delight in his holy day, will he not be so educated in the love of God’s precepts that they will have a stronger influence over his youthful heart and mind than any other agency can exert? There are exceptions, but in general it cannot be expected that children will take much interest in anything that is regarded as of little importance by the parents; but they will embrace with enthusiasm any project which animates the mind of father and mother. Then, to make this work successful, it must first be adopted by the parents as one in which they have an essential part to act.

It would certainly be expected that a people who have received the light of present truth, and are looking for the return of their Heavenly King so soon, would be more engaged in the study of his sacred word than any other people. It is quite customary in some places among the members of the popular churches for the entire family to assemble in the parlor on Sunday evening and investigate the lesson for the next Sunday, each individual answering in turn, and asking questions if any point is not clearly understood. At family devotions during the week, some passage of Scripture is read that has a direct relation to the lesson; Saturday afternoon and evening particular attention is given to instructing the smaller children; and on Sunday morning another general exercise is had, to make it certain that the lessons are correctly learned.

The teacher comes to the class with notes and remarks taken from Bible dictionaries and commentaries; the pupils, having read explanations of the lesson in four or five different places, are anxious to impart the new ideas gained, and there is a mutual exchange of questions and comments, in the midst of which, very much to their surprise and regret, the bell strikes the close of the hour. Such schools are enjoyable, and the practice of studying together at home, of having all enlisted in the work, is what makes them so. And will not more be attracted to such schools than to those where the teacher asks all the questions, and perhaps answers a good part of them?

Again, when you go out into the world, every stratagem is tried to get you into the Sunday-school. You are given to understand that it is expected, without fail, that you will become a member; your help is wanted, or there is a very intelligent class in the school where you will find most congenial associates, or you are now a member of our family and we insist upon all of our children attending the Sunday-school. Thus by appealing to your philanthropy, flattering your pride, or by parental authority, they endeavor to accomplish their design; and they do not wait till you have been with them some time, but commence the first Sunday. As two rest days in succession are not duly appreciated by active young people, one need not wonder that when entirely surrounded by those who observe the first day of the week, our youth whose hearts are not converted conform to the general usage and forget the Sabbath of the Lord. Notwithstanding, if they have grown up under the refining, elevating, strengthening influences of a Christian home, and have been taught the reasons of the faith and hope of their parents, their home will be so attractive that they will not be anxious to leave it at the first opportunity, but will remain there till their habits and principles are established; or, if they are called away, the remembrance of the sacred associations of home will be a powerful bond to keep them in the path of rectitude, and a mother’s approving smile on the side of right will hold against the frowns of the whole world.

JENNIE THAYER.