SABBATH-SCHOOLS by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 6, 1879

SABBATH-SCHOOLS

By S. N. Haskell

Nothing has accomplished more for the youth and children in so brief a period of time as the revival of the Sabbath-school interest among our people. Hundreds have thus become interested in the truths of the Bible, and some have been converted to God. It has been the means of not only specially interesting parents in the Sabbath-school, but also in the salvation of their children. Wherever it has been taken hold of in the fear of God, the effect has been to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”

It has also stepped outside the limits of our own people. In some places other children, having been invited to the Sabbath-school, have become interested and this interest has extended to their parents, who by this means have been led to embrace the solemn truths of the message of Rev. 14: 9-12. Sunday-schools have also been organized, and in a few cases converted into Sabbath-schools, and this has aided in raising up active churches. This is some of the fruit resulting from efforts that have been put forth to promote the Sabbath-school interests.

Some schools have made more improvement than others, and some situated where people were much prejudiced against the truth have accomplished more than others more favorably located. This has led me to inquire into some things which are sure to make

A SUCCESSFUL SABBATH-SCHOOL.

1. I have never found a successful school for youth and children where question books or some course of systematic lessons was not used. A Bible class may be of some interest to a class of elderly men and women, where they can relate old experiences, express their opinion upon certain passages of Scripture, etc., etc.; but it does not interest the younger portion of the church.

2. If the school is too lengthy, young minds will become weary, and the good which might otherwise be accomplished will be destroyed. No Sabbath-school should hold over one hour and a half, and one hour is sometimes better.

3. A failure on the part of teachers or scholars in learning the lessons will make lessons irksome that would otherwise be interesting, and will be like canker to any Sabbath-school. Parents should set a good example in this respect, and children should realize that they are no more prepared to enter the class without their lesson than they would be if they were attending a week-day school.

4. If the superintendent, teachers, or other officers lack an interest in the salvation of the members of the school, the school will be like a withered branch, containing no moisture. They should become acquainted with God and be ever ready to point those they are instructing to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. The Sabbath-school should ever be

AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE.

It should be a place of real interest to the youth and children, and it is possible to make it so. It should be a place of instruction, where they can learn the truth in an interesting manner. Every means by which the school can be made instructive and attractive should be employed. This will require thought and planning. Some will take a lively interest in it, and the more general this feeling is the more prosperous will be the school. If the officers are so situated that they can have prayer and consultation meetings, it will be a great help; for God gives wisdom liberally to them that ask for it, and he upbraids none.

S. N. Haskell, Pres. S. S. Association.