THE SABBATH-SCHOOL INTEREST.
By S. N. Haskell
There is no enterprise connected with God's work of more importance at the present day than the Sabbath-school interest. Its object is twofold; first, to give old and young a better understanding of God's word; second, to make impressions on the minds of children which they will not only carry with them through this life, but into eternity. The mind is to be disciplined for Heaven in this world. There is no greater cause of infidelity among the rising generation than the fact that the Bible history was never real to them. The Bible countries are imaginary. The lands spoken of in the Scriptures are so different at the present time from what they were, that scarcely any resemblance is now seen. The Bible characters are not now upon the stage of action, therefore the reality of Bible scenes is not felt. There is no place like the Sabbath-school to make these scenes a reality. It should therefore ever be the object of the Sabbath-school to become familiar with Bible truths; and that teacher who accomplishes the most is the one who excels in this direction. A mere form or theory of the lesson will never bring success, but it requires a heart that is full, and which overflows with the subject that can make the lesson interesting. Hence, every help that can aid the teacher and scholar in thoroughly understanding the country in which the scene transpired, the people and the circumstances which called forth the words spoken, is of great value. If there is no interest taken to fill the minds with new and fresh ideas concerning the subject, other means will have to be resorted to besides the truths themselves to interest the scholars, and such an interest is not calculated to impress the mind with divine things. It detracts from the reality of Bible subjects. This evil is seen in many of the Sunday-schools at the present day. It only educates the mind for skepticism in future years. It is in view of these facts that special efforts have been made to provide valuable works as helps to the study of the Scriptures. There is no work which throws so much light on the present system of the New Testament lessons, as the Spirit of Prophecy, read in connection with the four evangelists. It gives the mind and feelings of the people, and thus we get a clearer idea of the intent and object of the Scriptures. It is thus the mind becomes changed and susceptible to the operations of God's Holy Spirit.