Family Sabbath-Schools.
By M. C. Israel
There are, doubtless, many families of Sabbath keepers scattered throughout the State, who, on account of their isolated condition, have not the privileges and benefits of the church and Sabbath-school. To these we would say that under such circumstances it is found to be an excellent plan to form family Sabbath-schools. We know of such schools being in operation in the State at the present time, which have proved to be beneficial in the highest degree to these families. "The new weekly Instructor furnishes dated lessons for every Sabbath, so that the scattered families can all be studying the same lessons that are learned from Sabbath to Sabbath in the schools. Then if they should at any time have opportunity to meet with any school, or any other family, all would have learned the same lesson, and would be prepared to unite in recitation and general exercises. A family Sabbath-school should begin and close at a definite time, just like any other school. It would be better to have it held in the forenoon, beginning somewhere from nine to half-past ten, and continuing from an hour to an hour and a quarter. The exercises should begin with singing and prayer, and the interest would hold out better if there should be singing once or twice during the exercises, and at the close. The parents can hear each other recite, and then hear the lessons of the children. In all cases where there are children in the family, the exercises should be adapted to their wants, and so conducted as to give them frequent change. In this way the hour will pass quickly and pleasantly, and the children will soon learn to look forward to their Sabbath-school with fond anticipations. The general exercises may consist of reviews on former lessons, pointing out important places on the map, etc. The afternoon may be spent in reading, and in learning the lessons for the next Sabbath. Thus the Sabbath, instead of being a long, tedious day, will become a delight." It is the earnest desire of the State Sabbath-school Association that the families who have not as yet engaged in this great work, will immediately fall into line, form their schools, and report the same to the State Secretary, W. J. Bostwick, Oakland, so that a general report of such schools can be presented at the annual meeting of the Association to be held in connection with the coming camp-meeting. The report should consist of the number of members, mode of conducting exercises, methods used, and any items of interest that may be developed.