p. 101 | SABBATH-SCHOOLS by Geo. W. Amadon

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 16, 1860

SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By Geo. W. Amadon

A REQUEST.

DEAR BROTHER: I want to ask a few questions in regard to the best mode of conducting

Sabbath-schools. If it would not be too much trouble, please publish in the Review a synopsis of the most approved mode for conducting a Sabbath-school. It would not only be a help to those about to commence schools, but it would doubtless be a means of producing harmony of action in this direction. We desire to start a school in our place, where the children have been going to four different schools: their parents have been as different in their belief as Presbyterians are from Universalists. Now I think, as most of us read the Review something of this sort appearing in the paper in which they all delight, would make it comparatively an easy matter to go forward. Yours for concentration of action. JESSE DORCAS. Tipton, Iowa.

REMARKS.—As Bro. D. has made this request, and as I have an interest in Sabbath Schools and Bible classes, I will briefly give my opinion. Hope that others who feel an interest in the Sabbath School enterprise will speak on this point too. As for myself, I don't pretend to understand the best method of conducting exercises of this character, but of course follow the best plan we have found out as yet. Perhaps it will be as well to state our manner of conducting the Sabbath School at Battle Creek as anything else that we could offer on this point.

We have a School here which numbers about fifty members in all—some forty scholars, seven teachers, and a superintendent. We meet after the forenoon meeting at half past eleven, and continue the School one hour. The exercises are commenced by singing some piece in which all can unite, and then follows a prayer, during which, of course, every member of the school kneels. On arising from prayer the teachers immediately commence hearing the classes recite their lesson, which is usually some six or eight verses of the Bible. These are committed to memory, and repeated in order by each scholar in the class—that is, the first scholar repeats a verse, his neighbor the next, and the other the next, and so on: or sometimes we let each scholar repeat the whole lesson, just as thought best. Then the teacher begins to ask questions on what they have recited, taking each verse in order as they come. And the scholars also ask questions if they choose, and after this manner the lesson is disposed of. We will suppose now that about three quarters of an hour have passed off in the school. Next the superintendent announces a change in the exercises, the teachers and scholars all suspend their communications, while he gives out the following lesson, and proceeds to make remarks upon the one already recited. In this way the minds of the whole school travel over the lesson pretty thoroughly. Here is a good chance also to exhort, encourage and interest the School which most certainly should be done. Perhaps some teacher wants to make a remark to the scholars, now is the time to do it; or some one wants light on a passage of scripture, and if there is any in the house he now gets it. By this time it is half past twelve and the hour is up. A hymn is now sung from the Youth's Collection of hymns, or the larger book—we use both—and the exercises conclude.

This is our manner of conducting the Sabbath School in Battle Creek. Whether it is the best or not we don't decide, but we can say this much, that our school, while following this plan, has thrived steadily with no perceptible abatement of interest. All of us—old and young—take great satisfaction in the Sabbath School at Battle Creek. We think it is an excellent means of grace to help the youth, an institution of God's own appointment.

When we first organized, three years ago, we used Bro. Cottrell's Lessons, and have gone through the book twice. We would by all means recommend to every Sabbath School to begin with that book. It was written especially for Sabbath Schools, and as far as my opinion goes it is just the book for the purpose for which it was intended. Some, we understand, are using the "Bible Student's Assistant," and "Concordance to Scripture Subjects," as text-books in the Sabbath School, but we think it would be much better to use the "Bible Class" in their place, and let these occupy their proper place as books of reference.

The manner in which we employed the "Bible Class" was this: the lesson was recited to the several teachers, they bringing in Bible to correspond and amplifying as they thought best. Then the superintendent occupied ten or fifteen minutes in asking general questions on the lesson, talked some to the school, etc. He also heard each scholar and teacher recite a short verse of scripture. This they learned where they pleased, and as hardly any two would have the same text, we used to have a great variety of Bible, and it greatly added to the interest of our school.

A few words further and I close. I am glad that an interest is awakening in respect to the Sabbath-school. Brethren and sisters, it is a profitable and pleasant exercise. Here is a broad avenue where good may be done. Here is a chance to mould the tender heart, and accomplish everlasting good. "Just as the twig is bent the tree is inclined." If children are taught to think and act right when they are small, they will continue to do so afterwards. And how much good can be accomplished in the Sabbath-school, eternity alone will tell. We know that judicious training will save the young from sin now, and God's word assures us, from hell hereafter. I most earnestly hope that every one will feel called upon to work with all their might while the day lasts. If you can get half a dozen or more children together, organize, have your Sabbath-school regular, then you will do good, and when the Master comes, you will get your pay a thousand fold. Don't neglect to inform, to admonish, and to instruct the children. If Jesus Christ blessed them when on earth, he will bless them now, and bless those also who try to make themselves a blessing to the young.

The Lord help us all to work while the day lasts. GEO. W. AMADON. Battle Creek, Mich.