SABBATH SCHOOLS by G. W. Amadon

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 20, 1861

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

By G. W. Amadon

We think we see the importance of again calling attention to this subject. God is now accomplishing his last merciful work for both old and young. And what good we can do must be done quickly. Not many more years will run their weary course before Jesus Christ will again make a visit to this earth, not in the capacity of a merciful High Priest, but as the judge of quick and dead. Yes, we most firmly believe that we are just on the confines of the great time of trouble spoken of in Daniel and John, and that very soon the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In view of this, let us work while the day lasts, for the dark night of death and anguish is right upon us. But to the point in question.

Our duty to the youth and children may be plainly inferred from Old-Testament examples. Said God to our forefathers in Canaan, "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. AND YE SHALL TEACH THEM YOUR CHILDREN, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." Deut. xi, 18-20.

Here is most plainly marked out the duty of the people of God in relation to instructing their children in the "things of God." We understand these words to enjoin Sabbath-School instruction, Bible-class exercise, home catechising, and every such means of benefitting the rising generation. And this is not a matter that we can dally over without incurring the just displeasure of Him who has thus plainly spoken. The command is imperative, it runs thus: "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your hearts," "And ye shall teach them your children," "And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house." &c. Whoso readeth let him understand.

My soul trembles when I think how much God's people fail of coming up to Bible requirements. We live in the time when the prophet says, God shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, Mal. iv, 6, and what does this mean except home catechising and Sabbath-school instruction? Whatever it does teach, it certainly means this. Children are too much neglected by those who might and should help them. Those who are entreated to take hold and labor in the Sabbath-School often plead inability. This is sometimes the case, but more often it is not. The truth is, there is too much pride in all this—a fear that we shall not come up to some other person's gift. But most any person will succeed admirably, who strikes out trusting in the Lord, and feels that his sufficiency is of God. How much we all lack the missionary spirit. What we want is to see young men and young women filled with the Spirit of Christ, and taking hold of this work as though they loved it, and felt its importance.

The duty of imparting Bible instruction to children is plainly inferred from the commendable manner in which Paul speaks of Timothy. Says he, "From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." And the credit of all this must be awarded to Timothy's pious mother and grandmother. They remembered the command of God to teach the children; they obeyed it and their labors were blessed of heaven.

We now close our remarks by calling upon all the readers of the Review to inquire into the matter and see if they are doing their duty to the children. As for me, I never saw the importance of Bible-Class and Sabbath-School instruction as to-day, and shall labor on till He that took little children in his arms shall say to all, Well done, wear the crown.

G. W. AMADON.