THE SABBATH-SCHOOL A PLEASURE.
The Sabbath-school is the place of worship; it is also a place for Bible study. It is not a sociable; it is not a place for lounging; it is a provision for restful work in the intellectual and spiritual line; in the intellectual because of an inner spiritual. That there may be profitable study, there must be good order. There is less wear and tear of the nervous system in one hour of well-disciplined order and restraint than in one hour of freedom and confusion. Rest is change of occupation rather than suspension of activity. A true student rests by reading lighter or different literature from that upon which he has been concentrating his attention closely. A laboring man rests by thinking and reading. The service of song and prayer and class study, which we call the Sabbath-school, should be rest to all who participate in it, even when its order is strict, its worship thoughtful, and its intellectual exertions intense. We should not make the Sabbath a dread to our young people, but, by kindling in them spiritual tastes, and impressing upon them the importance of spiritual truth, make them eager to know about the "things of the kingdom." They study five days in the week in the secular schools and learn nothing about God; they need on the Sabbath-day to bring the same mental forces which are employed during the week, and consecrate them to the study of the divine character, law, and government. That Sabbath-school which has the best order, the closest programme, the sharpest drills, the most concentrated intellectual attention, the most fervent spiritual exercises, is the Sabbath-school which is most restful to its members. The Sabbath day that is filled from early morning until dewy eve with home devotion and conversation, public worship and Bible study, is the Sabbath from which people go forth rested and invigorated, and prepared for the activities of the following week.—S. S. Journal.