"What do we go to the Sabbath school for?" asked a little boy of his
companion who was some years older than himself, and who had, as I
discovered by their conversation, attended the school for a long time,
that is, compared with the time which many children, boys especially,
think it of any use to go to the Sabbath school. Some boys when at the
age of twelve or fourteen years, think they are too old to receive any
benefit from Sabbath school instruction. Hearing the question of this
little boy, and observing the look of intelligence and sincerity in his
companion, and being desirous of knowing what answer would be given, I
remained within hearing of their conversation, and will try to present
to the scholars in our school, through the medium of "Our Gift," the
good reasons which he gave to his little companion, (who was his younger
brother,) why he went to the Sabbath school.
_Eld. B._ I go because I like to go, and I like to go because I always
enjoy myself there better than I do anywhere else. I find pleasure in
the singing, in the prayer, and in the lessons. The lessons are not hard
to learn when I understand them, and the learning of them is even a
pleasant task; for my teacher has a way of making our lessons
interesting to us, in hearing us recite. He asks us questions about the
subject of the lesson before using the book, and he generally finds some
interesting matter relating to it, and we become so much engaged that
the time is gone before we are aware of it, and we have to stop and wait
for the next session of the school.
_Young. B._ I like the school too, though I have been only twice. How
old was you when you first went to the Sabbath school, brother?
_Eld. B._ I was seven years old, and I am now fourteen; and I mean to
continue till I am able to take a class myself. I want to have the
pleasure of being a teacher in our school, and I hope soon to do so, for
the school is increasing very fast in numbers. There are a good many
small children coming into the school, and I think that I shall be
wanted, for I observe that there are not male teachers enough. Sometimes
one teacher has to attend to two or more classes, and the time of a
session in the school is not sufficient to do this with much advantage.
What did you learn in twice going to the school? tell me that, and then
we shall know, at least, what you went to the Sabbath school for.
_Young. B._ I will tell you. After I had said a short lesson, my teacher
gave me a little piece called "The Child's First Hymn," which she said
she found in a paper published in England. It was published for the
children of the Sabbath schools of Old England. She said it would do for
us, the children of New England, and wished me to learn it.
_Eld. B._ Well, brother, I am sure you have improved the few times that
you have attended the school. Have you learned the hymn? and how do you
like it? Let me hear you repeat it. I should like to know what the
children are taught in the Sabbath schools of Old England. Will you
please to repeat it to me?
_Young. B_ I will. I did as well as I could. I have learned the hymn,
and am much pleased with it. I think of it the last thing when I fall
asleep at night, and awake in the morning with it on my mind. But I will
repeat it to you, and you will see that I have not been to the Sabbath
school, though for so short a time, for nothing.
_The Child's First Hymn._
Listen, Father, to my prayer,
Guard me with thy tender care;
Teach a humble child to know,
The path of duty here below.
Set a watch upon my heart,
Lest an evil thought should start;
Make me gentle, kind and good,
Through the Savior's cleansing blood.
All I have, and all I see,
Ever comes, great God, from thee;
Help me from my earliest days,
In thankful hymns to sing thy praise.
Bless my parents with thy grace,
On my kindred turn thy face;
Through the darkness of the night,
Give me rest till morning bright.
Teach me day by day thy will,
With pure love my spirit fill,
Till I'm fitted for that rest,
In the mansions of the blest.
_Eld. B._ It is indeed a very pretty hymn, and I am glad you have
learned it so well. I hope you will never forget it. Here comes my
teacher; and as it will be ten minutes before the school commences, we
shall have time for conversation.